When you visit my blog, you may just read it and laugh (or cry or be bored) and go on with your life, which is a smart thing to do. You may also read it and laugh (or cry or be bored) and think:"Where does he get his inspiration and idea's from?". For the last group I am writing this post today. Well, it doesn't mean that when you are in the first category, you are not allowed to read.
What I try to do here, is not write a blog about every day life, like: "at 12 o'clock I went to the bakery to buy bread, and at 12;15 I went to the butcher's." Some people may like this way of writing or reading, but I want to write something actual interesting, or something that make you think, or simply just to make you laugh.
My ideas do come from every day life. Also my wife brings up quite some ideas. 95% of her ideas are quite useful, but maybe only 50% of those actually make it up here. You see, she can sit behind the computer, and write whatever comes in mind. And that works for her, and, even though I don't read any Chinese, I am sure the result is really good. But for me, whenever I have an idea, I first start to put these ideas into words, then into sentences. Once I have the right sentences in my mind, I put that on here. So, this might mean, that an idea I had, may never make it here, or an idea YuMei had, gets posted 4 days after she gave me that idea. Like yesterday, she gave me an idea to write about our trip to the Great Wall in China, how we went there etc. And I liked that idea, so now I am writing about this subject in my mind. Once I have written it to perfection, with the right amount of humor (or the lack of it), and the right amount of information, and all the other things that are needed to make a post interesting to read.
Also, I have stayed in Taiwan for 4 months to learn Chinese, and I have written some articles about life and my views on Taiwan and life there. I am also planning to post these here, which may be interesting for those living in Taiwan. However, I still need to modify them, since in general they are fun to read, still there are some small things that I am not really happy with.
Anyway, this is how I write this blog. I must say, that it can be a bit confusing sometimes for me, since I sometimes have like 5 or 6 ideas on what to write about. But well, it's a challenge.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Funny videos
The last few days I don't really have the inspiration to write anything. Well, actually I have a lot of things to write about, but just no inspiration to put these things into actual words and from there into a funny story. It's not that I don't want to post, but just for personal reasons I just can't.
But since I don't want to disappoint my huge amount of fans, both of them, I am just posting some funny videos I found.
Dont Mess With Granny
Ever thought about having cybersex? Well, don't! Here's the reason why:
Dont Cyber In Holland
Ever heard the words:" Do not try this at home"? Well, if you have a few pool tables at home, I challenge you to DO TRY this at home! :
Dominoes Pool
Same goes for this:
More Pool Trick Shots
The following proves that in order to do these kind of trickshots, you better start early:
Pool Prodigy
We all know that the Chinese are crazy about table tennis. But the Japanese have taken it a bit further. They have combined the noble game of ping pong with the special effects of the movie "The Matrix":
Matrix Ping Pong
X-mas is behind us, and some of us may have eaten rabbit of hare for X-mas dinner. Well, for thos people, better hide for the coming Easter:
Bad Easter Bunny
This guy is probably banned from the craps table in Las Vegas:
Dice Stacking
And last but not least finally a bus that is always on time:
The Wheelie Bus
But since I don't want to disappoint my huge amount of fans, both of them, I am just posting some funny videos I found.
Dont Mess With Granny
Ever thought about having cybersex? Well, don't! Here's the reason why:
Dont Cyber In Holland
Ever heard the words:" Do not try this at home"? Well, if you have a few pool tables at home, I challenge you to DO TRY this at home! :
Dominoes Pool
Same goes for this:
More Pool Trick Shots
The following proves that in order to do these kind of trickshots, you better start early:
Pool Prodigy
We all know that the Chinese are crazy about table tennis. But the Japanese have taken it a bit further. They have combined the noble game of ping pong with the special effects of the movie "The Matrix":
Matrix Ping Pong
X-mas is behind us, and some of us may have eaten rabbit of hare for X-mas dinner. Well, for thos people, better hide for the coming Easter:
Bad Easter Bunny
This guy is probably banned from the craps table in Las Vegas:
Dice Stacking
And last but not least finally a bus that is always on time:
The Wheelie Bus
Friday, December 29, 2006
Aviation Humor
As you may know already, I am a bit of an aviation fanatic. Well, not really like some people, having a complete cockpit at home or spend every hour next to the runway with a book, recording each and every plane landing or taking off. But I do like to go to the runway occasionally. Next time I go, I will bring my camera (if I don't forget), and take some pictures for you. Anyway, why I bring this up is, because the other day I was surfing, and found some funny websites with some funny conversations between the control towers and the pilots. I will post the funniest ones below.
