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Thursday 17 December 2009
It has happened. Real winter. It's really cold here. Minus a lot. Like it should be this time of year.
Only it hasn't been like that for years. But so far so good, we still haven't reached the part when it actually hurts to breathe. (But after a few hours work outside by the sea it hurts by now already I tell you, but I've done worse during past years. Not complaining though. Now that we're getting a white christmas and all).
I'm watching teenage girls and selfaware chicks freeze their behinds off in short jackets and skinny jeans. The sadistic asshole part of me secretly laughs at their vanity (or stupidity, however you want it) and makes me feel so relieved that I don't give a damn anymore in that sense - my first priority is to stay warm. (I saw a girl last weekend, visiting a Christmas outdoor fare, wearing satin peeptoes in the snowstorm. Not even I would go that far even though I may push it with wearing open heels as long as possible). I go for what Underbara Clara calls "The Finnish Winter War Chic". Something that she of course says with a pinch of salt and a whole lot of humor, referring to how Finland pre- WWII resisted the Soviet army with the help of an extremely hard and cold winter. And well with a whole lot o f military strategy too. (Those who know their history might find that slightly ironic since those who have tried to invade Russia or The Soviet failed, conquered by the cold. But this time it was the other way around. Sort of.)
But OK enough on war strategy now, the thing I'm after here is the dressing warm to survive the cold, making it nice with layers of knitted socks and sweaters, scarfs and thick jackets. And keeping warm is of course a strategy of it's own.
So here whe go:
The Anatomy of Dressing Warm When Really Really Cold Outside (& still trying to look good).
Fig.1The thing with layering, not the layering thrifty fashionistas do when they pair dresses tops and cadris, but the one that will keep you from freezing, is to have a lot of them - the layers- keeping tight but not being stuffed or unable to move. That will make you colder actually. You might want to add another pair of socks or leg warmers, and perhaps a long sleeved blouse under that cardi too, depends. (Oh damn it takes so long to get dressed in the morning!)
Fig.2But we're quite not done yet:
Fig.3They say the cold will last for two months still. If that's the case this is what I'll look like everyday for two months then. Versatility, yey!
...Unless I get myself a new winter jacket... (hehe).
56 comments:
- B-b-b-etty said...
jag är nog lite underlig när jag aldrig riktigt brytt mig om hur jag ser ut, att vara varm har alltid varit nummer ett för mig. jag kör med täckbyxor nu, och en lång jacka från monki och ett par clarks-skor som man bara drar på sig. inget vintage alls, eller min basker bara. inte så tjusigt men åh så varmt!
- 18 December 2009 at 00:49
- Natalia L. said...
This is so awesome!!
I love the cold, though I never experienced the "Minus a lot" cold.. xDD
I always tell my husband I'd love to live up there!!
And about the look, as I said, is awesome! It's like I like to call it "the onion look" - 18 December 2009 at 01:35
- Dave Feucht said...
The worst parts about this whole thing are two scenarios -
1.) it's -15 C outside and you just walked for 30 minutes in all these layers, then you arrive to your friends flat, which is 25 C inside, and you suddenly feel like you walked into an oven.
2.) You've just been out for the afternoon and you're coming home with all these layers on, and you have to pee so badly you're biting your lip. You arrive at your flat, throw the door open, run inside, and commence the 10 minute process of taking enough clothes off that you can use the toilet, hoping you won't be too late :)
I have to say, I really miss winters like that. Here it's rarely cold enough to wear more than a thin sweater, medium coat, and scarf (riding my bike everywhere I dress a little more warmly than I would walking, but still).
I find it kind of exciting to get all bundled up and walk out into the cold, only to have your eyebrows freeze and your ears start stinging immediately, rush to where you're going as fast as possible, and then throw all the layers off and have a warm cup of coffee or tea. Somehow it's kind of a cozy, comforting routine. Maybe I'm just strange :) - 18 December 2009 at 01:41
- Bucca said...
lol fantastic I will send this to my sister she is travelling Europe at the moment and is in Romania where it is very very cold!
- 18 December 2009 at 01:41
- Malayka said...
Wow I can't even imagine it being so cold although on day I really would like to experience a real winter. Aside from the fact that in New Zealand we are just coming into Island don't get much below about 7degree's. Instead it just rains non stop and is depressing as hell. The biggest difference is probably that we have no in door heating so I sped most of winter wearing my jacket both in and out of the house!
- 18 December 2009 at 01:50
- Diva said...
The pictures are great !!! And I totally agree since thats how we dress in Sweden too. Layer upon layer. Still I´m off for Africa so all my luggage is basically ... t-shirts and blouses - Horray ! ;)
- 18 December 2009 at 02:05
- Rosie Unknown said...
THANK YOU! Canadian winter seems to have set in, and you'd think after living my whole life in Canada/Sweden, I would be used to the cold, but it still takes me by surprise every year.
- 18 December 2009 at 02:53
- Rosie Unknown said...
