Green Point 31st December, 2006
As I write this, just a few hours are left of the year 2006
My background music comes thanks to Giuseppe Verdi and his Requiem. The last sections are titled
'Lux Eterna' and 'Libera Me' literally translated 'Ever lasting light' and 'liberate me'
Earlier today the main news item on Australian Television, like probably all around the world, were the pictures of the last minutes of Saddam Hussein, hanged on this day in Baghdad.
What could be seen as an act of personal defiance I changed my desktop picture today to showing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the word PEACE adorned for one of the last New Years Eve celebrations.
New Years resolutions are hovering around the place, waiting to be taken – and more importantly – waiting to be put into practice. Knowing myself, I guess I will resist the temptation.
As far as the world goes, the world in which we all live, the year was, it seems to me, a mixed bag of the good, the bad and the ugly.
As a statistically minded person I am acutely aware of the fact that averages are often made up of extremes on either side of the scale.
However, there are also averages which are largely made up of middle values, not too bad, not too good either.
The end result can be the same – in statistical terms.
Looking back on 2006 and the world we all live in I come, tentatively, to the conclusion that this one is more one of the latter category.
And that, I must admit, seems also to apply to the world, I live in.
There are a few highlights I can look back on and some low points. And not surprisingly, most of these somehow involve friends, family and people around me.
And whilst the highlights seem to outshine the low moments, the death of a good old friend late this year has made a lasting impact on my overall assessment.
Knowing, however, that his departure from this world was something he looked forward to as the ravages of old age had made his last few months devoid of quality of life, it was ultimately a blessing for him, but none the less a sad occasion for those left behind.
As an eternal optimist I am inclined to believe that 2007 will, all in all, be better.
My power of influence is obviously largely confined to the world I live in as opposed to the world we all live in.
However, I have all intentions to at least try to use this limited capacity to my disposal to make this world a better place. How far that extends – I will see in 12 months time.
I wish you all, who ever that may be, a happy New Year.
Sunday, 31 December 2006
Saturday, 30 December 2006
atomic energy, the way not to go
Green Point 30th December, 2006
A couple of days ago, a Prime Minister inspired and appointed group of scientists has tabled a report into the topic of the usage of atomic energy.
I have not read the report but rely on press reports on the very basics and essence of the report.
The report supports the use of atomic energy and Mr Howard seems very happy about that. An outcome which is not too surprising given the genesis of the group which made the finding.
He even 'craves' living next to a nuclear power plant. And that is what seems to prove my point. He does not consider the actual problem.
The thing is, we have been fairly good in constructing atomic energy power plants which are safe to run and operate, however, as so often in the past, we have not yet mastered the technical problems arising from the waste and ultimately from the left overs of decommissioned plants, once their useful lifespan has been reached.
I am no scientist and don't know a lot about uranium, atomic energy etc. What I know comes from the various media and my observation of the discussion of the subject over the last 30 years here in Australia and in Germany. (A country which a few years ago has OPTED OUT of nuclear energy. And those Germans aren't known to be dumb-arses when it comes to technology)
One of my observations seems to be that most if not all proponents of the use of atomic energy are eerily silent on the matter of waste storage.
During a recent visit to Germany I was listening to a radio broadcast where the subject was discussed and it was reported that one of the arguments of the atomic energy industry, namely that spent fuel rods can be re-conditioned and used again – hence implying reduction if not elimination of waste – is a furphy and, as far as the nuclear power plant is concerned, which was subject of the discussion, has never been done because the re-conditioned fuel rods are not of the quality which is required to produce nuclear energy.
The history of industrialisation over the last 100 years is full of examples where the use of new technologies has led to serious problems of waste disposal and/or serious environmental problems in the long term and widespread use of those technological advances.
And it seems that only in the last 25 years or so the idea has taken hold in the wider community that we need to consider 'the day after' meaning what happens with the waste and by-products of technological innovations after they have served their primary purpose.
