🎶On the seventh day of shutdown the POTUS said to me:

🎶On the seventh day of shutdown the POTUS said to me:
I'll shut the border down!
Look here, our Navy SEALS!
This is a witch hunt!
Stop the caravan!
I never liked Mattis!
I need a Chief of Staff!
I want my wall, so give me money!🎶
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/28/trump-mexico-border-wall-democrats-fund-shutdown

Ave Maria, the atheist version

Ave Maria, the atheist version

Originally shared by Sabine Hossenfelder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd5hT7Zv0rk&feature=autoshare

Just enjoy the holidays!

Just enjoy the holidays!

Via Hartmut Noack

Originally shared by Laura Natale

Two birds with one stove - just like the proverb said...

Two birds with one stove - just like the proverb said...

Hmm, is that enough marzipan...?

Hmm, is that enough marzipan...?

I wonder what will become of this.

I wonder what will become of this. If you mention "Christmas" at a Taiwanese university, students will usually respond with "Oh yes, the Christmas dance party!"

This appeared on the campus now, but it doesn't look like dance party. Most songs they played during sound checks can be found in my Christmas playlist, which makes me wonder: Does our university really arrange a reasonable celebration? I need to find out when this will take place...

#nkust #高科大

Packaging some more gingerbread for sale - our student council really got into the Christmas business now.

Packaging some more gingerbread for sale - our student council really got into the Christmas business now.

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

Our student council is often complaining that they don't have any money, so I suggested they should do something...

Our student council is often complaining that they don't have any money, so I suggested they should do something about it. Humanities students do unfortunately usually not have many choices in that regard. None of our students is (to my knowledge) flipping burgers, but the general alternatives are not too exciting either.

But why not apply what you have learned? When students learn a language, they usually also learn something about the country, including the local food. Christmas is approaching and Germany has some goodies to offer for this occasion, so why not...?

Most student activities need to be applied for at the office for student affairs - and they just love extensive applications. After I saw the one for Octoberfest, I could understand our students' hesitation. Luckily, the university supports and encourages start-ups, for which another office is responsible - and those people apparently hate paperwork, which was great for us.

So we set out to spread the joy of Stollen and gingerbread. My weekly baking activity was hijacked by the student council, I became their "consultant". This is the first time they do this and of course a lot of problems need to be solved. But students have become enthusiastic and I'm looking forward to the results after Christmas. So far we must have made more than 60 (small) Stollen and 12 or more kilograms of gingerbread. I hope this week will be a little quieter, but probably not...

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

Octopus spaghetti, or rather, as my students put it, jellyfish spaghetti.

Octopus spaghetti, or rather, as my students put it, jellyfish spaghetti. I need to come up with something new for the next meeting with my students...

Last preparations for the final performance

Last preparations for the final performance

Low light, sorry.

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

Almost no leaves, but blossoming as if there is no tomorrow...

Almost no leaves, but blossoming as if there is no tomorrow...

The rest of the semester will finally be a little more relaxed: The graduation theatre is over, so I won't go to...

The rest of the semester will finally be a little more relaxed: The graduation theatre is over, so I won't go to evening practices anymore. Unfortunately, it seems some timing wasn't ideal, none of the invited German/Austrian/Swiss VIPs could come to see the performance, so students even tricked me into saying a few words on the stage.

I was quite impressed by the stage decorations and accessories. I had seen our students working on those since summer, but the final result was stunning. Everything you see was made at very low cost, but to very high standards and with great attention to detail. There was for example even a photo of the family in the living room. They all invested a lot of effort in this. In a behind-the-scenes video they all answered the same when asked what they will do after the performance: Go sleeping, possibly for 24 hours.

The play was based on E. T. A. Hoffmann's Nutcracker, with some modifications, written by the students themselves. I was mainly helping with language issues and showed students that their phones and tablets are much better replacements for paper when it comes to dealing with the script. Welcome to 2018...

Our student council used the opportunity to sell some German Christmas goodies, Stollen and gingerbread. As tutoring teacher I got the obligatory flowers (Which I'd prefer not to get, but...) and something rather unexpected: Not the Spanish Inquisition, a Totoro! In some ways I must be quite transparent... Now I'm curious who had the idea with the Totoro and when the video will be online...

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

I suppose spending millions of US$ in other countries to influence referendums there is that so-called "War on...

I suppose spending millions of US$ in other countries to influence referendums there is that so-called "War on Christianity"? No?

“Social conservative voices are rising in Taiwan,” says Ketty Chen of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, “and they are found to have a growing and consistent relationship with evangelical conservatives in the United States”.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/what-went-wrong-taiwan-fails-legalise-same-sex-marriage

See? In Germany, even the roads are paved with chocolate...

See? In Germany, even the roads are paved with chocolate...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/12/12/chocolate/

Come again? Cold war is running at full steam!

