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Essay of the Week

wa_gaza-conflict

Another war involving Israel and once again people all over the world and the intranet are taking sides.

And once again barrages of silly arguments fly through the air – missing reality by a mile and only damaging egos …

Read the rest of this entry »

orangeguru (01-01 22:21) | 2 Comments | Permalink


UltraOrange Blog

Anne Clark - Our Darkness

A blast from the 80’s from the no future generation. Aside from the consumerist crowd of Thatcherism and Reaganomics there was an alternative scene, quite worried about the clash of humanity and technology.

Sometimes I wonder if they were right about the times we live in now?

orangeguru (01-07 18:30) | No Comments | Permalink
I see a great mountain to climb in 2009

sleaze_lichelle-marie-breast

Don’t concentrate on the pain and effort to climb the mountain, focus instead on the pleasure of finally making it to the top!

There is a climax to every challenge.

orangeguru (01-07 17:21) | No Comments | Permalink
Hacking some people’s account can result in brilliant fake messages

digital_twitter_hacked_twitterphish

Best tweet ever.

I hope the Hackers never get caught, unless they did some serious damage.

orangeguru (01-07 17:09) | No Comments | Permalink
Food is once again a Weapon in the Global Competition

wa_food_is_a_weapon_propaganda_poster

World Food production relies heavily on oil for fertilizer, production and transport. So with the spike in oil prices food become for many poor people unaffordable. Starvation and malnutrition was the immediate consequence for these fellow humans.

So each time food is wasted, oil is wasted.

Conservation should be a commandment for every human on this planet. Especially since overpopulation on one side and the destruction of the environment seriously limits the food supply.

So if you throw away food, you are not killing poor little babies in Africa – but you are certainly wasting a valuable resource.

People in rich countries don’t have to live total frugal, but some efforts to cut down on waste should be made anyway.

orangeguru (01-07 17:01) | No Comments | Permalink
Is Cold Fusion finally fulfilling it’s promise of being the perfect energy source?

science_cold_fusion_in_garching

Spiegel Online: Energy of the Stars, With No Emissions

According to the article in the Spiegel scientist have made some serious advancements in figuring out how to pack the power of the sun into a small reactor.

If Cold Fusion ever works as advertised it could deliver huge amount of energy for almost nothing. Most of all it runs with hydrogen – which is the most common element in the Universe. So no fear we will ever run out of hydrogen …

Let’s keep our fingers crossed and our scientists well funded. Cold Fusion power could really save our world and combat climate change very effectively, because it produces no emissions at all.

orangeguru (01-07 16:29) | No Comments | Permalink
The Monster on your head – the Logitech G35 Dolby Surround Headset

logitech_g35_dolby_surround_headset_news

It is amazing how much money kids and overgrown gamers spend for just killing each. This headset monstrosity is a mixture between a helmet and stereo system. How much electronics do you need to blow a loud "boooooom" into a 14 year old brain?

And this thing adds to the already huge energy bill of gaming systems as well: the overpowered processor, incredibly power hungry graphic card(s) and cooling systems.

Madness.

Why don’t you try beating each other with sticks? That much more exciting and at least you get some exercise?!

orangeguru (01-07 16:19) | No Comments | Permalink
Let’s kill some cars - the Top Gear way

I love Top Gear – although I hate cars and never owned one in my miserable life.

Here Jeremy demonstrates the real use for cars anyway – as targets for utter destruction with various "toys".

Enjoy!

orangeguru (01-07 16:00) | No Comments | Permalink
No more Gas - Russia vs Ukraine vs Europe

wa_gas_conflict

This is becoming an annual ritual: Russia and Ukraine fight over the gas bill – and the supplies for the rest of Europe are cut off or seriously limited.

And once again it happens.

The reasons why Russia fights with the Ukraine are superficial. Russia simply wants to force the Ukraine back under it’s political sphere of influence. The Ukraine is smart enough to getting closer to Europe – maybe a EU and Nato membership. And that pisses of the Russians, who still consider Ukraine a Russian province.

Cutting of the gas supplies is not just a warning to the Ukraine, but to all of Europe: "If you come any closer we fuck you up!"

Russian strongman politics at it’s best and Europe needs to help the Ukraine to stop czar Putin.

I actually SUPPORT these politics. The sooner Europe realized we simply can’t rely on Russia and it’s erratic behavior and childish Hyperpower fantasies the better.

Alternative fuels must be pushed harder and developed sooner to end the dependency on foreign (read mostly Russian) gas and oil.

orangeguru (01-07 15:56) | No Comments | Permalink
Harsh Winter in Europe – except in Munich

wa_harsh_winter_in_Europe

While almost all of Europe is freezing and under heavy snow there is hardly any here in Munich.

The God finally must have heard my prayers and spared the white curse.