As I understand it, with nuclear waste, the problem is not one of days, weeks, months or years but hundreds if not thousands of years which we have to be mindful about, since the waste of that industry is highly active and dangerous for such a long period.
Given the lack of exploration and serious investment – as far as Australia is concerned – into naturally occurring and self-renewing energy sources such as wind, sun, ocean tides, bio gas etc. I feel that we would have our priorities seriously wrong if we were to start embarking on investment into nuclear energy.
And more importantly, waste management of nuclear waste material has to be solved FIRST, comprehensively and beyond scientific doubt.
In other words if you can't convince me that
We know where and how to store the stuff
Manage the risks involved, eg leaking, misuse,
And have the organisational and administrative framework in place which guarantees the orderly waste management for as long as the waste needs that management – that is a few thousand years –
you won't convince me that usage of atomic energy is a good idea. It may be a crash hot idea (pun intended) but not a good one.
A couple of days ago, a Prime Minister inspired and appointed group of scientists has tabled a report into the topic of the usage of atomic energy.
I have not read the report but rely on press reports on the very basics and essence of the report.
The report supports the use of atomic energy and Mr Howard seems very happy about that. An outcome which is not too surprising given the genesis of the group which made the finding.
He even 'craves' living next to a nuclear power plant. And that is what seems to prove my point. He does not consider the actual problem.
The thing is, we have been fairly good in constructing atomic energy power plants which are safe to run and operate, however, as so often in the past, we have not yet mastered the technical problems arising from the waste and ultimately from the left overs of decommissioned plants, once their useful lifespan has been reached.
I am no scientist and don't know a lot about uranium, atomic energy etc. What I know comes from the various media and my observation of the discussion of the subject over the last 30 years here in Australia and in Germany. (A country which a few years ago has OPTED OUT of nuclear energy. And those Germans aren't known to be dumb-arses when it comes to technology)
One of my observations seems to be that most if not all proponents of the use of atomic energy are eerily silent on the matter of waste storage.
During a recent visit to Germany I was listening to a radio broadcast where the subject was discussed and it was reported that one of the arguments of the atomic energy industry, namely that spent fuel rods can be re-conditioned and used again – hence implying reduction if not elimination of waste – is a furphy and, as far as the nuclear power plant is concerned, which was subject of the discussion, has never been done because the re-conditioned fuel rods are not of the quality which is required to produce nuclear energy.
The history of industrialisation over the last 100 years is full of examples where the use of new technologies has led to serious problems of waste disposal and/or serious environmental problems in the long term and widespread use of those technological advances.
And it seems that only in the last 25 years or so the idea has taken hold in the wider community that we need to consider 'the day after' meaning what happens with the waste and by-products of technological innovations after they have served their primary purpose.
As I understand it, with nuclear waste, the problem is not one of days, weeks, months or years but hundreds if not thousands of years which we have to be mindful about, since the waste of that industry is highly active and dangerous for such a long period.
Given the lack of exploration and serious investment – as far as Australia is concerned – into naturally occurring and self-renewing energy sources such as wind, sun, ocean tides, bio gas etc. I feel that we would have our priorities seriously wrong if we were to start embarking on investment into nuclear energy.
And more importantly, waste management of nuclear waste material has to be solved FIRST, comprehensively and beyond scientific doubt.
In other words if you can't convince me that
We know where and how to store the stuff
Manage the risks involved, eg leaking, misuse,
And have the organisational and administrative framework in place which guarantees the orderly waste management for as long as the waste needs that management – that is a few thousand years –
you won't convince me that usage of atomic energy is a good idea. It may be a crash hot idea (pun intended) but not a good one.
Wednesday, 27 December 2006
Green Point Palace 27th December, 2006
Every now and then I insist on proving to myself my carpentry prowess.
That is despite the fact that last time, a couple of years ago,
and the time before, a couple of years before that,
the results or lack there off prompted me to promise myself not to try these things again.
This time it was an old rickety little outside table which needed (still needs) replacement.