Pilot (Speedbird 206): "Frankfurt tower, Speedbird 206 is clear of the active runway."
Tower: "Speedbird 206, taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven."
Pilot (Speedbird 206): [silence, standing still just off of the runway]
Tower: "Speedbird 206, don't you know where to go?"
Speedbird 206: "Stand by tower, I'm looking up the gate location now."
Tower (growing impatient): "Speedbird 206, haven't you ever been to Frankfurt?"
Pilot (Speedbird 206): "Yes, twice in 1944 -- but it was dark and I didn't land."
Tower: "Eastern 702, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on frequency 124.7"
Pilot (Eastern 702): "Tower, Eastern 702 switching to Departure. By the way, as we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway."
Tower: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff behind Eastern 702, contact Departure on frequency 124.7. Did you copy the report from Eastern 702?"
Pilot (Continental 635): "Continental 635, roger, cleared for takeoff; and yes, we copied Eastern, and have already notified our caterers."
Pilot: "Bangor Departure, this is Cessna Four Seven Six Bravo."
Tower: "Cessna Four Seven Six Bravo, Bangor go ahead."
Pilot: "Bangor, I don't seem to be making much progress here. How is my ground speed?"
Tower: "Cessna Four Seven Six Bravo, it all depends. If you're a hang glider, you're doing pretty well."
Unknown Pilot (waiting in a very long takeoff queue): "I'm f**king bored."
Tower: "Last aircraft transmitting, please identify yourself immediately!!"
Unknown Pilot: "I said I was f**king bored, not f**king stupid."
Tower: "Flight 2431, for noise abatement turn right 20 degrees."
Pilot (Flight 2431): "Roger, but we're at 35,000 feet, how much noise can we make up here?"
Tower: "Flight 2431, have you ever heard the noise a 707 makes when it collides with a 727?"
Pilot (Cessna N2349): "Tower -- Cessna N2349 -- student pilot -- out of fuel!!"
Tower: "Roger Cessna N2349'er, reduce airspeed to best glide!! Do you have the airfield in sight?"
Pilot (Cessna N2349): "Uh ... tower, I am on the south ramp. I just want to know where the fuel truck is."
In a popular SR-71 story, Los Angeles Center reported receiving a request for clearance to flight level 600 (60,000 feet). The incredulous controller, with some disdain in his voice, asked, "How do you plan to get up to 60,000 feet?" The SR-71 pilot responded, "We don't plan to go up to it, we plan to go down to it!"
Flight Attendant: "... Your seat cushions may be used as floatation devices. In the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."
Pilot (Speedbird 206): "Frankfurt tower, Speedbird 206 is clear of the active runway."
Tower: "Speedbird 206, taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven."
Pilot (Speedbird 206): [silence, standing still just off of the runway]
Tower: "Speedbird 206, don't you know where to go?"
Speedbird 206: "Stand by tower, I'm looking up the gate location now."
Tower (growing impatient): "Speedbird 206, haven't you ever been to Frankfurt?"
Pilot (Speedbird 206): "Yes, twice in 1944 -- but it was dark and I didn't land."
Tower: "Eastern 702, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on frequency 124.7"
Pilot (Eastern 702): "Tower, Eastern 702 switching to Departure. By the way, as we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway."
Tower: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff behind Eastern 702, contact Departure on frequency 124.7. Did you copy the report from Eastern 702?"
Pilot (Continental 635): "Continental 635, roger, cleared for takeoff; and yes, we copied Eastern, and have already notified our caterers."
Pilot: "Bangor Departure, this is Cessna Four Seven Six Bravo."
Tower: "Cessna Four Seven Six Bravo, Bangor go ahead."
Pilot: "Bangor, I don't seem to be making much progress here. How is my ground speed?"
Tower: "Cessna Four Seven Six Bravo, it all depends. If you're a hang glider, you're doing pretty well."