I know I already commented on this post, but I wanted to let you know that I linked to it in a post. (http://rosieunknown.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-i-wore-layers-layers-and-more.html) I hope you don't mind.
Rosie - 18 December 2009 at 04:04
- Q's Daydream said...
oh, this is fabulous! super great! :o)
- 18 December 2009 at 04:34
- Cristina said...
In this moment I love Spain. Your draws are amazing.
- 18 December 2009 at 04:43
- Emm said...
Oh your drawings are wonderful! Great work!
- 18 December 2009 at 06:27
- Angel said...
Woah... I don't know if I could live in a very very cold country.
It's only just turned to "winter" here and even then it's not that cold! - 18 December 2009 at 07:22
- Eveliina said...
Make sure your red lipstick doesn't make your lips chap. Thank you, you just saved my day!
- 18 December 2009 at 07:36
- The Freelancer's FashionBlog said...
Betty Lou : jo, varmt är nog absolut min första prioritet också! Jag har ett par täckbyxor också som jag är helt beredd att använda. De råkar vara vintage, min mammas gamla :)
Sistinas : I think you have to visit first before you decide to move :)
Melancholic Optimist : So true! Not to forget scenario no3, as you go Christmas gift hunting among hundreds of other and its +25 in the store too where vendors run around in sleeveless tops and you start sweating like hell carrying half of your layers in your lap while trying to get some shopping done.
But yes, I know what you mean about the excitement, and most of all the relief afterwards when you've made it inside again and enjoy your cup of something hot.
Bucca : yup it can get real cold over there too
Ruby Roulette : That's the good thing over here, triple windows and severe heating.
Diva : Ooooh, how nice :)
Rosie Unknown : I know, the first days hits me as hard every year! As does the darkness.
Q, art-isima, Emm : thanks!
Angel : sometimes it's with the cold since everything sort of get more silent and clear... but I would prefer to spend winter in warmer regions though :)
Prefecta : True! I use great one by the way, it's real creamy and wont chap. By Gosh. But I do recommend using some heavy stuff underneath too, like bepanthen from the pharmacy or so. - 18 December 2009 at 08:32
- Tifa said...
Åh så snyggt och smart! :D
- 18 December 2009 at 09:21
- Frollein von Sofa said...
This is unbelievable !! Last week I thought about your blog and I remembered that - at the beginning -you posted quite a lot of your wonderful illustrations, and I was going to ask you to do that again from time to time, because I missed them !! And what do I see now ?? This post is so clever and fun and the illustrations are just fabulous !
Thanks a lot and stay warm and cozy !!! - 18 December 2009 at 09:58
It's always a pleasure finding a new post in your blog :-)
Wish you could write few times a day :-)
It's cold in Croatia too, but mustn't complain because still don't know how minus a lot feels like :-)) - 18 December 2009 at 10:11
- GinCherry said...
Scenario 3 is the worst :D I "tried" it on myself :D Here also is minus a lot, about -15 and more, but I hope it doesn't last for a long :) My clothing anatomy is the same except the long wrap cardi cause I have warm coat and the second scarf :)
- 18 December 2009 at 10:51
- ina said...
As I am right now suffering incredibly hard from the darkness the best thing that could happen was the snow and the cold, when it's dark, muddy and wet the weather is just too raw, now it feels fresh and new. Minus 15'C is OK, the almost minus 20'C this morning even felt ok. But in the long run I'd prefer minus 5'C :)
And I'm happy to wear my new vintage fur-hat from Ofelia (fur is the warmest, but I find it ethically hard to use unless it's vintage, fortunately I love vintage).. - 18 December 2009 at 11:09
You are just fabulous! :))
- 18 December 2009 at 11:20
- Simone said...
- 18 December 2009 at 12:22
I salute your layering advice - nothing keeps the cold away better! But I have to add that the material of your layers matters a lot. Thin layers of wool and silk, and not even the deadliest Siberian winter can hold you back! And as a skirt/dress person, my best friend are the woollen "bikershorts" (no idea what mameluck/villahousut is in English) that warm my legs and dear rear under the hem. If you don't have a pair yourself, your grandmother, that wise woman, will happily lend you some!
- 18 December 2009 at 14:03
Fina tips. Tänkte bara nämna det här med material val ;silke/ull i underklännigen eller linnet är ett måste när det blir minusgrader. Underbara mot huden och dessutom tunna och sköna är de spetsprydda undertröjorna från Calida 70% silke resten ull, lite dyrt ca 500kr hos Twifit ,men SÅ värt det. Lindex har(haft) ull mamelucker för en billig peng.(och underställ för kliiga för mig)Sen så är det inte helt fel att lägga en fleece sula eller ylle sula i kängorna.
Tack för din fina blogg. Hoppas att jag snart kommer igång med ett eget/Kristina
PS, Det är ju inte den kompakta kylan som är värst utan om det blåser,burrr, nu är det härligt i Sthlm! - 18 December 2009 at 14:09
- Elina said...
