Formosa

The person below me is trying to get used to the start/end of daylight saving. Funny, I was just thinking about this too, and wandering what I could do with the extra hour we save in this part of the world. Work on my story I guess The person below me just took a long stroll through the woods and is happy the leaves are turning red, yellow, orange and brown...

Hi! Congratulations to New Jersey, and I guess the US in general for this small, but significant step forward! This development actually hit the headlines in the Netherlands. Just to share with you guys the situation of same-sex marriage in the first country in the world to legalise it. (Guess where!) Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as same-sex marriage. When the Dutch Parliament allowed homosexuals to marry in 2001, they didn

That's just what happened (in Dutch)! Apparently at this zoo there are two gay couples and one lesbian couple. Obviously the gay couples can't breed, but what the zoo suspects happened was that the two chased the (biological) mother away from the nest, and 'adopted' the egg as their own. They suspect one of the lesbian storks was impregnated by a male. All three couples successfully bred healthy chicks. Interesting thing to note is that the zoo has 16 storks (9 male, 7 female). Three homo-couples (6 storks) suggests that 37.5 % of the storks there are homosexual....a very high proportion! Fascinating stuff. I wonder what the other storks make of all this...

Well, Article 275(a) of the Animal Criminal Law Code (amended 1998) says:

Came across this strange scientific reserach into "homosexual necrophilia in the mallard"...

yeah! no more last-minute sleeplessness the night-before the dealine! ...but I wonder if the generator can produce something with a 20.000 word count

You're right about this lady. Her name is Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and was outspokenly critical of the way Muslim women are treated in Islamic cultures. According to Time she ranks as one of the top 100 most influential people of the century. Yeah, beacause some twisted asylum law and media frenzy she was basically chased out of the country this summer, and now working for the American Enterprise Institute in NYC. It's true the Netherlands has been under a lot of bad press lately because of the way this country treats its immigrants and asylum seekers. All thanks to a lovely clique of self-proclaimed 'liberals' who form the government and a very hard-line, 'rules-are-rules' Minister of Immigration. Sometime ago the same minister said it was safe to deport homosexuals back to Iran--a country which hangs peoples for being gay!! Just yesterday it was revealed that an eight year old boy has been locked up and awaiting deportation for months because he and his mother were illegal in the country. The case of this gay couple is just one of many in a line of inhumane cases in which having the right papers and complying to laws are raised above respect for basic human rights. Laws are supposed to serve people, not the other way around. Yeah, Lugh is right...sign the petition on the site, not my blog! There's now 291 signatures already within one day! Thanks for the support those of you who've signed it. I'm sure the couple appreciate every show of support they can get. Today an MP asked questions in Parliament about the issue, which captured some media attention... but it seems like the deportation order is sitll in place.

Just as some of us were praising the how progressive the Netherlands is in terms of the acceptance of ho-le-bis, the country suffered a terrible set back today. I just got news that a gay man is apart to be forcibly deported out of the country and separated from his married partner of 8 years because he lost his right to stay in the country. The story is a little more complicated than that, but the bottom line is the government and courts place having proper papers and legal status to stay over and above the rights of two individuals to private and family life. For the full story, please go to my blog. Here's a [translated] excerpt from the appeal letter: I know these things probably happen all the time in many places without us knowing...but now that we know, we can do something to make a difference, even if it's only a small one. If you can, please help by signing the petition. It's in Dutch, but it's not that difficult: Under "1. Steun de actie!" [support the appeal] you see "Uw naam" [Your name, fill in box] and "Uw email-adres" [Your email adress, fill in box] David Solidarity...

Wow, that's the first time I hear anyone described Dutch as a "pretty language"! I guess any language sounds nice when put to music, and the song is pretty and sweet Typical of Dutch is the strong gutteral "g" (HARD and throaty like in BaHRain), and the rolling "r" (like in RRRotteRRRdam). The way it's spoken you'd think it's some kind of vulgar boorish German dialect...and the way it's written you'd think it's someone's trying to write English and French at the same time after a bit too much to drink There are certain words in Dutch that sound the same as English, but have a completely different meaning (and vice versa)...so you can see the potential for hilarious moments there. For example, to 'fok' is to 'breed', and is pronounced like 'f*ck'. A joke is when an British lady asks a Dutch lady at a social even what she does for living: "Oh, I fok dogs". But hey, it's pretty in it's own way