Unknown Pilot (waiting in a very long takeoff queue): "I'm f**king bored."
Tower: "Last aircraft transmitting, please identify yourself immediately!!"
Unknown Pilot: "I said I was f**king bored, not f**king stupid."
Tower: "Flight 2431, for noise abatement turn right 20 degrees."
Pilot (Flight 2431): "Roger, but we're at 35,000 feet, how much noise can we make up here?"
Tower: "Flight 2431, have you ever heard the noise a 707 makes when it collides with a 727?"
Pilot (Cessna N2349): "Tower -- Cessna N2349 -- student pilot -- out of fuel!!"
Tower: "Roger Cessna N2349'er, reduce airspeed to best glide!! Do you have the airfield in sight?"
Pilot (Cessna N2349): "Uh ... tower, I am on the south ramp. I just want to know where the fuel truck is."
In a popular SR-71 story, Los Angeles Center reported receiving a request for clearance to flight level 600 (60,000 feet). The incredulous controller, with some disdain in his voice, asked, "How do you plan to get up to 60,000 feet?" The SR-71 pilot responded, "We don't plan to go up to it, we plan to go down to it!"
A retired Alaska Airlines Captain, flying as a dead head passenger aboard Alaska Airlines flight 498 from Seattle to San Francisco, related the following public safety announcement from memory to his laptop computer just moments after it was made:
Flight Attendant: "Hello, and welcome aboard Alaska Airlines flight 498 to San Francisco. If you're going to San Francisco, you're in the right place. If you're not going to San Francisco, you're about to have a really long evening ...
We'd now like to tell you about some important safety features of this aircraft. The most important safety feature we have aboard this plane is -- the flight attendants. Please look at one now. There are five exits aboard this plane: two at the front, two over the wings, and one out of the plane's rear. If you're seated in one of the exit rows, please don't store your bags by your feet. That would be a really bad idea. Please take a moment and look around and find the nearest exit. Count the rows of seats between you and the exit. In the event that the need arises to find one, trust me, you will be glad you did. We have pretty blinking lights on the floor that will blink in the direction of the exits. White ones along the normal rows, and pretty red ones at the exit rows ...
In the event of a loss of cabin pressure these baggy things (oxygen masks) will drop down above your head. You stick it over your nose and mouth like the flight attendants are showing you now. The bag will not inflate, but there is oxygen there -- I promise. If you're sitting next to a small child, or someone who is acting like a small child, please do us all a favor and put your mask on first. If you are traveling with two or more children, please take a moment now to decide which one is your favorite. Help that one first, then work your way down ...
In the seat pocket in front of you is a pamphlet about the safety features of this plane. I usually use it as a fan when I'm having my own personal summer -- it makes a very good fan. It also has pretty pictures. Please take it out now and play with it.
Now please take a moment to make sure that your seat belts are fastened low and tight around your waist. To fasten the belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle. To release, it is a pulley thing -- not a pushy thing like your car because you are in an airplane -- Hellooo!! ...
There is no smoking in the cabin on this flight. There is also no smoking in the lavatories. If we see smoke coming from the lavatories, we will assume that you're on fire and put you out. This is a free service that we provide. There are two smoking sections on this flight, one on the outside of each wing exit. We do have a movie in the smoking sections tonight -- hold on, let me check and see what it is ... Oh here it is, the movie tonight is 'Gone with the Wind' ...
In a moment we will be turning off the cabin lights, and it is going to get really dark, really fast. If you are afraid of the dark, now would be a good time to reach up and press the yellow button. The yellow button turns on your reading light. Please do not press the orange button (attendant) unless you absolutely have to. The orange button is your seat's ejection button. Just kidding. We are glad to have you on board with us today, and thank you for choosing Alaska Airlines."
Flight Attendant: "... Your seat cushions may be used as floatation devices. In the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."
Male Flight Attendant: "Ladies and gentlemen, we aren't anticipating a full flight, so at this time please look around, and if you don't like the looks of the person sitting next to you, feel free to move to another seat in the cabin. Or, if you see someone you would rather be sitting next to -- for example, the blonde in row 10, this would be a good time to do so."
Pilot: "Sorry about the delay in pushing back from the gate, but apparently they don't take American Express at the gas pumps."