Vilken tjusig serie! Jag brukar lyckas hålla mig varm och stilfull hela vägen ner till skorna. Där tar det stopp. Som jag har letat i flera år men det finns inte skor som är tillräckligt varma och bekväma för promenaden till och från jobbet och samtidigt snygga. Så jag gav upp på den fronten. Jag köpte varma men fula och sedan byter jag när jag kommer fram till jobbet :)
- 18 December 2009 at 14:21
- Unknown said...
Fab post! It never gets so bitterly cold here as that, though when it's 0 us wimpy soft British people do moan and shiver! I need some slips very badly as I do love to wear skirts and just can't cope with the cold, even with opaque tights!
- 18 December 2009 at 14:49
Love this layering illustration, I would have to add another set of think bootie socks though, as my feet are always icy cold! I am in southern U.S. missing the snow that I had growing up in northern U.S. Snow is the only thing that makes winter fun if you ask me. Great blog!
Julie - 18 December 2009 at 15:29
- padam padam said...
Great illustration! To warm your hands a bit more one can always use a so called "muff" or handwarmer. They are warm and stylish too!
- 18 December 2009 at 16:03
- pumps & luiers said...
fantastic drwings, you're a real artist!
it's gotten cold here too, not so cold though: warm clothes and winterjacket are enough to keep me warm here ;) - 18 December 2009 at 16:27
How much do I love this? A WHOLE LOT.
- 18 December 2009 at 16:37
- MothMouth said...
I really love this post, you basically extracted the survival guide for finnish winter!
The illustrations are neat too, did you happen to use Adobe Illustrator? ;) - 18 December 2009 at 17:16
- Chantilliscious said...
amen to this conversation! Canada is so super cold and I recently did some articles on this, and I am happy to see that we have the exact same style and points when it comes to freezing cold fashion! lol
xox keep doing what you love! its fantastic! - 18 December 2009 at 19:44
- FairyFiligree said...
Is that your cartoon skill? Really like the cartoons. It never gets to be so cold where I come from, but I feel the cold anyway, and whilst I just hate winter clothes with a passion, I wouldn't mind wrapping up so much anyway!
- 18 December 2009 at 20:07
- www.janetteria.com said...
Great work, Ulrika!
X♥X♥ - 18 December 2009 at 21:18
- jewlover2 said...
This post is freaking brilliant!!! I am posting a link to it EVERYWHERE...and it doesnt even get that cold around here. LOL
- 18 December 2009 at 21:55
- Lady said...
the layering scenario in winter (or not) is so familiar to us, northen, eastern europeans. nowadays it's minus 15 C a day and in this kind of weather I'm reduced to wearing really ugly, but really warm coat. good tip about soles, will happily apply it.
and I love the scarf over everything idea. - 19 December 2009 at 00:36
I just looked at the weather forecast and it's actually colder here in Oslo than in Helsinki. But my layering is pretty much the same, only I don't have any slips and I wear at least two tights and don't have any wool skirts that I actually wear. I do however have the most fantastic winter boots with a rubber heel and laces ups without a zipper which are a bit more comfy than the one you just bought (I have them as well, they're actually called Iris, and they cost 200kr (nothing) so I had to have them). I tried to wear to scarves today, that worked wonders and I'll be doing it for the rest of this awful winter.
Iris - 19 December 2009 at 21:19
- WendyB said...
I can't just wish the cold away? Because I've been trying.
- 20 December 2009 at 05:07
- The Freelancer's FashionBlog said...
Thank you all for the comments :)
Frollein von Sofa : yes, I'd like to draw more but I just don't have the time to...
Moth Mouth : Yes, CS3
Wendy B : No, we can't. We just have to take it and suffer. - 20 December 2009 at 09:29
- www.janetteria.com said...
Hi Ulrika,
How are U?
Please don't forget to enter the brooches giveaways!
X♥X♥ - 20 December 2009 at 19:43
- Vanessa said...
I love the way you illustrated this! I'll definitely be taking some of this advice (I should really get some nice, long socks to put over my tights). Keep warm!
- 21 December 2009 at 02:31
- stina said...
Oh! I love this. Just what I needed. During cold winter I usually just go round looking like I'm on permanent ski-trip. But I'm definitly getting myself a woolskirt now, so I can look good and be warm.
- 21 December 2009 at 03:00
You are one talented lady-beautiful drawings-you dress like me! Go glamour even in the snow and cold!!! Look forward to reading more of your delicious blogs!
- 21 December 2009 at 18:13
- Cheryl Lynn Pastor said...
This is such a great post. It's nice to know that I am not alone in the how to dress stylishly warm in winter. I don't have a car, so I have to catch the bus to work, many times in sub-zero weather. I too laugh sadistically at those crazies who wear short jackets, no hat, no gloves, nothing covering their backsides in below EVERYTHING temperatures.
Your layered look idea is beautiful, fashion savvy, and warm all at once. Advice to most definitely be taken.
