The German public and municipal leaders have been keenly aware of a shortage of affordable housing for some time now, a problem tackled by motions to outlaw entrepreneurial ventures like offering a spare room to rent or a couch to crash on (as an alternative to traditional hosteling and probably at the bidding of the hotel industry) but really exacerbated by industry-spin, I think, to convince potential investors to buy up blocks of flats and raise the stakes and the competition by appealing to their drive not to miss a prospect. It's something tantalising, like the venerated first time home-owner, to appeal to those with the means to have long crossed that goal and others off their list. The trend, which started with properties in the former East Germany, has continued to spread and in my second-city, I see quite a few rentals managed by consortium. I believe that the relationship between a tenet and his tenement ought to remain something personal, and not something akin to a health management organisation—ones HMO that defines ones health to ones hearth.
Wednesday 4 December 2013
schnรคppchen or landlord
Tuesday 3 December 2013
five minutes to midnight or loose-nukes
On the really interest-piquing and enthusiastic blog, known as Today I Found Out, there is thoughtful article on the story, which has been circulating like an urban-legend, regarding the what would not be considered a strong-password associated with the so-called Football, the nuclear launch device that the US president keeps on his person at all times.
Monday 2 December 2013
relative poverty
I cannot add anything of value to this narrative regarding concerning a live in endless cycle of poverty without the luxury of planning or the sort of fancy, subsidised foresight that we imagine ourselves to enjoy from an outsiders' perspective, except that this story is a provoking and important one to read (and reflect upon and share) and apply to ones own contrived blinders.
catagories: labour
bay of rainbows
China has successful launched a probe expected to enter orbit around the Moon on 6. December and make landing the following week in a lunar region called the Bay of Rainbows—Sinus Iridum, an area relatively flat and free and free of craters being a youngish plain of an ancient lava flow and not far from where the Soviet Luna 17 probe touched down in November of 1970 and bounded by the Jura mountain range—of the Moon.
Sunday 1 December 2013
rorschacht or pareidolia
catagories: ๐ง , graphic design, networking and blogging, Star Wars
pro bono publico
The Washington Post has a sweet article on the evolving efforts of the Holy See to expand its charitable works. Confident of Pope John Paul II in his later years, Francis I appointed Archbishop Konrad Krajewski as his chief almoner, responsible for acting as the pope's giving-ombudsman, both raising and distributing contributions, including with far nobler indulgences.
catagories: ๐จ๐ญ, ๐ฎ๐น, ✝️, revolution
this day in PfRC history
Looking back at the chronicles: one year ago today: Good Saint Nick with a short biography about the life and legend of the saint and his patronages.
Two years ago today: the Other Shoe recounting internet censorship efforts through fairy-tale idylls.
Five years ago today: in former communist East Germany, the Government works for You with Thanksgiving dinner at the army mess-hall and experiences, impressions from my first trip to Leipzig.
catagories: ๐, holidays and observances, networking and blogging