I guess homework is kind of difficult to juggle when you're young, want to explore all sorts of others things, and want to have a (social) life too. I think teachers give homework not to deliberately make you feel miserable, but to see how much you've absorbed. So it's good for you, in a way, but like all things should be in moderation. I could say I've 'been there and done that', but to be honest I'm still doing it now! Uni is a lot different than high school. I guess it was 'easier' before since teachers spoonfeed you information and the homework they set is basically a repetition of what you've been doing in class so that you can work the ideas/methods into your brain. It's true, you've got a lot more homework and assignments to do at high school in terms of the quantity, but once you're done, you're done. At uni there aren't so many assignments, probably maximum three papers per term, and only a few hours of lectures you need to attend....but the rest of the time is not (supposed to be) free time. You're really supposed to do your own study, find your own readings and fill in gaps in your knowledge. Lecturers just give you a skeleton of what you're expected to know, whereas you've got to flesh it up with our study and research. Recommended self-study time per week: at least 25hours. Of course you can do nothing and party all day or whatever, like some of my friends, but you'll be out before you know it. I'm working on a paper now, and it's taking almost three weeks of reading, writings, reading, re-writing...and there's a 1500word limit too! Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say high school students have it much easier....believe me when I was in high school I used to complain and think it was all too much and impossible. But afterwards you'll look back and think it wasn't that bad after all. I used to think that working people have it so much easier without homework, but with all the other stresses and pressures you've to deal with was I wrong when I started working! Part of the reason I went back to studying The grass is always greener elsewhere. A number of people mentioned this already: planning, management, and working with others really does help. Worse thing is to be up in the middle of the night doing something you don't want but must and failing because you couldn't put in as much quality and time as you could. Good luck~ "Home-workers of the world unite"

Amazing... I wonder if that's what dyslexics see when they read. Though I'm not sure if this applies to other non-roman languages.

Hello everyone, Hehe, not Slavic, but it's definitely Dutch. It's true some words are and sound very similar to English, like 'fijn' (fine), 'vader' (father). And believe me it does rhyme, if you listen carefully! Pretty sweet song! Refrein: Ik heb twee vaders Twee echte vaders Soms stoer en ook wel streng Maar we hebben het heel fijn Ik heb twee vaders Twee echte vaders Die als het moet ook allebei Mijn moeder kunnen zijn [Chorus I have two fathers Two real fathers Sometimes cool and also sometimes strict But we're doing great I have two fathers Two real fathers Who if they must be Could also be my mother] It's on a show for children called "Kinderen voor Kinderen" (Children for Children), on the Dutch public network VARA. To be honest I've never actually watched the show until that clip, but I do know it's very popular among children. The show is based on a children's choir group of 8-12yrs olds who sing and produce CDs to raise money for children in the developing world (hence the name!). A number of famous Dutch song-writers are involved in the project, and the children can suggest themes and ideas for songs. The song 'Twee Vaders' (Two Fathers) was in the 2005 album, and it raised a lot of money for the tsunami last year. Actually the public network is not specifically gay-orientated, and like I said it's a show for kids. But it does show how progressive this country is in terms of the openness and acceptance of gays. I mean where else would you see children singing and clapping along during the day on a public TV network? After all, this is the first country to legalise same-sex partnership. If anyone's interested, there's a blog entry by me on a report in the local paper sometime ago on children growing up in same-sex relationships groetjes, David *Thanks Old Bob for drawing my attention to this~ PS: If anyone is interested in the original Dutch text, and want to sing along at the next GA karaoke event , here it is: TWEE VADERS Wij wonen in een rijtjeshuis We hebben mooie spullen thuis We leven heel normaal daar met z

Hm, Nick's poems are personal, but at the same time seem to capture those emotions and thoughts I share with so few words. It's really impressive to see someone so young, yet with such a full understanding of life, love, and death already. I especially enjoy the poems about his parents, since they desribe the sort of relationship I have with my parents.... the people you love to hate, yet deep down also hate to love, people who sometimes say nothing, but mean everything. "Forever" is another excellent piece, which reveals the deep and almost desperate affection towards the 'other', but ends with a morbid twist and note on how love can lead to something completely opposite. Hope many more things in your life will continue to inspire you to write, and to inspire others.

