snow again, watch Amsterdam
We did have snow, but not much.
But my friends in Amsterdam had the joy of a white world again.
Isn't nature amazing?
24 January 2010
26 December 2009
Ukelele boy
If I'd known you tube when my boys were younger, they would have become famous too.
Right now it's this boy's turn:
25 December 2009
Merry Christmas and be careful!
I want to wish you all a merry christmas.
The snow is raining away here.
Such a pity, even though it's a relief for traffic.
So many more people arrive healthy at the place they want to go to.
You have to be careful though, as this proofs:
24 December 2009
Letter from President Obama
Although it's Christmas Eve, I wanted to share some exciting news: The Senate just passed a historic health reform bill.
In all the back and forth, it's easy to lose sight of what this incredible breakthrough really means. But consider this: This Christmas, there are millions of Americans without health insurance who risk losing everything if they get sick.
There are mothers and fathers who wonder how they'll provide for their children because an illness has wiped out their savings. There are small business owners who worry that they'll have to lay off a long-time employee because the cost of insurance is rapidly rising.
If we finish the job, all this can change. We will have beaten back the special interests who have for so long perpetuated the status quo. We will have enacted the most important piece of social policy since the Social Security Act in the 1930s, and the most important health reform since Medicare in the 1960s.
In Decembers to come, millions more will have access to affordable coverage. Parents will have the security and stability of knowing their insurance can't be revoked at a moment's notice. And the skyrocketing costs plaguing our small businesses will be brought under control.
When you make calls, write letters, organize, this is the change you're making -- a better life for your family and for men and women in every state.
There is still more to do before I can sign reform into law -- a last round of negotiations and final votes in the Senate and the House -- and I'm counting on your help every step of the way. But for now, I hope that as you celebrate this holiday season, you remember that the work you are doing is making our union more perfect, one step at a time. For that, I am grateful to you.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays,
President Barack Obama
P.S. -- Organizing for America supporters are signing a note of appreciation to all the senators who have worked so hard to make this possible. I hope you'll join them:
http://my.barackobama.com/
Merry Christmas!!
23 November 2009
A fast way from water to water
No, I'm not referring to the flooding in the UK. I feel very sorry for all those who are stick at their house or who have lost their home and cherrished belongings.
No, this is something to make you smile or get the chills.
07 November 2009
passports
Representing a country when sporting can lead to complicated situations.
Because countries have all sorts of rules and regulations it's almost impossible to know for sporters.
They have to rely on the information they get from others and sometimes the information is not good.
Studying the law can be from two point of view: what is allowed and what's not allowed.
Both areas should meet seamless, covering all situations.
But at times things go terribly wrong.
A few sporters wanted to represent Kazachstan at the Olympic Games.
They got information, were told it was possible to have two nationalities and passports, someone even called the ministery of foreign affairs and was told it was possible, they were not stopped, and they thought all was well.
Until they wanted to participate in the national championships of their country of birth.
They were not allowed to subscribe, because they didn't skate the selection contests in this country and someone thought they might not be considered to be a citizen of The Netherlands anymore.
They were reported to their councils and now they're facing to be thrown out of the country because it's said they're here illegally.
One of them is a young father!
After all discussions about people with two nationalities I can understand these sporters thought they were able to keep their Dutch nationality.
But bureaucracy is so important int his country nowadays that individual people just don´t count.
It´s about rules, countrol, and certainly not about trusting the good intentions of people.
01 November 2009
influencing the weather
Yes, the weather can be influenced by humans.
Before the Olympic Games at Beijing scientists were able to prevent rain at the main events by injecting chemicals in clouds and have them rain before the event and/or at another place.
This time they were motivated by the lack of rain in Peking.
At a temperature of minus 2 it snowed half a day.
All I want to ask is to lower the temperature here... a lot!
It's raining a lot at the moment and it would make a marvelous pile of snow for children to play in.
Come on... it's almost peanuts, it seems.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
