While I have been on a little holiday – I did receive an email with a real nice link…..

As you can read on my site; I am most certainly the kind of “unbeliever”…… and I would not call the Catholic Church my friend….

(don’t get me wrong; I don’t have anything against Catholic people….. I am just the kind of person who is “a bit against” all religions….     )

BUT; that does not mean that I do not like the history of religions. And I am most certainly very interested in all kinds of backgrounds…..

Okay; back to the email I got….. it is a link to the Vatican; it shows a Virtual Reality Tour of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.

Just look at them; and be amazed…..!!

Select one of the buildings; once you are inside – you can use the left mouse button to go through the building (do not forget to watch the amazing ceilings)….. if you have a scroll button – it will get you closer to the object….!

Basilica of Saint John Lateran

It just seems to be a new way of thinking AND acting…..;
if you do not agree with a rule/a law/an idea/an organization/the Olympic games….. you just go and destroy other people’s property…!

A couple of lowlifes are demonstrating/protesting against the Olympic games….; because they think it is costing way too much money…
First of all; I am NOT calling them lowlifes because of the protesting…..and their thoughts…..
In some kind of way I can imagine their thoughts….
BUT; I am calling them lowlifes because they are smashing other people’s properties.

I really have no idea how those people are thinking. Can please someone try to explain this to me…?

On the other hand; I am convinced you will not be able to explain this to me – as I think you should never ever touch and destroy other people’s property.

See; Peaceful protest sours as ‘criminal element’ takes over streets

Last Friday I have been watching a tv show/quiz….. and one of the questions was;

if you leave your bicycle UNlocked, can you get a fine of;
a. you will not get a fine
b. fine of 30 euros
c. fine of 70 euros
d. fine of a higher amount

With this question I was totally convinced; you will NOT get a fine…!!
Oooooh I was WRONG…!!
The correct answer is; a. fine of 30 euros

Uh…. what…??

So – our society is really this far..??
Probably you will get the fine because you are tempting a thief to steal your bicycle..??
This way the world is turned around uh..??
Next step will be;

“Yes judge; I took all those 150 bikes….- but you know what……??
I am not the one who is guilty…!! Those people left their bikes UNLOCKED…. this way they did something totally AGAINST THE LAW…..!!
IF they would not have done that, I would not have been able to take those bike…. See; I didn’t steal them – I took them…. And uh… those previous owners of the bike; they still should get their 30 euro fine….!!”

And you know what……?
When you go to the police – reporting your bike stolen; first thing the police is normally saying “sorry – we have a lot of stolen bike; there is not really a chance we can help you“……–> but – be careful to not mention you forgot to lock it… cause then you will hear “sorry – we have a lot of stolen bikes, there is not really a chance we can help you….. AND it is your own fault and because of that “fault” you will get a fine of 30 euros”

I have been laughing about a lot of ridiculous laws – but wow…. this law IN HOLLAND….. (number 1 country with bikes)…… it did not make me laugh…. it made me SAD!!

Sorry – I am also doing it… I am also going to talk about “IT”….
It has been all over the news…. and also on “all the blogs”….. the newborn child of Apple; the iPad….
(weird name uh..??)

All kinds of positive news…
- the looks
- very handy
- not toooo expensive
All kinds of negative news…..
- no multitasking..??
- what is new about it – my netbook can do the same LESS EXPENSIVE

But that is not going to be my topic….
I am wondering; we all remember the lawsuit of the EU against  Microsoft.
Since that lawsuit – it is all clear; Microsoft is not allowed to “just make their own browser (IE) the main browser in their operating system”….
All of a sudden; Microsoft is forced to also offer software of the competition.

And now the iPad…
(and yep – also the iPhone); Apple is talking about the “apps” you can install….
But did you know that developers of the “apps” are not allowed to make a new musicplayer…. and are also not allowed to make another browser or email client…?
Developers are not allowed to make a new (and maybe even better) version of an installed Apple apps….
Did you hear that right Microsoft…. ?Also NOT ANOTHER BROWSER….!