Hi Dezlboi, Congratulations on becoming Shared-Author! Really deserve it, and hope it'll be a boost to your already great style of writing. I was sort of wondering what kept you

A man walks into the office and looks a little lost. "May I help you?" the secretary asks. "Yes, please. Do you mind showing me the way to your BUM?"

I accidentally discovered the acronym PMs recently...Personal Message-s There was a guy at my brother's old office and the sign on his door says PMS too, which is supposed to stand for personnel management (something? can't remember now). Had a picture of it before but can't find it...

How touching....my eyes and nose were moist almost from beginning to end, and I still have goosebumps now from seeing that true and deep love and bond between father and son. It's seeing people and lives like this which makes this world fill with hope. David PS: does anyone know the name of the song or the artist?)

Oh wow, good trivia to know for the next quiz night at the pub... I'm liking my new logo which I just got two days ago. It's purple, my favourite colour!

I woke up this morning to this news on the radio, and thought I was dreaming. Really surprised the way he was killed, but the the newsreader said it was instant, so I guess, and hope, it was probably less painful. Like many t(w)eens here, I grew up watching his crazy crocodile and werid and wonderful shows. One thing he taught me was respect and valuing the life and territory of all beings. He'll be much missed. May his kindness toward nature and all beings live on wherever he may be . UPDATE 3Sept2006 As a tribute to Steve's life (and death), here are a collection of cartoons .

*faints from excitement*

Hi everyone, thanks for writing back and all the support and sharing of your own experiences. I did feel so much better after reading many of your replies, and felt less like I'm the only one with the problem. Just briefly, it went pretty well actually. Started slow and awkward at first, but once I got to be in a small tour group with my own classmates, the conversation just carried on its own. I just went along with the conversation, smiled a lot, asked and answered, and conversations just went from there, from one thing to another. Met a really sweet and cute guy, but he's not what (you and) I thought/hoped he would be. Oh well...look, but no touch. If you're interested knowing details of what happened, my blog has more... Tomorrow is another day of induction, with lunches and dinners, a boat trip too, rounded off with a party. Normally I'm not so hot about parties, but I think I'll go along to see what it's like. Who knows I might even enjoy it. again, thanks to everyone! Really appreciate the replies! David

A little nervous at the moment. Tomorrow I

As much I long to be hugged, I'm actually scared of them too. Especially if it's completely unexpected, and from someone I barely know. I freeze completely then, and feel physically sick, and wonder sometimes if the 'hugger' is trying to 'take advantage of me'. Guess it's related to my experiences as a child, making me mot such a physical and 'touchy' person. I guess the most common hug I give and receive would be the , to and from friends. I haven't hugged anyone for a long, long time, until last week when I attended the wedding of a good friend who I've not seen for two years. It felt a little awkward, since he and I had an intimate something together back in uni, and a part of me read more into it than what it really was: pat on the back tag-and-go. My favourite hug, like with everyone else's I guess, is with a boyfriend. It's subtle and gradual, you know it's going to happen, but there's a sort of 'foreplay' involved before the actuall hug itself. Stand close to each other, look deeply into one another's eyes, feel each other's breath on the cheeks, then slowly, slowly our bodies inch closer and closer as the arms go around each other, sliding and exploring each other's bodies, chest, arms, before locking around the waists. A number of combinations could happen after that: either we stand there, forehead to forehead, staring into one another's eyes for a few moments, and enjoy the embrace and warmth of our bodies together...or we kiss. Or our faces brush against one another, heads resting on each other's shoulder, as soft words are whispered into the ears. All the while, the hands slide up and down each other's backs, exploring, maybe even digging underneath the clothes, and brushing against the skin. Last time that happened was...more than two years ago. Oh...I need a hug~

I just call it tap , because water is so clean here you can drink from the tap.

55% General American English 20% Yankee 15% Dixie 5% Upper Midwestern 0% Midwestern I've only been to America once in my life, and that was for less than a month twelve years ago! So I don't understand how I can speak General American, let alone Yankee, Dixie or Upper Western. Don't even have a clue what those last ones are. And to be honest I just randomly picked some of the answers (hush)! :wacko: I guess I just speak my own kind of English...