Happy New Year!!!!!

[bd popeye]

Happy New Year!:roll:

The time is approaching for 2007. Some of our members are already there..Some who live in Europe are awaiting the beginning of a new year..

So..How come so many of you nerds are on the internet on News Years Eve???:D Did your mom lock you in the basement??
No date? Can't get a woman??? Just what is it?? Too ugly????:D

Hey I'm old and married..perfectly happy..

So all kidding aside what are your plans for New Years Eve??

Happy New Year to all!!!!!

[The_Zergling]

Just completed Urbana 06 in St. Louis, and I'm probably not sleeping at all since I have to get on a really early train tomorrow. Peace all!

[Gollevainen]

...you are always so encouraging popeye:D :D

Another year needs to be survived...bring it on, golly is ready:nana:

[SampanViking]

Well we had a great evening last night and hope that you guys did as well

Happy New Year;)

[bd popeye]

Wadda bunch of party poopers!! No drunken brawls? No wild nights of sex? No arrest??? Was the mosh pit closed???..Jeez..:D Just kidding.;)

This was my New Years eve..

1)Watched Tv...

2) Fell asleep about 10:30pm

3) Woke up to pee at 1:30am..missed midnight! Dang!

4) Woke up at 7:35am and watched Tv....

Now that's excitement!:D

[Gollevainen]

So how many times you have to wake up for pee during the night??;) ;)

[FuManChu]

Wadda bunch of party poopers!! No drunken brawls? No wild nights of sex? No arrest??? Was the mosh pit closed???..Jeez..

Hey, it's alright for you! Some of us have to get back to work after New Year's! :p

[bd popeye]

So how many times you have to wake up for pee during the night??;) ;)

Just once..don't worry. :D It will happen to you!:D

Hey, it's alright for you! Some of us have to get back to work after New Year's!

Hey i work too..just part time..I'm off today..In fact since Christmas I've been to work just twice..That's all that was scheduled..:)

[Gollevainen]

Just once..don't worry. It will happen to you!

I know...just a little counter strike for us "kids";) :D

[Finn McCool]

Ehh, I've been sick. So I'm a bit housebound.

[Scratch]

Hey, I'm back from my one week vacation. Happy new year everybody. Main aim of my holiday was snowboarding, but since we were really short of snow I wasn't all that successfull.

[bd popeye]

Hey, I'm back from my one week vacation. Happy new year everybody. Main aim of my holiday was snowboarding, but since we were really short of snow I wasn't all that successfull.

No snow in Germany? same here in eastern Iowa USA. Or average snowfall for Nov-April is 2+meters. So far this "snow season" Zero snow. Plus we have above normal tempeatures for winter. They claim it's El Ninio effect. I think it's Al Gore!!!:D

[Scratch]

We had snow showers one day and it melted away the other. Than we got new snow again, but it only lasted for two more days. Temperatures are far to high. On the highest mountains there was some snow, we went to the Zugspitze one day, we had snow there, even some powder but the weather was awfull. Windy, low clouds, poor visibility.

[Gollevainen]

We havent have permanent snow since october:mad: :mad:

But I read somewhere that last year was the warmest of all meassured years by the meterologists. It beated year 1998, and I also heard that there was El Ninõ in the pacific this year:confused: ...wich naturally explains everything;)

[bd popeye]

We havent have permanent snow since october:mad: :mad:

But I read somewhere that last year was the warmest of all meassured years by the meterologists. It beated year 1998, and I also heard that there was El Ninõ in the pacific this year:confused: ...wich naturally explains everything;)

I'm telling you it's all Al Gore's fault!:D

But actually I saw on the news that the meteroligist are blaming all this warm winter weather worldwide on El Nino..

You want snow? Denver CO USA has had over 1m of snow since the December...