Come again? Cold war is running at full steam!
https://www.defensenews.com/outlook/2018/12/10/nato-secretary-general-the-cold-war-is-over-but-big-challenges-remain/

Blue passportesses!

Blue passportesses!

#brexit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjp5OmoDYQM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjp5OmoDYQM

Like every year, some of my former students come for a Christmas lunch.

Like every year, some of my former students come for a Christmas lunch. This was the first one this year, at least one more should follow. Just like Halloween, Taiwan doesn't really celebrate this, but my students got hooked on gingerbread, Stollen and roasted duck/goose. Plus, it's a good chance to meet their fellows - and show their children...

This year we will have a small Christmas celebration at the department and I am responsible for the food stuff.

This year we will have a small Christmas celebration at the department and I am responsible for the food stuff. I started with Stollen at home and should have student helpers for gingerbread tomorrow. A pity the department doesn't have a tree...

What do you do as a student club when another club has booked the large room you usually use for teaching and...

What do you do as a student club when another club has booked the large room you usually use for teaching and practice? You simply occupy the corridor! Our guitar club ("The One") improvising...

#nkust #高科大

So that's where the millions of US$ came from that were invested into those campaigns.

So that's where the millions of US$ came from that were invested into those campaigns. Meddling in foreign elections...

American anti-gay activists were influential

US-based evangelicals flocked to the country to lobby against LGBT+ rights ahead of the votes.

According to Taiwanese marriage campaigner Jennifer Lu, American activists from the National Organisation for Marriage were responsible for “instigating the three anti-LGBTQ measures on the ballot.”
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/11/29/taiwan-gay-marriage-referendum-invalid/

And now all together!

And now all together!

Originally shared by Dan J. Wilcox

🎶🎶 Come on everybody, sing along with me 🎶🎶

Almond slices are so versatile: Need an angel but don't have an angel cookie cutter?

Almond slices are so versatile: Need an angel but don't have an angel cookie cutter? No problem! Want to give your elephant ears big enough that he could fly? Easy!

When students get bored...

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

When students get bored: hippos with wings and hippo dinosaurs...

When students get bored: hippos with wings and hippo dinosaurs...

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

During my most recent baking activity with students we made gingerbread.

During my most recent baking activity with students we made gingerbread. Interestingly, all students who joined this time did so for the first time, it had taken them a little over a year to finally notice my announcements (written only in German, evil as I am).

When they had to wait for the oven to release the ready cookies, they got bored - and creative, so we got hippos with wings and hippos transformed into dinosaurs etc. I guess next time the limited participant slots for the activity (Our department kitchen is not the TARDIS.) will be gone quickly...

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

Only two weeks left until our fourth year will perform their graduation theatre, students start getting nervous.

Only two weeks left until our fourth year will perform their graduation theatre, students start getting nervous. I was really surprised by this year's stage decorations. The group working on those started in summer and has been on it almost every day - and it shows.

This year they also plan meticulously who will when move which items from where to where, the photo showing such planning. That leaves me with some more pronunciation training...

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

More fallout from yesterday's elections and referendums.

More fallout from yesterday's elections and referendums. The millions US$ invested in their campaign have paid for conservatives, same-sex marriage must now be governed by a special law and is not quite equal. Another reason for this turn may be the pressure exercised from abroad on progressive parties and movements:

Beijing has intensified pressure on Taiwan under Tsai, upping military drills, poaching diplomatic allies and successfully convincing international businesses to list the island as part of China on their websites.

The DPP is traditionally pro-independence and Tsai has refused to acknowledge Beijing’s stance that Taiwan is part of “one China”, unlike her KMT predecessor Ma Ying-jeou.

Ahead of the vote, Tsai and DPP officials repeatedly accused China of meddling in the lead-up to the elections by operating a “fake news” campaign. Beijing has denied the allegations.


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/24/anti-gay-marriage-groups-win-taiwan-referendum-battle

Taiwan had huge elections ("9 in 1") yesterday, coupled with a number of referendums and it looks like Taiwan is...

Taiwan had huge elections ("9 in 1") yesterday, coupled with a number of referendums and it looks like Taiwan is turning more conservative, partially due to pressure by the big neighbour claiming to own the place. One fallout from the referendums is the reinstallation of nuclear power.

A Trend Survey Research poll commissioned by pro-nuclear activists before the vote found that one of the strongest arguments for nuclear was, “Solar and wind are not stable, and are expensive,” attracting 71% agreement.

Unfortunately it's easy to give people the impression that renewables are "expensive" by simply showing them how much solar panels cost, compared to their bi-monthly bill. Of course that's comparing apples with oranges and panel makers these days give warranties of 25 or more years, not two months, but simple people are easily swayed by simple numbers.