Lucky me.

orangeguru (01-07 15:46) | No Comments | Permalink
Riding the Wave – beneath the Wave

nature_under_the_sea_stingray

Click image for more water.

It must be amazing to "fly" under water like this fellow here. Gee, I love watching the creatures of the oceans. They are amazing.

orangeguru (01-05 18:00) | No Comments | Permalink
The orgiastic Herr Hitler

historica_orgiastic_mister_hitler

Click image for a bigger Schmusefest.

German women went absolutely bonkers over the Führer. They fainted, screamed and moistened when he was around or when he spoke.

Hitler was a rockstar in his "better years" and women craved his attention.

Until his very end Hitler was single and had quite a following. But the Führer himself was neither very progressive nor charming to the Ladies.

Women voted in droves for Herrn Hitler.

A detailed essay on Hitler and women can be found here.

orangeguru (01-05 17:55) | No Comments | Permalink
Floating into 2009 – did you make any plans or resolutions?!

spiritual_floating_into_2009

Click image for more nature.

The human desire for rituals is often amazing and equally predictable. We love grand gestures like the beginning of a new year or our birthday to "make important decisions" and "change directions" for the better.

All too human.

Yes, we all should work on ourselves and spend some thoughts on how to change (and implement that change).

But attaching ones development to silly dates is not very convincing. If you need to change – change now. Don’t wait for your birthday or new years eve. It sounds like a lame excuse.

Your life didn’t start and won’t end on a "nice & special" date.

Life is now and so is change.

orangeguru (01-05 17:42) | No Comments | Permalink
A very convenient Escalation for Hamas

wa_gaza_escalation

For Hamas this escalation is very helpful – not for the people in Gaza. Israel gave Hamas the cold shoulder and the blockade showed who is pulling the strings.

Did the militants really thing you can "bomb" Israel to the negotiation table or even defeat this mighty Army? Hamas is not Hezbollah.

And provoking Israel will always result in revenge attacks.

Terrorism doesn’t work, when you are in Government and you are supposed to protect your people. Hamas did a lot of great community work (with Iranian money). Terrorist can hit & run, but your people can’t.

More to the point: you are just reinforcing the point your enemies are making – that you are a irresponsible terrorist organization only bent on destruction and chaos.

wa_gaza_escalation_suicide_bomber_kid

The Martyr and Death cult are not brilliant political visions for a society.

Terrorism is a mighty political tool and it can help to free your people. But any political movement has to know, when to use brutality and when to use political smarts.

Hamas is so in love with it’s radical agenda that is has no real concept how peace and prosperity should look like.

Just building hospitals and rockets is not a way to peace. A wider political vision and will are needed – and Hamas doesn’t have it.

orangeguru (01-05 17:31) | No Comments | Permalink
Return of the Squirrel

weird_return_of_the_squirrels

I have somewhat different memories of  Star Wars IV, but I am getting old.

orangeguru (01-05 17:14) | No Comments | Permalink
The Sound of Pain and Experience

I love the sound of that impact. Life is harsh and so is the internet by recording all the nasty stuff that has happened to you as a kid.

orangeguru (01-03 1:27) | No Comments | Permalink
Wish for 2009: No more Mac vs. PC ads from Apple

personal_apple_mac_vs_pc_hodgman_mac

As much as I like John Hodgman, but all advertising campaigns have to end some day. Even the bad ones.

Apple think different and come up with something new.

Although there are some good spoof out there.

orangeguru (01-03 1:24) | 2 Comments | Permalink
Tree Spider in perfect camo

nature_tree_spider

I will never ever again hug a tree!

orangeguru (01-03 1:18) | 3 Comments | Permalink
You don’t need actual sex, you can always fake it

modern_axe-towel_hands

modern_axe-towel_legs

Good thing that modern consumerism provides excellent products to fake a healthy sexual life and being desired. 

orangeguru (01-03 1:13) | No Comments | Permalink
Nerdy TV Shows – The IT Crowd and The Big bang Theroy

tv_the-it-crowd

Roy, Jen, Moss and the Boss.

There are currently two nerdy shows on the telly: The IT Crowd and The Big Bang Theory. Booth are very different.

The IT Crowd is British and it’s humor is often very dry, satirical and even nasty. How often do you see a nerd comedy show that makes fun of Gays or people in wheelchairs?

I love those two underdogs Roy and Moss. The slacker nerd and the anti-social computer genius. They are the It department of Reynholm Industries – and their department head Jen has NO clue about computers.

They get into all sort of trouble in the Office and their private lives.

TV_the_big_bang_theory_three_stooges

Sheldon, Leonard, Penny.

The Big Bang Theory is more the usual American sitcom style – although it’s humor is very witty and nerdy. A real treat for the generation net.