Newsflash..there was a massive avalanche in Colorado USA. Not many details right now..They have had up nearly 2m of snow in the Colorado Rockie Mountains

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070106/ap_on_re_us/colorado_avalanche

DENVER - A huge avalanche buried several cars and sent others over the edge Saturday on U.S. 40 near 11,307-foot-high Berthoud Pass, Colorado highway officials said.

"Our crews said it was the largest they have ever seen. It took three paths," said Stacey Stegman, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Crews had rescued at least six people at the site some 60 miles west of Denver, she said.

Rescuers were probing the area for other survivors.

She said some cars were buried by the snow in an area called Stanley near Berthoud Falls between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m.

Berthoud Pass is the main route to Winter Park, one of Colorado's largest ski areas.

[Gollevainen]

Or Thor has lost his hammer and cant keep the northern winds in check, so those have rode of and no one brings the arctic chill:D :D

But in many places of our not so rich areas, winter tourism is big thing and that loses lots of its lure with lack of snow..

[bd popeye]

Well the weater reportes here in Iowa claim we are in for some heavy snow on Sunday and Monday...We shall see.

Here are some pics of me frolicking in the snow in Dec 2005. We got about .5m(18 inches) of snow that December.

[Gollevainen]

Well thats how it should look here in normal winters...:(

[bd popeye]

Well thats how it should look here in normal winters...:(

Here also. We should have at least a foot of snow on the ground right now. Last year and the first year I lived here we had at least a foot of snow on the ground all winter.

Guys should be riding their snowmobiles on frozen lakes and rivers. Kids should be throwing snow balls at each other! Instead its 9c!! In January..that's 49F for those of you in the US...

Sure it's gonna snow this weekend..yea right!

[Scratch]

We have currently around 50F+ at noon and (heavy) storms, wich normally occur for a short time in spring, due to the warm weather.

[bd popeye]

It's raining here right now. Just like in the spring! Raining in January!!!

They say it's El Nino..No way I say! It's all Al Gores fault!!!

[SampanViking]

Well lots of strangeness at the moment. Tibet is hitting 20C in some places, whilst Southern China is down below 15C

Weird!!!

UK is warm wet and windy, so far this year we have barely seen a frost and no snow whatsoever.

[FuManChu]

I'd like to think random weather is just that - random. But I must admit I think global warming is at least partly behind it. Question is, will the relevant people take action while we can?

[Gollevainen]

Well at least here, as we have parlament-elections this spring, the reccord warm year and snowless winter has made the global warming enter into those speeches that you usually hear during the elections (and oddly never again until the next elections:rolleyes: :rolleyes: ). The largest party, agrar conservatives even made a turn-coat deccission to start supporting new nuclear reactors becouse the global warming. A important move as now the pro-nuclear factor here has majority...

But that could also be seen as good sings as the politics perhaps soonly bgun realising that the warming is an issue that frightens people and it could be exploited. Perhaps in distant future that we also lead into dessions. (if nothing more good, it can slowly dwiligth the green party as mine's biggest competitor as you dont need to vote them solely if you want those issues to be heard)

[SampanViking]

Well I must confess that I am a sceptic about much of the Global Warming Hype around these days. Not that I doubt that the climate is getting warmer, is certianly is, but about the guilt politics and Green "Industry" that seems to have bolted itslf onto the issue and made it its own.

As Golly says, it does frighten people and today the Politics of fear are definitly in fashion.

The trouble is, if you say Global Warming is a purely natural event and is going to happen irrespective, than nobody is going to spend mega bucks in order to find out about it.

If however, Scientists and Politicans can tell us that its all our fault and that only they (Suitably financed) can save us from our own folly, than the funds start to roll.

I would remind you that we are just emerging form a relatively cool phase from the last 800 years and that todays tempretures are probably less than those of a 1000 years ago (Norse dicoveries of Greenland and Vinland) and certainly still less warm than in the European Bronze Age of the 2nd and 3rd Millennia BC.

[FuManChu]

I don't know about Scandanavia, but the Green lobby is not that strong. Remember that the oil barons have their own "experts" and scientists. Others sit in the middle. So really I doubt the message would have become so powerful if it was just an attempt to make money.

