Me and the Taj Mahal °2

Me and the Taj Mahal °2, originally uploaded by Azchael.

Spending my birthday in India, I used the opportunity and went out to Agra, seeing both the Red Fort and the obligatory Taj Mahal (as depicted). Really a stunning building…

Daily traffic in Delhi

Daily traffic in Delhi, originally uploaded by Azchael.

Stuck in India? No, working in India and having to spent more than two hours a day in the car to get to and get back from work. Such as above is a common sight and one that amazes me. For as in India everywhere are cows on streets …

Above Los Angeles

An argument against solar power subsidies – by the Economist

A brief article a the Economist is briefly touching the area of green policies and why subsidising is bad. Especially Germany is pointed out as a bad example for solar panel subsidies, for it is one of the countries with the least sun exposure.

That is quite contrasting to the argument, Thomas L. Friedman is making in his book “Hot, Flat, and Crowded” in which he is applauding for the solar energy subsidies of Germany, as they started a market. The Economist however is complaining about the rise in silicon prices.

The Oxford Murders – Wittgenstein

At the weekend, during the 22nd International Film Festival Brunswick, I watched the movie “The Oxford Murders“, a logical crime puzzle solved by an Oxford professor and his new graduate student. At the beginning of the movie, the philosopher Wittgenstein is introduced. A famous citing of his is used in the beginning:

“Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen.“ (Tractatus, 7)

I would love to have more time to read on him and philosophy in general … ah those school days did not prepare oneself for the discussions of today.

Summary of present world politics, the challenges Obama has to face in the term of his presidency

The Economist has published an article called “Obama’s world” on November 6th 2008 describing and summarizing the challenges Obama has to face in the term of his presidency.

The connection between China’s and the USA’s economy, the rise of Russia and its late struggle with Georgia, the Iran question, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly every newspaper in the US and many abroad are constantly following the bits and bytes of Obamas ascend to presidency these days and try to map out the most likely resolutions to be drafted, agreed on and absoluted.

However the outcome, the world is changing rapidly and the path it is going on a few might predict correctly.

Reading the Economist

Interesting article on the Gulf States situation

Hendrix Gin & Tonic

Hendrix Gin & Tonic, originally uploaded by Azchael.

One of my favorites, difficult to get but tasty, refreshing and always a good started.

I discovered this gin tonic on a travel to Los Angelos, where I ate dinner with my good friend Peter in the “Roy’s” restaurant, a Haiwaiian top-of-the-art first-class restaurant, I can only recommend everybody to check it out.

The website of Hendrix Gin is offering varies receipies.

Finished “Frankenstein”

As time goes by and as the list of books you ever wanted to read is shortening, one starts to turn to the latest bestsellers only to get disappointed, by often meaningless or poorly researched books. In German literature, most so called “newcomers” on the hot topic lists are B-rated translations on unknown American authors, with certain exceptions. Written in original German language, most newly released books fail to catch my attention, either as they circle around the darker parts of German history and, in endless repetition, try to tell an old story in a new way, or because they try to capture the “modern German youth”, the feeling of those living in Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, wherever, trying to figure out their life. Unfortunately these ideas, topics and feelings are totally loosing my interest, as their mindset is not the same as mine. I miss the globalization, the true interaction between religion, society, history and cultures, that a present-day globetrotter needs.

So even higher my disappointment that most English language newcomers, bestsellers, new releases and hot topic books are also failing on precisely these accounts. They do feature a more “international mindset”, however still fail to address the necessary interdependencies that I so much love to learn about.

What else is there than to pass time by reading one good old Penguin Classics book, such as “Dracula” or, recently, “Frankenstein”. Classic English literature of its best, for a reasonable amount of money.

Flickr for Good

Maybe up for a long time, but not noticed: Flickr Good.

Check it out …