Flight Attendant: "... There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only six ways to leave this aircraft."
Flight Attendant: "... Please use the lavatory in your section. The ones in first class aren't any different, except for a little linen fold that I can never seem to get right anyway."
Flight Attendant: "... The only place to smoke on today's flight is out on the wing. Please step through, right foot first, and follow the arrows. If you can light 'em, you can smoke 'em."
Flight Attendant (after a delay in taking off): "I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the machine that rips the handles off luggage is broken. [cheers, laughter] The bad news is that our departure will be temporarily delayed while they fix it."
Flight Attendant: "... In the unlikely event of a water-landing, you will find a sexy yellow life-jacket under your seat, now being modeled by the flight attendants. The life-jacket is also equipped with a light -- so you can read while waiting to be rescued."
A young flight attendant, fresh out of training, did not realize that "La Guardia" and "New York" were the same place. While the plane was in line awaiting clearance to taxi to the runway, a passenger asked her what time would they be landing in New York, at which point the flight attendant exclaimed, "Oh my god, you're on the wrong plane!" The captain was immediately informed of a misloaded passenger and, without knowing anything further, requested permision to taxi back to the terminal. He instructed the attendant to make an announcement in case other people had also boarded by mistake. "Ladies and gentlemen," she began, "If you are traveling to New York, we regret to inform you this plane is headed to La Guardia."
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Driving in Holland
I don't know how you all have spend X-mas, but I hope you all had a great time, whatever you did, and with whoever you have been. We spend our X-mas with my mom in Weert, in the south of Holland. It's 150 km, so approx. 1 1/2 hour drive. Normally traffic never really get to me, but yesterday it could drive me crazy sometimes. The road was filled with those people who drive only once a year on X-mas, and drive 90 km/hour on the right lane with their hands nicely on "10 minutes to 2", also on the parts where 120 is allowed. That is not really the worst part, no....the worst part is those people who are passing the first group at a pase of 100 where 120 is allowed.
Those who know me, probably also know the way I drive. I do drive safely, and always look out in all directions,....BUT, I always have the tendency to drive a little bit faster than allowed. So, it always makes me nervous to drive behind someone who is driving slower then the speed limit. No, I am not those a****** who will drive right up to the bumper of your car, to make it clear that you have to drive faster. I always drive behind the person, and remain cool and calm....well, on the outside, that is. Inside I am boiling and eating myself alive. The good thing is, that as soon as the car in question has vanished from my rear view mirrors, I forget about it, and go on my way. So, my stress level never really rises to dangerous boiling levels or anything.
When you are on the road, you see things, that'll make you wonder about where we are going to in Holland. And I don't mean, we are all going to visit someone. But the bigger picture.....For example: on the way back at around 7 pm, we were driving, I believe in the area of......hmmm, can't remember. Anyway, in Holland we have those signs above the road, called matrix-signs. Don't expect Keanu Reeves to jump down and land on the hood of the car, because this is another matrix. These signs shows information on the speedlimit etc, on places where there is a traffic jam, or when they are working on the road. The strange thing was, at one area, the signs showed a limit of 90 km/hour. There were no road works, no traffic jam, and it was only for a length of about 500 meters. So, I am wondering, what was the point of this? I sometimes see those things flashing when there is absolutely nothing wrong. So, the question usually is: Are those lights on because there is a traffic jam, OR is there a traffic jam BECAUSE those lights are on? I tend to say the latter.
Another strange thing I noticed is this. About a year ago, the environmentalists have claimed to have won an important battle in pushing back the use of the car, in favor of the environment. On the ring roads around the big cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and I believe Den Haag too) the speed limit was reduced to 80. This would be better for the environment, since there was less exhaust fumes, less traffic jams, etc. Now, a year later, they have found out that reducing the speed limit actually causes more traffic jams, making it worse for the environment.
Also near Utrecht I have noticed the following situation:
At one part near Utrecht, you can find the situation as drawn above (sorry for the lousy picture. I am not much of painter). On the ring road around Utrecht, the limit is 80, because of the environment. On the highway right next to the ring, the limit is 100! And this is not just a small section. No, this is about 10 or 15 km long. So, on the ring we are really doing our best to keep the environment clean by driving 80, while 5 meters further they are blowing a lot of exhaust fumes into the air by driving 100.