Besides it isn't just about global warming. It's about landfill mountains, wasting natural resources, etc. If we don't change our ways and global warming doesn't kill us, resource wars could.

Seriously there's quite a bit that could be done without massively changing society - such as having mandatory rules on the amount of insulation in houses (e.g. if one is sold it has to be brought up to spec), enforced recycling, more car pool lanes, etc.

[Scratch]

It's raining here right now. Just like in the spring! Raining in January!!!

They say it's El Nino..No way I say! It's all Al Gores fault!!!

Why can't I get rid of the feeling that you have a certain disliking of the person that "used to be the next president of the US" ?? :D
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nuclear energy was found as our main "problem", so we are to shut down all nuke plants until 2025 at least. These produce currently 12,5% of all our energy or 26% of all electricity. That alone is to be replaced by renewable energies and efficiency. Now there's hardly any room left for reducing CO2 ...

[bd popeye]

Why can't I get rid of the feeling that you have a certain disliking of the person that "used to be the next president of the US" ??

I cannot stand that guy. He talks too much.....Ooppss no politics!!

Global warming is Al Gores fault. It must be, he wrote a book about and made a dumb movie nobody watched about it!!!

Anyway today the weather is more winter like. It's -5c(23F) right now.....Maybe we will get that snow after all!

[Gollevainen]

well green lobby hasent been that strong In here (thougth the overal concept of lobbying is seen as odd and undemocratic and really doesent belong to our political culture, wich however is rather unique...even from other scandinavia).
Of what I ment was that green issues has really become a realistic political tool for non-green candinates that formerly have duly ignored it...and that means less votes for the green party that is competing votes of the party I support and that party will have now a change to succee...

But Fumanchu there is rigth, its not all about green house effect. Bitchiest outcome would be that due allready warming climate by pure natural means gets boosted up by green-house, we would go down pretty fast...but understanding who really has the power in these days, I fear that the crucial deccissions would be made when they have become practically useless.

[sumdud]

The Green is virtually unheard of in the world's currently most wasteful nation/union. Unless it is Election time the Green is in outerspace, and even when election time comes, less than half of the people know of their existence.
Maybe Al Gore should join the Green!

We are at about average here, but might hit 0C tonight. (If you don't know what that is in F you should be ashamed of yourself, American!) We have our weather, but no rain!!!! Usually there should be at least 2cm of rain by here for January, but nothing! The entire coast from North Vancouver to National City is clear of clouds!

I need to water my plants since no rain is here but I can't because that'll freeze them, especially my garlic in the pool of water downstair!

[bd popeye]

The man from 'Frisco sez
The Green is virtually unheard of in the world's currently most wasteful nation/union. Unless it is Election time the Green is in outerspace, and even when election time comes, less than half of the people know of their existence.
Maybe Al Gore should join the Green!

Very true! Most American voters don't even know about the Green Party.It's just a name they see on their ballots on Election day. If Al Gore joined them he would take away votes from the Democrats. He's not gonna do that.

It's very cloudy and cold...18F(-7C)..It may snow tomorrow...

[Gollevainen]

So are all senators and congress mens from just of the two parties(democrats or republicans):confused:


anyway, 5 cm (~two inches) snow this morning:china: :nana: :nana:

[bd popeye]

So are all senators and congress mens from just of the two parties(democrats or republicans):confused:

anyway, 5 cm (~two inches) snow this morning:china: :nana: :nana:

Yes is the answer to your first question..With a few(very few) independents thrown in.

It may snow about the same amount here this evening. I will believe it when I see it.

[bd popeye]

It's very icey here this morning. Our car is covered in ice. There are patches of ice everywhere....

As for snow..it's susposed to snow about 150mm(6 in):) starting this afternoon. Winter storm advisorys have been issued.

I hope those snowmobiles are tuned up!!