Good for you! - 22 December 2009 at 05:34
- Ilona said...
I just love your drawings!
Merry Christmas ms Freelancer, hopefully this beautiful white lanscape stays for all the x-mas days :) - 22 December 2009 at 14:35
- All Women Stalker said...
I like the idea of wearing red lipstick to match with any bulky and unsexy-like winter clothes :)
- 22 December 2009 at 18:28
- Miss Cherry said...
Haha! Underbara illustrationer!!!
Jag har tur jag, jag kan variera mig med flera olika ärvda pälskappor och jackor (egentligen blä, stackars djur som fått lida, tur att den nyaste jag har är från tidigt 70tal...)
Jag hatar verkligen det här med att behöva klä sig så jäkla mycket, jag hinner svimma i mitt eget svett innan jag har hunnit klä på min lilla son innan vi går ut och lika dant när vi kommer in! Jobbiga dagar försvinner stilen och skooteroverallen åker fram :D (Vad tror du om det med läppstift?) - 22 December 2009 at 22:17
- Andrea Eames said...
Genius! I love this.
I just wanted to stop by and say merry Christmas - I hope you have a wonderful day! (And stay warm).
A xx - 22 December 2009 at 22:48
- handwarmer coffee mugs said...
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handwarmer coffee mugs - 6 January 2010 at 04:57
- photos onto canvas prints said...
I'm so glad it's warming up now. Good by cold days got know
- 19 January 2010 at 01:03
- Alexa Rae said...
I love the post, but love the drawings even more. Kudos to the drawer, artist, whatever's correct in the sense.
- 19 January 2010 at 20:14
I'm a bit late but I wanted to say thankyou for these great tips! I live in Sydney, Australia, so our Winters are much much warmer than yours, but I have very bad circulation so I still get really cold, and it's hard to buy proper warm clothes here - the Winter fashion in magazines can often include strappy shoes, cotton skirts, sleeveless dresses and little lightweight cardigans, and I have no idea how anybody goes out like that and lives to tell the tale.
It may seem crazy to someone who is used to below-zero temperatures, but honestly the whole situation makes me really miserable sometimes. I came to this blog hoping to find some ideas on how to actually remain warm this Winter while still looking OK, and this article is just perfect, I'll definitely be using these ideas. Thankyou so much for making it possible for me to be warm AND stylish for the first time ever! - 25 May 2010 at 19:29
- The Freelancer's FashionBlog said...
Sarah : you're welcome :)
- 25 May 2010 at 20:31
- Nolita said...
It is minus 25 here in Estonia, so I have managed to wears skirts with the same tricks! Lots of cardigans, extra stockings etc.
FB: Nolita Vintage Shop & Blog
----www.nolitavintage.com--- - 17 February 2011 at 12:37
Hi, i'm with Sarah, Fashion in Australia, is about being cool. Its Gets cold, but there is now way to get my head around that cold. i panic and rush around getting cardies at 25c. Winter here is maybe 6c on a cold nite.
Us brisbane girls just add layers to summer dresses. I read alot and just love your ww11 fashion discription, its lovely.
Thank you for sharing with me, i like your sister hood.
Kind regards Jacky Matthews - 12 November 2011 at 11:58
- Anonymous said...
great ideas!
- 27 September 2016 at 18:56
- Marlin said...
lovely blog post, beautiful photos and great tips!
- 26 July 2018 at 10:08


text:
You have three minutes.
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4. What does our Prime Minister mean when he says: ''I'm going to Maui, where are you going?''
5. You are a political party. You organise protests the length and breadth of the country deploring the electoral finance bill as a threat to democracy. You win the election and then proceed to hand control of Auckland city to a collection of unelected and unaccountable bodies. You follow that with a law that strikes down proposed legislation that fails to satisfy "the principles of good law making". Is there anyone with whom you can share a drink and piss yourself laughing, without those lefty tools at Radio NZ getting wind of it?

subset: commoncrawl


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text:
After I saw the Quilts of Gees Bend, I fell in love with that improvisational spirit, but there was no "how to" in any of their books. When Denyse Schmidt's first book arrived I thought, she is going to share the process and I was crestfallen to find a book of patterns and no insight into her process. I've since learned that sharing, documenting and talking about the improvisational process is more complicated and involved than I had imagined.
I remember the day I first thought about what it might take to improvise in quilting. I didn't know a thing, but I was willing to try and I set out on my own to experiment and figure it out on my own. That led to the now famous (or so I'm told) wonky log cabin tutorial on this blog. I wanted to continue to learn and support others who wanted to learn too, and that was the impetus for creating Project Improv in January of 2009. It was a simple concept with a framework to help us succeed. We would improvise, but within the structure of the log cabin block. I've learned over time that many quilters have trouble letting loose and improvising; they need support and a structure or framework in which to work and as they build confidence and skill. Over time, they become freer and more improvisational. Project Improv provided many quilters the opportunity to begin an exploration of improvisation.