Don't you think we have taken this thing a little bit too far? Or maybe they haven't thought things thouroughly through? It's nice to think about the environment, and it is important for our kids too. But better think before you act. It is better to win the WAR against polution, than just A battle.
Oh, and for your information, Alec loved his X-mas toys, and can't stop playing with them.
Those who know me, probably also know the way I drive. I do drive safely, and always look out in all directions,....BUT, I always have the tendency to drive a little bit faster than allowed. So, it always makes me nervous to drive behind someone who is driving slower then the speed limit. No, I am not those a****** who will drive right up to the bumper of your car, to make it clear that you have to drive faster. I always drive behind the person, and remain cool and calm....well, on the outside, that is. Inside I am boiling and eating myself alive. The good thing is, that as soon as the car in question has vanished from my rear view mirrors, I forget about it, and go on my way. So, my stress level never really rises to dangerous boiling levels or anything.
When you are on the road, you see things, that'll make you wonder about where we are going to in Holland. And I don't mean, we are all going to visit someone. But the bigger picture.....For example: on the way back at around 7 pm, we were driving, I believe in the area of......hmmm, can't remember. Anyway, in Holland we have those signs above the road, called matrix-signs. Don't expect Keanu Reeves to jump down and land on the hood of the car, because this is another matrix. These signs shows information on the speedlimit etc, on places where there is a traffic jam, or when they are working on the road. The strange thing was, at one area, the signs showed a limit of 90 km/hour. There were no road works, no traffic jam, and it was only for a length of about 500 meters. So, I am wondering, what was the point of this? I sometimes see those things flashing when there is absolutely nothing wrong. So, the question usually is: Are those lights on because there is a traffic jam, OR is there a traffic jam BECAUSE those lights are on? I tend to say the latter.
Another strange thing I noticed is this. About a year ago, the environmentalists have claimed to have won an important battle in pushing back the use of the car, in favor of the environment. On the ring roads around the big cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and I believe Den Haag too) the speed limit was reduced to 80. This would be better for the environment, since there was less exhaust fumes, less traffic jams, etc. Now, a year later, they have found out that reducing the speed limit actually causes more traffic jams, making it worse for the environment.
Also near Utrecht I have noticed the following situation:
At one part near Utrecht, you can find the situation as drawn above (sorry for the lousy picture. I am not much of painter). On the ring road around Utrecht, the limit is 80, because of the environment. On the highway right next to the ring, the limit is 100! And this is not just a small section. No, this is about 10 or 15 km long. So, on the ring we are really doing our best to keep the environment clean by driving 80, while 5 meters further they are blowing a lot of exhaust fumes into the air by driving 100.
Don't you think we have taken this thing a little bit too far? Or maybe they haven't thought things thouroughly through? It's nice to think about the environment, and it is important for our kids too. But better think before you act. It is better to win the WAR against polution, than just A battle.
Oh, and for your information, Alec loved his X-mas toys, and can't stop playing with them.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
X-mas shopping
Yesterday we still had to do our X-mas shopping. Just like every year we always postpone it right till the last minute. It seems like it has become a tradition or something. I had bought most of the gifts on Friday already, but we still haven't bought anything for the most important person in our lives, our son Alec. Yeah, I know, I am so ashamed. We have been doubting what to buy for him. Well, I have to be honest, I have been doubting. YuMei (my wife) wanted to buy a nice kids kitchen-set we saw in one of the local chainstores, since Alec always is goofing around in the kitchen, emptying drawers, pretending to cook, and so on. For me, I had second thoughts about it, since it is a BOY we are talking about, and not a girl. BUT, on the other hand, it is a bit sexist of me to think in a boy/girl way. Alec obviously like cooking, kitchen stuff etc. So why not give him something he really likes. Still, the manly man in me keep on resisting the idea, and I have been looking at a lot of alternatives. Since I couldn't find any, I have given it a rest, and decided to go along with the kitchen idea.
YuMei came up with the idea of going to Amsterdam first to have lunch in our favorite DimSum restaurant. Which I thought was a good idea, since somehow I felt these 2 days, yesterday and today, are also a bit special. Maybe it's because the fact that X-mas is on Monday and Tuesday this year (we have 2 x-mas days in Holland). Anyway, we went to Amsterdam to a restaurant called "Oriental City" (O.Z. Voorburgwal 177-179, no, I don't get money for mentioning this).