[Gollevainen]

well finally some snow in here also....

[Finn McCool]

Man I live in Southern California and it is getting to be 32 degrees F here at night. There's frost on the roads and stuff in LA. Its too cold for me, too cold. Especially because I have to do nightime water polo practice.

[bd popeye]

It snowed here last night. About 3" to 4". It's very beautiful...:)

Ok I've seen snow for this year..I'm happy!

[speculator]

No snow for me in Holland. the outside temp is about 10c and its very windy. its been like this for the whole winter :( although in china it slowed quite heavily and that almost made me miss my flight back :)

[sumdud]

It's been 2 months into the rainy season (and that's by the standard of the last half decade! Rain use to start around September.) and we have had less than 10 ten days of rain!!!!! I can live without free water for my plants, but if I can't water them at all due to a useless freeze, then that totally sucks!!!

Anyway, new year resolutions?
I need to reduce my mass by another 5 kilo....

[Scratch]

Smudud
Anyway, new year resolutions?
I need to reduce my mass by another 5 kilo....

I'd like to add perhaps 3-5kg ... :D

[bd popeye]

It's gonna snow tomorrow here in Iowa. The National Weather Service has a Severe Weather Alert out for our area. It calls for 1"-2"(2.5cm-5cm) of snow after midnight with an additional 2"-5"(5cm-12cm) tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be a great day to stay indoors and watch the NFL AFC & NFC championship games:)

[Gollevainen]

Finally we have also some almoust permanent snow cover and currently a -15 degree (celsius) freeze going on:)

[bd popeye]

Yeah after tomorrow our snow will probally last for some time. Our snow from last week is holding well because it's so cold. -17c(0F) to about -1C(30F) daily. The The last time, January 2005, 12cm was predicted we got 38CM!

[Scratch]

Well, finally it's winter here as well. But again it probably won't last long, perhaps in the Alps.
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/5516/gartenwinter8qv.th.jpg (http://img267.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gartenwinter8qv.jpg)http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/6495/neubaugebiet3tv.th.jpg (http://img178.imageshack.us/my.php?image=neubaugebiet3tv.jpg)http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2638/wartberg2hg.th.jpg (http://img413.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wartberg2hg.jpg)

That's how it looks like here.

[bd popeye]

This thread has turned into the locall weather ...:) That's cool.:)

Well it has been very, very cold here in Iowa USA...It has not been over 10F(-12c) the last few days . At night it has been as cold as -18F(-27c) Right now it is 4F(15.5c) As cold as it is it snowed 2 inches(5cm) today.

[Gollevainen]

-26.6 Celsius in here at the moment and it's going down to -30 in the night here in Hämeenlinna. In Lapland it was -40 degrees Celsius last night and it's expected to go down there again tonight....so so much about the global warming


...And my bloody piece of junk (Saab 900 '85) is taking a holliday in this week as noway it starts in these temperatures:mad: :mad:

[Scratch]

... And my bloody piece of junk (Saab 900 '85) is taking a holliday in this week as noway it starts in these temperatures:mad: :mad:

I remember a TV report about Siberia. Becuse of the very cold weather, the people just didn't shut down the engine of their cars when not driving. :)
Of course only in the winter ;)

[Gollevainen]

With gasprize like these (around 1.15-20 €/l) noway!!!;)

[rhino123]

Hey, you actually know? Its nearly Chinese New Year (around 17/02/07). I think I will start planning what to do on the Chinese New Year Eve since I missed the other New Year Eve.

Did any of you Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year in the West?

[The_Zergling]

Hey, you actually know? Its nearly Chinese New Year (around 17/02/07). I think I will start planning what to do on the Chinese New Year Eve since I missed the other New Year Eve.

Did any of you Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year in the West?

I think most "Chinese" families celebrate Chinese New Year even after they've moved to other countries. I put "Chinese" in quotes because Taiwanese and Vietnamese among others celebrate the equivalents.