And what is with that weird word “APPS”..??
Apps is just another popular word for SOFTWARE….
But till now; it was only on “a phone”….. next step is an Apple computer….
(yep – we can call it an iPad or tablet; but it is just another computer)

So; in about 60 days – millions of people are going to buy an “another computer”….. but they will not be allowed to just put their own software on it….
It will all be controlled by Apple…. and Apple alone !!

My guess (and hopes); Apple is facing a lawsuit within the EU…..
(and otherwise; Microsoft should quit putting Firefox and Safari in their operating system)

Last year I spent my holiday in the USA and Canada….  a nice circle from Toronto – Niagara – Washington – New York – Toronto
I had a lot of fun….. saw amazing stuff…. so – I really had a great time.

So; busy with making plans for my next holiday -> I am thinking of the following one; Houston – New Orleans – Orlando – plane to Toronto.

All this is starting in Holland…. – so lot of preperation; I need a plane – I need hotels – I need a car….

So – I thought “in time of crisis – the prices should be lower OR at least the same….”….

Especially after my little “failure of last year”; I booked my plane ticket and a week later – our Dutch Government announced they would stop a certain airport/plane tax….
THIS would have meant; my plane ticket about 60 euro cheaper…
But okay – this would start after the 1st of July…. – I traveled before that date….so => just “bad luck”.

Last week I started looking for my new plane ticket – thinking of “well – this time – it MUST be cheaper – as that tax is still not back”….

WOW – that is wrong thinking….

Same ticket is going to be 70 euro MORE EXPENSIVE…

But okay – car rental business must be bad uh..??
Less people renting cars etc etc…

Again; WRONG….
Same car is going to be about 80 euro more expensive…..

I checked the hotel in Toronto; surprise surprise – MORE EXPENSIVE….

My humble opinion; the financial crisis must be over…..
AND I am spending more money on my holiday this year…. pffff

BUT; I really do not want to hear the hotel business – the car rentals – KLM/NWA/Air France/AirCanada about “bad times” and “less sales”…..

Today I read a piece written by Bono of U2 – a column in the New York Times….
In all honesty – I didn’t read it totally; same as his lyrics… kind of boring….!

But – there is a part in which he is talking about Intellectual Property Developers… how we should “ban” the file sharing…
According to Mr.Bono – the music industry is almost destroyed – and he hopes the other industries (movie, gaming) are able to stop the p2p/filesharing community.
He is talking about controlling the traffic between computers….

This guy – who is talking about all kinds of freedom and people being equal….
This same guy, who is asking 85 euros for a normal (ring) concert ticket,….. is telling me that I should not get music for free…..!
Uh…. but how do you expect me to be able to pay 85 euros..??
I am selling one arm – one leg….. and “steal” a couple of U2 songs; because I would like to be know if I also like the new songs of U2 => otherwise it would be ridiculous to go to your concert….. wouldn’t it…?

And then take away my freedom…. check all my email/computer traffic.
Sure; make the mailman go through my envelopes…. maybe have the police make a monthly check in my home; just to be sure I don’t have illegal stuff in my house….

Oh yeah – one more thing; once a while I am paying for a dvd (some rental – some buy) => don’t you think it is strange I have to look for a minute to a screen which is telling me that I should NOT WATCH illegal DVDs…….
So – they let me pay – to watch such a thing……
Shouldn’t you be putting this on the illegal movie – instead of my legal version…??

Source; the New York Times – Ten for the Next Ten

As a lot of people know; in Holland we do have good health system. Everybody is covered (uh… insured..??)….. so – if we have to go to the hospital; the main thing will be = HELP THAT PERSON…
Yep – a real good situation….

BUT; pls know – this is not for free…!
We, the Dutch, are paying a lot of money for it…..

See; I don’t have any problems with paying for it… and even “a lot of money”…. ah well – if we are all covered and safe….!!

So – what is the problem Sjeltur…??

Well; I am paying every month 120 euro to be covered very well. Yep – I am not even paying “the full amount” – because I do think there are some risks I “should take”…..
And with me; all the Dutch are paying a similar amount… some less and some more; depending on the coverage…
But we are all covered for the “main things”….