A few months ago a friend sent me a link to Sherri Lynn Wood's blog. Sherri did a series of posts on her perspective on 'what is improvisational quilting' in 2011. Her posts are insightful and recommended reading. She has added to the conversation and put words to many of the ideas, concepts and actions that have been in my head for years. I'm looking forward to meeting her and learning from her at QuiltCon in February.
In 2011 Sherri said,
The purpose of 'project improv', to support each other in our goal to quilt improvisationally, to quilt outside the lines and to find our own voice as quilters.
And, so there isn't a post without a picture....here's a couple pics of the Scandia Crush quilt finished. I quilted it with variegated aurifil thread in all tints and shades of pink...such a pretty touch. Another class sample into the finished stack.


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text:
"And we never had a whole Mars bar until 1993"!!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR FRIENDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1930's, 40's, 50's, and 60's.
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank Sherry while they carried us and lived in houses made of asbestos…
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese, bread and dripping, raw egg products, loads of bacon and processed meat, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes or cervical cancer.
Then after that trauma, our baby cots were covered with bright coloured lead-based paints.
We had no childhood lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets or shoes, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
Take away food was limited to fish and chips, no pizza shops, McDonalds , KFC, Subway or Nandos.
Even though all the shops closed at 6.00pm and didn't open on a Sunday, somehow we didn't starve to death!
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We could collect old drink bottles and cash them in at the corner store and buy Toffees, Gobstoppers and Bubble Gum.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter,milk from the cow,and drank soft drinks with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because…..
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O..K..
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of old prams and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. We built tree houses and dens and played in river beds with matchbox cars.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo Wii , X-boxes, no video games at all, no 999 channels on SKY ,
no video/dvd films, or colour TV
no mobile phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms……….
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no
Lawsuits from these accidents.
Only girls had pierced ears!
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
You could only buy Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns at Easter time…
We were given air guns and catapults for our 10th birthdays,
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them!
Mum didn't have to go to work to help dad make ends meet because we didn't need to keep up with the Jones's!
Not everyone made the rugby/football/cricket/netball team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!! Getting into the team was based on
Our teachers used to hit us with canes and gym shoes and throw the blackboard rubber at us if they thought we weren't concentrating .
We can string sentences together and spell and have proper conversations because of a good, solid three R's education.
Our parents would tell us to ask a stranger to help us cross the road.
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of.
They actually sided with the law!
Our parents didn't invent stupid names for their kids like 'Kiora' and 'Blade' and 'Ridge' and 'Vanilla'
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.
And while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.


text:
In the debate about rapes by Muslims in Norway, you will often find a quote by a "Norwegian professor" who said that "Norwegian women should adapt". I myself have referenced this attitude in past articles.
The professor in question is Unni Wikan, and her words appear all over the net. For example, this one:
Oslo Professor of Anthropology, Unni Wikan, said Norwegian women must take responsibility for the fact that Muslim men find their manner of dress provocative. And since these men believe women are responsible for rape, she stated, the women must adapt to the multicultural society around them. (FrontPageMagazine.com)
Who is Professor Unni Wikan? Is she 'just' another leftist-socialist-Muslim-lover-multiculturalist? I found it hard to understand. Her book "Generous Betrayal: Politics of Culture in the New Europe" says that excessive respect for the immigrant's culture brought about lack of equality and freedom for the immigrants themselves. Her book was reviewed as follows:
Unsympathetic readers might reasonably accuse Wikan of engaging in a racist polemic, of being an apologist for anti-immigrant or anti-Muslim politics. Overall, the book tends to portray immigrants as lazy, criminally inclined, mostly illiterate men who steal welfare benefits and violently repress their daughters' and sisters' life chances. (American Ethnologist)
Is she an apologist for anti-Muslim politics or for pro-Muslim politics?
I contacted Professor Wikan and got the following response:
Nobody has been able to come up with the source where I allegedly said the outrageous thing that has been attributed to me. My name is being misused, but not in Norway or Sweden or Denmark where my position on violence in the name of religion or culture is so well known that it would be absurd to attribute a defense of rape to me.
Did she say the things attributed to her?
Like most everything else, the answer is a bit complicated. After a bit of searching, I found the original article from which the quote comes from. Professor Wikan did not reply to my questions on that article.
I bring the full translation below. It is important to notice, when reading it, exactly what she is quoted as saying, and what the reporter added. It is also important to note her conclusion.
Yes, she says that Norwegian women should adapt themselves. But the most important issue - how they are supposed to do that - is usually not quoted. What does she suggest, after all? That Norwegian women be careful around Muslim men? That they should assume that Muslim men will be more likely to rape them? That they don't invite them home?
Taking her quote in context, I doubt there are many people who wouldn't agree with her.