Talking of simple numbers: I still haven't seen a cost estimate from any country for nuclear waste storage. Could it be because none has been found so far?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2018/11/24/pro-nuclear-activists-win-landslide-electoral-victory-in-taiwan/

Just two years ago, Donald Trump made some remarks that are "remarkable" when seen again today:

Just two years ago, Donald Trump made some remarks that are "remarkable" when seen again today:

Trump last week accused Clinton of turning the State Department “into her private hedge fund.” “The Russians, the Saudis, the Chinese all gave money to Bill and Hillary and got favorable treatment in return,” he said then. “It's a sad day in America when foreign governments with deep pockets have more influence in our own country than our great citizens.”

Well said...

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/trump-clinton-foundation-224287

Via João Rita


Originally shared by Eduardo Ramirez

Surprise, Mr.

Surprise, Mr. Bannon! Not every country has monetized politics to the same degree as the US, where anyone with enough money may buy as many politicians as they can...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/21/steve-bannons-rightwing-europe-operation-undermined-by-election-laws

Arrest her, she's making sense!

Arrest her, she's making sense! Who knows, next she might want to make voting equally easy for everyone. Heresy! If she gets through with that, the US might one day actually become a democracy, how strange a thought is that!
http://www.newsweek.com/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-wants-replace-columbus-day-holiday-election-day-1221904

It's the tropics, obviously...

It's the tropics, obviously...

This is the "Long Life Pavilion" on Mt. Shoushan in Kaohsiung, in Taiwan's south. Many monkeys around...

This is the "Long Life Pavilion" on Mt. Shoushan in Kaohsiung, in Taiwan's south. Many monkeys around...

Title

Good point...

Good point...

Originally shared by Dan J. Wilcox

Oh, burn!

👊

There we go again.

There we go again. The publishers have lobbied for their money printing machine for quite some time. They got one in Germany, but then noticed that when they use it, they will stab themselves in the back.

The ideal legislation would guarantee them an income, no matter what happens and what other people may want to do. But just like they can't come up with a satisfiable business model in this era, they can't find how to write such legislation. If they do ask Google (The relevant law in Germany has the nickname Lex Google, because it was clearly aimed at Google, while also hurting others.) to pay for news snippets, Google will simply terminate news and the publishers will see an immense drop in visitors, which leads to an equal drop in ad revenue.

The law the Guardian talks about has been pushed by Axel Voss, a CDU MEP who emphasized how all those poor artists and content creators need to be protected.
https://qz.com/1389385/article-11-and-article-13-axel-voss-is-surprised-by-eu-copyright-law/

Not surprisingly, all those articles that actually meant to protect artists etc were weakened or eliminated behind closed doors as soon as the European Parliament had voted for this law. Publishers won again and Mr. Voss will very likely receive a nice Christmas bonus from his masters.
https://netzpolitik.org/2018/urheberrecht-aerger-im-eu-parlament-ueber-verwaesserten-schutz-fuer-kuenstler/
(German only, sorry)

Unfortunately, history needs to repeat again and again. Btw, the Guardian article mentions something the publishers always distort in their arguments: Google is not making money from news, there are no ads. And if learn-resistant publishers get their way, soon it will be hard to find news - at least in Europe...
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/nov/18/google-news-may-shut-over-eu-plans-to-charge-tax-for-links

This must be the latest fashion around here...

This must be the latest fashion around here...

I seem to have a really bad influence on our students: When I started to teach here, they would play really boring...

I seem to have a really bad influence on our students: When I started to teach here, they would play really boring music during activities.

These days, when they for example like in the photo advertise their graduation theatre, I can hear from far away either "Die Toten Hosen" oder "Die Ärzte", my two favourite German bands.

That's when I have to think of Louis Armstrong: "And I think to myself, what a wonderful world..."

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

Coming from General Bone Spurs, those words have an immense weight...

Coming from General Bone Spurs, those words have an immense weight...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/13/trump-macron-eu-army-german-second-world-war

Makes sense.

Makes sense.

Via Kristian Köhntopp

Originally shared by Irreverent Monk

Today's motivational thought:

No sense in being pessimistic. It wouldn't work anyway.

Gigi, Guardian of the Gingerbread

Gigi, Guardian of the Gingerbread

Behold! The power of German!

Behold! The power of German!

Originally shared by Joerg Fliege

Efficiency, bitches.

Amazing Ukrainian democratic freedom fighters - OK, they carry Nazi symbols.

Amazing Ukrainian democratic freedom fighters - OK, they carry Nazi symbols. OK, they do the Nazi salute. But they can't be Nazis, no (living) Ukrainian politician sees any Nazis around...

Via Neesee M Clément

Originally shared by Graham Phillips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dAS3VZCZ_E&feature=autoshare

Never happens when I send a message...

Never happens when I send a message...

Originally shared by H George Tavakoli