And every year; this amount I need to pay is rising…. I know – everything is getting more and more expensive… and yep – every year I am also earning a bit more….
One of the problems with this price rising; it is also rising because the insurance companies have problems with getting their money….
Yep; some are just not paying their bill……. and in these times of recession – I even do understand it a bit….
But those “non paying people” are creating a circle; they are not paying, because it is a lot of money……, but because of not paying – the price will be higher next year….; more reason to not pay the bill…..

In the past; the main part of the health insurance would be paid via the earnings people get;
so – I work – my boss is (forced) paying a bit from my salary to get me covered….
People on welfare; the Government would first take off the part of health insurance…..
Perfect; everybody pays in time….

I have no idea how the US Government will do all this; one advice – DO NOT LET THE PEOPLE PAY MANUALLY…..!!

Okay – maybe this all sounds like a weird idea…., BUT; I really do like the idea…..

AS you all know; I went to New York last (early) summer -> and yep – I have been on Times Square.. and most of my attention went to the people on the street (and sitting on their chairs); WATCHING THE ADVERTISEMENTS…!
Why would you spend your time watching huge billboards…??
I have no idea….!!

But this week; some tweets of Ernst-Jan Pfauth (DutchProBlogger) caught my attention; “We’re Gonna Replace All Advertising on Times Square with Art. Here’s How“…..
Just a simple idea; get the money AND the artist to put nice art on the big light screens on Times Square…. and make Times Square (for the first time…?) look REALLY NICE….!!

Lets see if the Dutch can change New York (again)…..!!

Details; the Times Square to Art Square page

Today I did receive an email from Google… well from “Your Google Team”…… – in which they write;

Hello,

As we near the end of the year, we wanted to take a moment to thank you for the time, energy, commitment, and trust you’ve shared with us in 2009.

With sharing in mind, this year we’ve decided to do something a little different. We hope you’ll find it fits the spirit of the holiday season.

We’re looking forward to working with you to build lasting success in 2010.

Happy Holidays,
Your Google Team

Really nice uh..??

Well; IF YOU ARE ABLE READ WHERE THE LINK IS BRINGING YOU.

I have no idea how they did it; but on my iPhone – the link brought me to the same kind of screen; but with another language….
My girlfriend was telling me it is Danish..
And I guarantee you; my Google settings are not in Danish – neither are the settings on my iPhone

So – really nice of Google to give away 20 million dollar…. but looking this link; I am worried the organisations mentioned in the lower part of the screen are not getting their money…. as it seems hard for Google to bring important messages/things to the correct person….

(of course I am just kidding about the last line; I really think Google is doing a good job !!)

Just wanted to share this little video with you all;

Some people are just grazy about Christmas AND the game Guitar Hero….. and the result;

Christmas Light Hero is using 7 light controllers from Light-O-Rama built from kits to control 21,268 lights and LEDs. Each controller has 16 outputs and 2-3 TTL level control inputs that are used by the game system to fire different programmed light sequences depending on what happens in the game. It relies on the fact that the game sequence is very consistent. If the game and the lighting sequences start together, they will stay in very good sync through the length of the song. The light program allows branching and overlays for fail, star power and “ready.” I have some ideas to automate the initial show/game sync, but for now you have to push doorbell buttons at the right moments.

To program the show a video recording was made of a perfect round of Guitar Hero playing Eric Johnson’s Cliffs of Dover. The timing of all the dots and the light show choreography follow that video.

When you play, you watch only the Christmas lights, but the audio you hear is from the Wii, so your flubs are broadcast for all to hear (people in cars can tune 99.1 and crank it up as loud as they want.) When we are not playing, a separate version of the program that has the audio from the recorded game plays with the lights as a loop. The YouTube video also has this audio, (because I forgot to record the direct audio when I was shooting the documentation, and the camcorder did not pick it up very well.)

A video screen is on the driveway showing the game video, but if you want to be on the high score list you have to make it through the whole game only watching the Christmas Lights. Even though the game is in “easy” mode, the lights don’t provide the same timing detail as the game does, so it is much harder. Even expert Guitar Hero players have a hard time with the lights, and nobody has made it through without errors (yet).

Source; Christmas Light Hero