Here's the original article, translated from Dagbladet, with my added emphasis and comments:
"Thinks Norwegian girls invite sex"
Professor Unni Wikan isn't surprised by numbers showing that 65% of rapists in Oslo last year are non-Western men. Now she's asking Norwegian women to dress themselves less boldly. [since this claim does not appear as a later quote, I am not sure whether it is a quote or the reporter's understanding or what Wikan said]
"It is sensational how blind and naive Norwegian can be towards non-Western men. Norwegian women must use common sense," says Wikan to Dagbladet. Shocking numbers were published yesterday which show that the total number of rapes in Oslo went up by 40% from 1999 to 2000. For the first time, police classified rapists by ethnic background. The statistics show that fully 65% of the rapists come from a non-Western country.
Wikan, who is a profession of social anthropology, thinks Norwegian women must take their share in the responsibility for having rapes occur. She explains the appalling number by among other things, the culture conflicts that often arise between Norwegian women and foreign men.
"The numbers don't surprise me at all. Many immigrants think Norwegian women send them signals that ask for sexual contact. And then it can quickly go wrong. Many Norwegian women have by far poor knowledge of non-Western men's attitude towards women," says Wikan.
"It is never acceptable with rape. But it is understandable that some men from non-Western countries think that they get sexual invitations from Norwegian women who on their side are just acting normal for a Norwegian woman. It is sensational how blind and naive Norwegian women can be towards non-Western men," says Wikan.
She knows that she will be criticized for these statements, but thinks the debate is important.
"I will not blame Norwegian women for the rapes. But Norwegian women must understand that we live in a multi-cultural society and adapt themselves to it."
Unless they have a desire for sex Wikan advises Norwegian women, as strongly as possible, not to invite home, for example, Muslim men with little knowledge of Norwegian culture.
She points out also that rapists in most Muslim countries are hardly punished.
"In most places people think that it is the woman who holds the blame for the rape. And it is reasonable that immigrants take with them such attitudes when they flee here to the country," says the professor, who herself has lived many years in Muslim lands.
Source: Dagbladet (Norwegian)
15 comments:
- Steen said...
Oh yes, she did say precisely that on the 6 th of september 2001. Its here in Norwegian together with the context:
- Jeg vil ikke legge skylden for voldtektene på de norske kvinnene. Men norske kvinner må innse at vi lever i et flerkulturelt samfunn, og innrette seg deretter.
your translation is correct
mvh from Denmark - April 25, 2007 2:56 AM
- Esther said...
Hi Steen,
I'm not saying she didn't say that. I'm saying that the context is important. She is not quoted as saying that women should dress less provocatively, and *that* is what's running round the net.
It's an interesting coincidence that the day I posted this, a Norwegian study was published saying that half of the Norwegians blame a woman for her rape.
Are those the same people who would be shocked to hear that a woman inviting a man into her house is "asking for it"? Or is it shocking only when she's not covering her hair? - April 25, 2007 10:58 PM
If these people hadn't been allowed into Europe then there wouldn't be a problem.
- May 08, 2007 5:13 AM
Westerners need to stop making excusing for the misogynistic attitudes of some Muslims. Would we let people torture animals to death in our countries (this is a custom in some parts of Asia)? I doubt it. When in Rome, do as the Romans do! If I went to a conservative Muslim country (which I never would), I'd dress and act appropriately relative to their culture. They owe us the same. If you even visit a country, you should be familar with its laws and customs and respect them (this is ten times more true if you migrate to said country). Us American women would NEVER put up with changing for the ragheads (most of our men wouldn't either). The ragheads would end up getting themselves lynched if they started raping American women for the way we dress (if our brothers and husbands didn't do it for us, we'd do it ourselves - lots of the women here are cops, have military training, guns, etc. You Europeans need to get some guts and do the same (or at least punish and then deport the misogynsts).
- May 23, 2007 4:47 AM
- RandallJones said...
You say that 65% perecent of rapes are from non-Westen countries. But you need to break down the statistics to say from what countries they come from because there are immigrants in Europe that come from non-Muslim countries.
Also in all countries there are rapes that go unreported, so there needs to be a study on whether a female is more likely to report a rape done by someone that looks like her or someone that is of a different ethnicity. - May 23, 2007 7:55 PM
- Esther said...
Most rapists were from Iraq and Somalia. But your question brings up the problematics of this issue and statistics in general. I hope to finish my study of this subject in the near future and I will publish it then. - May 23, 2007 11:59 PM
what is not being done, is educating immigrants into the European culture.
It is not enought that Norwegian women learn about non Western cultures and men,
we do NOT have to learn about people coming to our society, as much as THEY should lean about the cultural norms they are entering - July 26, 2007 8:54 PM
- RandallJones said...
To continue from my previous comment, there needs to be information on the race/religion of the victims. ALso a study needs to be made to find out if the religion/race of a victim affects the willingness to report a rape.