Sheldon and Leonard are young scientists, hardly able to cope with normal life and social relationships. Leonard falls in love with his rather dumb, but socially adept neighbor Penny.

Personally I prefer the IT Crowd for it’s nasty depth and it’s awkwardness and characters.

The Big bang Theory has the better Nerd humor and insider jokes (mostly science and nerdom based stuff).

So if you are a bit of a nerd (and I mean that in a good way), than watching these might be fun.

You might be scared like me finding out how much of these nerdy jokes you actually understand and even find amusing …

orangeguru (01-03 1:07) | No Comments | Permalink
Camera extension

modern_child_labor_photography

Ah, finally I get it what kids are made for …

I’ll order one for my camera asap from Amazon.

orangeguru (01-03 0:49) | No Comments | Permalink
Bombing for Beginners

war_bombing_instructions

Back in the good old days, when bomber at least had to get over their targets and face some flak before killing innocent people …

Damn those guided missiles and smart bombs.

War ain’t fun anymore.

orangeguru (01-03 0:45) | No Comments | Permalink
Herbert Draper - The Gates of Dawn 1900

Herbert Draper - The Gates of Dawn 1900

1. Click player below to start the music.

2. Click the image to dive into the art.

3. Study for two and a half minutes this great piece of art and all the drama.

Ah, breathtaking and awe inspiring art by Maestro Draper! He is truly a Master of dramatic moments and gentle colors.

Aurora is the Roman Goddess of Dawn is looking at from the gate. From Wikipedia:

In ancient Roman mythology Aurora, goddess of the dawn, renews herself every morning and flies across the sky, announcing the arrival of the sun. Her parentage was flexible: for Ovid she could equally be Pallantis, signifying the daughter of Pallas,[1] or the daughter of Hyperion.[2] She has two siblings, a brother (Sol, the sun) and a sister (Luna, the moon), and four children, the Winds

Aurora appears most often in Latin poetry with one of her mortal lovers. A myth taken from the Greek Eos by Roman poets tells that one of her lovers was the prince of Troy, Tithonus. Tithonus was a mortal, and would age and die. Wanting to be with her lover for all eternity, Aurora asked Zeus to grant immortality to Tithonus. Zeus granted her wish, however Aurora had failed to ask him for eternal youth. As a result, Tithonus ended up aging eternally. Aurora ended up turning her beloved Tithonus into a grasshopper.

orangeguru (01-03 0:39) | No Comments | Permalink
Damn, I also want a Dog’s Life!

weird_bernhardiner_in_the_sun

Click image for more fur.

I want to be born a dog in Switzerland in my next life.

Anything else would be too stressful.

orangeguru (01-02 15:14) | No Comments | Permalink
Foxmarks – the best way to Backup und Sync your Bookmarks on one or several Computers

tools_foxmark_logo

For Firefox users only:

If you are "heavy internet surfer" like me – you collect hundreds and even thousands of bookmarks.

Foxmarks won’t help you organizing your bookmarks, but it will backup and sync them for you.

A good bookmark collection is worth a lot of time, but no browser makes automatic backups for you.

Foxmarks allows you to save your bookmark collection onto their servers or your own. You obviously need a free account for the first option.

tools_foxmark_backup

If you use several different (like in work and at home) Foxmarks can help you to sync your bookmarks on each machine – so they are on each machine the same.

This works really really really well: you can have three computers running and creating new bookmarks on each machine. Foxmarks will sync the new bookmarks from each machine to the others without any problems.

It even allows you to backup and sync password across several machines. A feature I hardly use, since I prefer to keep such important data to myself …

But otherwise Foxmarks is highly recommended.

Website: Foxmarks.com

orangeguru (01-01 18:08) | 2 Comments | Permalink


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    Internal Affairs

      Thursday 1.1.2009 – First day:

      Just had a nice early walk. Almost everybody was still asleep, the streets deserted and only the birds sang. Why can't the city always be so quiet and empty. Around midday my fellow Bavarians awoke and filled the city again. Bah!

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      Sunday 5.10.2008 - Radio Silence:

      Sorry - but my blogging is very irregular these days. I have been very busy finding a new place to live. Finally I can report that I have found a charming place here in Munich - and I will move soon. After settling down my blogging should be speedier and more regular again ...


      Wednesday 16.7.2008 - Summer seems go:

      Bloody hell - I have been very busy in recent weeks - so my blog suffered a bit from my lack of time. Sorry! But it seems autumn is coming early in Germany this year. The recent week saw loads of rain, storms and a huge fall in temperature. Feels like autumn already. I hate it.


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      This is supposed to be summer by now - instead people are running around in autumn clothes. This ain't fun. Bad weather is ruining my mood, my inspiration and my will to live. Sunshine please ... pretty please ...






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