Having a large amount of wonderful old hardwood (hard being the operative word) under the house, I collected all the needed timber, set up the circular saw, got out all the power-tools required, bought $80.00 worth of hardware and started the job.
I'll save you the details of 5 hours labour but the result was that I ended up with
A few broken drills
A blister on my thumb
A seriously crook back
A fair bit of saw dust
$70 worth of hardware unused
A hardwood contraption which even Miss Marple would not identify as something destined to replace a rickety old outside table, ready for the dump
And a rickety old outside table, still in its usual place, which can't wipe a sarcastic, evil smile of its face.
Now I can look forward to approximately two carpentry free years.
I just have to watch the business news carefully in order not to miss the point in time when the world market prices for drill bits and angle brackets are going through the roof.
Every now and then I insist on proving to myself my carpentry prowess.
That is despite the fact that last time, a couple of years ago,
and the time before, a couple of years before that,
the results or lack there off prompted me to promise myself not to try these things again.
This time it was an old rickety little outside table which needed (still needs) replacement.
Having a large amount of wonderful old hardwood (hard being the operative word) under the house, I collected all the needed timber, set up the circular saw, got out all the power-tools required, bought $80.00 worth of hardware and started the job.
I'll save you the details of 5 hours labour but the result was that I ended up with
A few broken drills
A blister on my thumb
A seriously crook back
A fair bit of saw dust
$70 worth of hardware unused
A hardwood contraption which even Miss Marple would not identify as something destined to replace a rickety old outside table, ready for the dump
And a rickety old outside table, still in its usual place, which can't wipe a sarcastic, evil smile of its face.
Now I can look forward to approximately two carpentry free years.
I just have to watch the business news carefully in order not to miss the point in time when the world market prices for drill bits and angle brackets are going through the roof.
Monday, 25 December 2006
now the fine tuning
GPP 25th December, 2006
seeing the result of my picture trick I have to learn a bit more about formatting and things like that.
Next thing will be to try out a very long text. And I really mean long!
seeing the result of my picture trick I have to learn a bit more about formatting and things like that.
Next thing will be to try out a very long text. And I really mean long!
Sunday, 24 December 2006
Jochen tries the photo trick
GPP 25th December, 2006
well guys, this 25th December is going to become a herd of bloggs
what would be the collective noun for bloggs. Anyway, we'll solve that problem later.
Now I want to try this photo thingy. Bear with me for a moment
Hey, presto, it has worked. Though it took a while.
this is me contemplating life in March 2003, 'living' (camping would be a better word) in a construction site that was GPP.
maybe I get the hang of it, one day
GPP 25th December, 2006
sometimes you have to 'feed the beast' in order to keep it alive.
At this very moment this thing is still very new to me and I am trying to 'learn the ropes'.
Those Blogger people tell you it's all very easy and simple
Gedreeten (this is a German colloquial which would only be understood by people who are familiar with the Wuppertaler vernacular)
For example, I would like to introduce a number of separate 'folders' (for want of a better word) where I can group my postings by various categories. For example
private
political
travel
GPP
business
Kampala
that sort of thing. Can't find any way of doing this. But it should be possible. I know, I know I am analy retentive when it comes to this sort of order.
Now I want to see how this "add Image" button works. But before I do that and everything collapses in a sorry heap I'll 'publish' this one.
sometimes you have to 'feed the beast' in order to keep it alive.
At this very moment this thing is still very new to me and I am trying to 'learn the ropes'.
Those Blogger people tell you it's all very easy and simple
Gedreeten (this is a German colloquial which would only be understood by people who are familiar with the Wuppertaler vernacular)
For example, I would like to introduce a number of separate 'folders' (for want of a better word) where I can group my postings by various categories. For example
private
political
travel
GPP
business
Kampala
that sort of thing. Can't find any way of doing this. But it should be possible. I know, I know I am analy retentive when it comes to this sort of order.
Now I want to see how this "add Image" button works. But before I do that and everything collapses in a sorry heap I'll 'publish' this one.
Monday, 4 December 2006
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