You wrote, "Most rapists were from Iraq and Somalia." That doesn't necessaily mean that they are all Muslim. Here in the United States most Arabs are Christian. - August 24, 2007 1:36 PM
Context is important. Lets take the context of taking these creatures form their barbaric and backward culture that treats women as objects at best. Then consider what it would be like putting these creatures in a civilised society that engages in democracy, decency, civility, equality...things generally unheard of where they came from.
Lets take into account the fact that, according to them,their profit {deliberate speeling mistake}, was the worlds only perfect man. Also take into account that he should be emulated.
Now put that into the context of mohamad being a mass murdering serial rapist.
That's the context we need to look at these creatures in. - September 25, 2007 5:37 AM
- Ernesto said...
Ppl who are in Norway MUST learn about their culture and customs. Don't come saying that, for example, if I go to Japan (I'm from Peru), my japanese friends need to get used to my customs. That teacher must be joking. I disagree with much of what she says. However, I agree that everybody have to learn the customs of foreign ppl. But when you go to a foreign country, u're more required to learn its culture than they to learn yours
- December 28, 2008 2:19 PM
- Esther said...
I think that you could tell people in Japan that if they invite non-Japanese to their homes, they should be aware that they're not Japanese. - December 29, 2008 3:06 AM
I think people are so afraid to be labeled politically incorrect. Did you know that tax crimes in Norway are given a greater sentence than rape! What about the victims of these crimes? I'll tell you what I live in Norway, and I will kill any SOB that hurts my child. There is no way that 2-3 year sentences will suffice. I think there is no cultural group which would endorse rape; however, in my experience in viewing Norwegian men I have seen two different personalities, the sober, and the intoxicated, and in general the younger generations have demostrated to have no respect for women. The spanking on the ass, the dry humping, and all the other disgraceful behavior I have been witness to while living in this country. Im sure the fundamental values across the board are in a state of degradation. Very Sad! I think we should question a society which has written laws giving greater importance to the defrauding of taxes than that of rape! Laws are written as a reflection of the moral turpitude of the society to which it applies! what does that say of these Scandinavian moral tone. Unfortunately People here do not have the salt, or teeth to voice their opinions with the crap excuse of being labeled as PI, or racist.BS! There are victims to these crimes, and therefore they require a singular perspective to the rise of this type of sexual misconduct. We the people who co-exsist in this society need to stress the importance of the issues. Remember it could be your daughter, wife, sister, mother, and son who could be the next victim. Should something happen to them before you find your voice? With the current penal system will justice be served should this happen to any of your loved ones? I doubt it! People coming to Norway should not bring thier cultural BS with them. And the Scandinavian governments need to enforce extremely harsh punishments across the board. Forget the political undertones and protect you inhabitants! Unni Wikan is and Idiot! This is a Norwegian nation, not a Muslim nation; therfore, to suggest that Norwegians have to adjust to any other cultural group is incredible stupid! This is thier country! Everyone else should adapt to thier culture standards. Norwegian should take a good hard look however at thier penal system, and elected officials who pussy foot arounf the issues
- March 28, 2009 5:31 AM
- Unknown said...
it would apear to mr its the muslim men wgo need to adapt to the west if they are going to live here as all imagants have gad to do
- July 16, 2009 1:44 AM
- Esther said...
The issue here is not who needs to adapt to whom. Wikan was warning Norwegian girls that they need to be careful when associating with Muslim men, since these men have a different mentality. As she says: Norwegian girls are blind and naive when dealing with non-Western men.
- July 16, 2009 11:51 PM
- Unknown said...
Arabic Mens Clothing Arabian Clothes Online High Quality, Stylish Muslim and Islamic Clothing for Women, Men and Kids a really good place to see all the different variations and interpretations of Islamic attire, Muslim fashion. YathribStore.com aims to bring Arabia closer to all around the world by providing affordable Islamic clothing and other Arabian through a user-friendly website implementing safe shopping measures and comes with customer support for an enjoyable shopping experience.
- August 20, 2015 9:44 PM


text:
GSI operates one of the most powerful accelerators facilities of the world. It is the only facility that allows the acceleration of ions – ions are charged atoms – of all chemical elements occurring on Earth.
One facility, thousand possibilities
Electrical fields are used to accelerate the ions. Magnets direct and focus them. The ions can be accelareted up to about 90% of the speed of light, i.e. 270,000 km/s.
Scientists from all over the world use the accelerated ions for experiments in various fields of research ranging from particle, nuclear and atomic physics via plasma physics and materials research up to biophysics and tumor therapy.
Six main devices are indispensable to provide the experiments at GSI with heavy ions:
- the ion sources
- the linear accelerator UNILAC
- the ring accelerator SIS18
- the storage ring ESR
- the fragment separator FRS
- the main control room
The international accelerator facility FAIR is currently under construction and will be connected to the existing GSI accelerators. They will serve as injectors for FAIR.


text:
Back to Barracuda Cloud Security Guardian
- data center
A facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems.