At the very least from personal experience I know that our Asian friends and family would always celebrate it, though not on the scale as back home.

[Jiang]

I think most "Chinese" families celebrate Chinese New Year even after they've moved to other countries. I put "Chinese" in quotes because Taiwanese and Vietnamese among others celebrate the equivalents.

At the very least from personal experience I know that our Asian friends and family would always celebrate it, though not on the scale as back home.

Yes, I do. I live in US but still celebrate Chinese New Year. It is fun.:china:

[The_Zergling]

Yes, I do. I live in US but still celebrate Chinese New Year. It is fun.:china:

I actually haven't met a single "Asian" person in the States who doesn't celebrate the Chinese New Year. At any rate at my college campus there are multiple student groups each orchestrating a celebration for it, should be interesting.

[sumdud]

Yeap, we do, in the cities. (If you find some in the towns, they are probably new immigrants too poor to celebrate) Here in San Francisco, the mainland Chinese and and Taiwanese and Vietnamese and......The Chinese Lunar New Year celebrating groups accounting for like a quarter of our population, so it's big here. Chinatown hosts its annual street fairs, banners, etc. The stores outside Chinatown might not have things this big, but you would usually still notice some decorations.

The families celebrate a lot, and the ABCs (American born Chinese) either like it for the you-know-what, or hate it because it's the only thing their families celebrate and they give not a dime.

[bd popeye]

Since there's a Chinese New Years thread>>>> back to snow talk!!!

Since the 15th of January we have had snow on the ground. He have had about 40cm of snow scice that time. But this week it warmed up a bit and a lot of the snow melted. In fact before the warming trend our average high daily temperature was -15C(4.5F) for the last month....

Today here in eastern Iowa we are expecting about 1.2cm (1/2 inch) of ice..most of which is here already ...And 17-33cm of snow.(7in-13in)..we shall see!

[bd popeye]

I'm back! The ice storm knocked out power all over eastern Iowa. Our power just now about 1 hour ago came back on. No electricity sucks...Power is tsill out all over this area. They say the rural areas may not have power for a week.

We got about 1 inch of ice and about three inches of very wet snow.

[Scratch]

Hey popeye, have you lived on emergency power then? Being without power, the imagination of no i-net sounds hard. ;)

It's rainy here these days, temperatures are around 10°C or 50°F. Strange thing that we use temperature system of a swedish I think and you that of a german ;) His (Fahrenheit's) fixed points were somewhat arbitrarily anyway.
About two weeks ago it looked like this (don't get fooled by the fact that I take my pictures most times at good weather :) ):

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/1653/imgng1.th.jpg (http://img404.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imgng1.jpg)http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/5214/img1vp0.th.jpg (http://img404.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1vp0.jpg)

Since this thread is somewhat general, I have a question that doesn't fit anywhere and is a bit applied geography. I do not mean to discuss anything, I just have a simple question.
Something that always bothered me is: how is determind who can vote in the (presidential) primeries of a specific party? I mean what would hinder a supporter of party A to vote in the primeries of party B for a candidate he thinks will have poor chances in the overall election against the candidate of his party A??
Are only party members allowed in this vote?

[bd popeye]

Hey popeye, have you lived on emergency power then? Being without power, the imagination of no i-net sounds hard.


Emergency power? Nope. The building I live in has none. Most people here do not have an emergency generator. Don't get me wrong plenty do have one but most don't...Trust me no electricity for one day sucks...


Something that always bothered me is: how is determind who can vote in the (presidential) primeries of a specific party? I mean what would hinder a supporter of party A to vote in the primeries of party B for a candidate he thinks will have poor chances in the overall election against the candidate of his party A??
Are only party members allowed in this vote?

Registered voters can vote. You need not be a member of any political party. But in the primaries you have to designate yourself what party you favor. You can also designate yourself as an independent...

Many times in the past opposing party members would vote in a rivals primary to give the candidate they think would lose against their parties candidate.