We sometimes go there with friends, and are never disappointed with the food, and this time was no exception. Below are pictures of the things we had:
As you can see, the names of the dishes are written on the pictures, so I'll try to explain what everything is:
Lap Mee Loh Pak Koo = Fried cake of rice flour and turnip
Ho Yauw Cha Sieuw Pao = Bread filled with Beef
Ma Lai Koo = Steamed Sponge Cake
Saam Si Tja Chon Kuun = Springroll with meat and Chinese mushrooms
Qian Si Juan = Battered Paste of Shrimps and Scallops
Lap Mee Loh Mai Kuun = Roll of Steamed Dough with Sticky Rice and Meat
San Sie (served cold) = Mixture of Seaweed, Beansprouts Carrot in Sweet Vinegar
I must admit, the Lap Mee Loh Mai Kuun was a bit dissappointing, so we won't have that anymore. But the rest was great, as usual.
After that we went to Hoofddorp to check out Toys 'R' Us, which suppost to have a lot of toys for sale, so , you might think that we finally found the right present for Alec. Well...we spend about 1 1/2 hour there, and still hasn't come up with anything. Meanwhile Alec had the time of his life. Playing with all the toys, looking around, seeing other kids. So, we left empty handed, very tired and very dissapointed.
Well, today we finally found the perfect gift for him. A "little people pirate ship"
I will let you know what he thought of it Tuesday.
YuMei came up with the idea of going to Amsterdam first to have lunch in our favorite DimSum restaurant. Which I thought was a good idea, since somehow I felt these 2 days, yesterday and today, are also a bit special. Maybe it's because the fact that X-mas is on Monday and Tuesday this year (we have 2 x-mas days in Holland). Anyway, we went to Amsterdam to a restaurant called "Oriental City" (O.Z. Voorburgwal 177-179, no, I don't get money for mentioning this).
We sometimes go there with friends, and are never disappointed with the food, and this time was no exception. Below are pictures of the things we had:
As you can see, the names of the dishes are written on the pictures, so I'll try to explain what everything is:
Lap Mee Loh Pak Koo = Fried cake of rice flour and turnip
Ho Yauw Cha Sieuw Pao = Bread filled with Beef
Ma Lai Koo = Steamed Sponge Cake
Saam Si Tja Chon Kuun = Springroll with meat and Chinese mushrooms
Qian Si Juan = Battered Paste of Shrimps and Scallops
Lap Mee Loh Mai Kuun = Roll of Steamed Dough with Sticky Rice and Meat
San Sie (served cold) = Mixture of Seaweed, Beansprouts Carrot in Sweet Vinegar
I must admit, the Lap Mee Loh Mai Kuun was a bit dissappointing, so we won't have that anymore. But the rest was great, as usual.
After that we went to Hoofddorp to check out Toys 'R' Us, which suppost to have a lot of toys for sale, so , you might think that we finally found the right present for Alec. Well...we spend about 1 1/2 hour there, and still hasn't come up with anything. Meanwhile Alec had the time of his life. Playing with all the toys, looking around, seeing other kids. So, we left empty handed, very tired and very dissapointed.
Well, today we finally found the perfect gift for him. A "little people pirate ship"
I will let you know what he thought of it Tuesday.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Telesales
The other day I was surfing the net for just anything and nothing, when I came across an ad for the greencard lottery from the US government. Since I always liked a gamble every now and then, and I know this lottery is free, or at least I think it is, I decided to register myself. So, I filled in the form, and pressed continue. And there it was, page 2, with all the prices for a one time deal up to a 4 year subscription. Since I don't wanna pay for something that is free, I closed the page, and forgot about it.
One hour later I got a call from that same company, who had seen that i filled in my details. And they were like sharks. No matter what I did to loosing them, including hanging up, they just wouldn't let go. Just when I was about to get nasty myself too, they apparently realized that I wasn't biting, and a not really friendly manner was the conversation ended.
Annoyingly enough the same thing has happened to me before with a well-known dutch company. And this was probably an even worse violation of my privacy then here above mentioned.
I was checking the Wanadoo homepage, since we were thinking about changing provider. I had to fill in one of those zip-code locator and my housenumber, to see if they have service in this area. Next day I got a call from Wanadoo. They called bcos they saw that I have been checking their site and had a special offer for me. Them calling me, meant that they had found my telephone number through the locator I HAD to fill in, in order for me to continue to the next page. I found that the worst case of privacy violation I have ever seen.
Anyway, I don't know how it is in other parts of the world, but in Holland the business of telemarketing is booming, and at the same time driving everyone nuts.
Talking of telemarketing, I found this site the other day, this is so funny: http://howtoprankatelemarketer.ytmnd.com/
One hour later I got a call from that same company, who had seen that i filled in my details. And they were like sharks. No matter what I did to loosing them, including hanging up, they just wouldn't let go. Just when I was about to get nasty myself too, they apparently realized that I wasn't biting, and a not really friendly manner was the conversation ended.
Annoyingly enough the same thing has happened to me before with a well-known dutch company. And this was probably an even worse violation of my privacy then here above mentioned.
I was checking the Wanadoo homepage, since we were thinking about changing provider. I had to fill in one of those zip-code locator and my housenumber, to see if they have service in this area. Next day I got a call from Wanadoo. They called bcos they saw that I have been checking their site and had a special offer for me. Them calling me, meant that they had found my telephone number through the locator I HAD to fill in, in order for me to continue to the next page. I found that the worst case of privacy violation I have ever seen.
Anyway, I don't know how it is in other parts of the world, but in Holland the business of telemarketing is booming, and at the same time driving everyone nuts.
Talking of telemarketing, I found this site the other day, this is so funny: http://howtoprankatelemarketer.ytmnd.com/
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Loosing my (blog) virginity
Here it is, my first post. Well, actually my second, but my first in english. I have been doubting for a while, whether to write in dutch or English. In dutch I may be able to express myself better, and don't have to worry (much) about writing errors. Although my English is good enough to express my feelings too. Besides, those 2 people reading this, could probably read English better then Dutch.
So....what is this blog about? Good question. I don't know myself either. I have been thinking about a theme or a subject or something, but always came up with lame ideas. So I decided to just go and write whatever is on my mind, and just take it from there. This means that any subject goes, from the firm and strict policy for foreigners here in Holland, to religion. But also about the more trivial questions like what brand of beer to buy. And I can also write about the things that I encounter in normal day-to-day situations. So, one time you might be sitting there almost being bored to death, next time you feel like bashing my brains in, or compliment me with my way of looking at things. Sometimes you might even will be rolling on the floor laughing your heart out. In short, this will be a roller coaster made out of words.
Enjoy reading.
So....what is this blog about? Good question. I don't know myself either. I have been thinking about a theme or a subject or something, but always came up with lame ideas. So I decided to just go and write whatever is on my mind, and just take it from there. This means that any subject goes, from the firm and strict policy for foreigners here in Holland, to religion. But also about the more trivial questions like what brand of beer to buy. And I can also write about the things that I encounter in normal day-to-day situations. So, one time you might be sitting there almost being bored to death, next time you feel like bashing my brains in, or compliment me with my way of looking at things. Sometimes you might even will be rolling on the floor laughing your heart out. In short, this will be a roller coaster made out of words.
Enjoy reading.
Friday, December 01, 2006
View on Taiwan
- 2007-01-03 View on Taiwan: To love and to hate
- 2007-01-07 The Taiwanese and the English language
- 2007-01-10 Taiwanese hospitality
Life
- 2006-12-20 Telesales
- 2006-12-24 X-mas shopping
- 2006-12-26 Driving in Holland
- 2007-01-01 Happy New Year
- 2007-01-02 Just for you daddies out there
- 2007-01-04 Fireworks
- 2007-01-06 Dancing with the media
- 2007-01-08 Confession
- 2007-01-10 Homesick
Diverse
- 2006-12-19 Loosing my (blog) virginity
- 2006-12-29 Aviation Humor
- 2006-12-30 Funny video
- 2006-12-31 How I write my blog
- 2007-01-01 Saddam Hoessein
- 2007-01-04 What a kiss means
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