- data truncation
Occurs when data or a data stream is stored in a location too short to hold its entire length. May occur automatically, such as when a long string is written to a smaller buffer, or deliberately, when only a portion of the data is wanted.
- datasheet
Document that summarizes the performance and other technical characteristics of a product, machine, component (e.g., an electronic component), material, a subsystem (e.g., a power supply) or software in sufficient detail to be used by a design engineer to integrate the component into a system.
Remote procedure call system that allows programmers to write distributed software without having to worry about the underlying network code.
- dedicated host
An Internet hosting option where an organization leases an entire server, fully dedicated to their use. This is also an option in the public cloud. The price for a Dedicated Host varies by instance family, region, and payment option.
- dedicated instance
Amazon EC2 instance that runs on single-tenant hardware dedicated to a single customer.
- dedicated reserved instance
An option you can purchase from a cloud vendor to guarantee that sufficient capacity will be available to launch Dedicated Instances into a virtual private cloud (VPC).
- DNS Cache
A temporary database, maintained by a computer's operating system, that contains records of all recent visits and attempted visits to websites and other Internet domains.
- DNS record
Database record used to map a URL to an IP address.
- Docker
Open-source software that automates the deployment of applications inside virtualized software containers.
- Docker image
A layered file system template that is the basis of a Docker container. Docker images can comprise specific operating systems or applications.
- dynamic path selection
Term used in context with Traffic Intelligence (TI). Using dynamic path selection, the session is balanced depending on the amount of traffic.
- dynamic routing
Routing that adjusts automatically to network topology or traffic changes. Also called adaptive routing.
- DynamoDB
A fully managed Amazon NoSQL database service that provides fast and predictable performance with seamless scalability.
- edge location
Used by the AWS service CloudFront. Feature that offers content to end users via geographically closer locations to improve their experience.
Internet protocol for exchanging routing information between autonomous systems.
- Elastic Beanstalk
A web service for deploying and managing applications in the AWS cloud without worrying about the infrastructure that runs those applications.
- Energize Updates
Provides Barracuda Networks products with protection from the latest Internet threats. These updates are sent out hourly, or more frequently if needed, to ensure that appliances always have the latest and most comprehensive protection. Barracuda Energize Updates subscriptions must be purchased with any Barracuda Networks appliance. Includes basic support, firmware maintenance, security updates, and early release firmware.
- envelope encryption
The use of a master key and a data key to algorithmically protect data. The master key is used to encrypt and decrypt the data key and the data key is used to encrypt and decrypt the data itself.
- Ethernet
Local area network technology that uses special twisted pair or fiber optical cables. As per the OSI model, Ethernet provides services up to and including the data link layer.
Contract between the Barracuda and the purchaser, establishing the purchaser's right to use Barracuda software.
- evasion
Bypassing an information security device in order to deliver an exploit, attack, or other form of malware to a target network or system, without detection.
- exploit
The use of software, data, or commands to 'exploit' a weakness in a computer system or program to carry out some form of malicious intent, such as a denial-of-service attack, Trojan horses, worms, or viruses.
- flooding
A Denial of Service (DoS) attack that is designed to bring a network or service down by flooding it with large amounts of traffic.
- Flow Logs
AWS service that enables you to capture information about the IP traffic going to and from network interfaces in a VPC.
- forensics
Techniques of examining digital media with the aim of identifying, preserving, recovering, analyzing, and presenting facts and opinions about the digital information.
- FTP proxy
Allows the proxy to control FTP traffic. When a client uploads or downloads files, the proxy identifies the traffic as FTP, allowing the appliance to control file transfers using TCP optimization and caching.


text:
G-SHOCK, the watch whose popularity spans various interests and cultures, is proud to announce a collection of new music-themed G'MIX watches.
Each of these watches is Bluetooth® SMART, which makes it possible to establish a connection with a smartphone to control various phone features from your watch.The big rotary switch at 3 o'clock can be used to jump between songs, control the music volume, or adjust sound attributes with an equalizer function. With the song title search function, the touch of a button lets you look up the title of a song playing in your location and display it on the watch. You can even use the watch to produce a variety of different sound effects on your phone.
The dial at 9 o'clock, which indicates the current connection status between the watch and phone, is designed to resemble a turntable, adding to the musical motif of these models.
In terms of features, functions, and design, everything about these new G'MIX models is geared towards music and its enjoyment by you.
Mobile Link (Function linking with a Bluetooth® SMART device using wireless communication)
Use of Mobile Link requires downloading of the "G-SHOCK+" and "G'MIX App" apps to the phone.
- A special player with an equalizer and sound field setting that reproduces the ambiance of various different live venues,can be controlled from the watch.
- A rotary switch operation lets you search for the title of a song playing nearby.
- Performing a button operation on the watch causes the phone to sound a tone, helping to make it easy to find.
- Automatic Home Time and World Time setting adjustment at a preset time each day.
- Configure World Time (approximately 300 cities), alarms, timer, and other watch functions from the phone.
- ∗Bluetooth is a registered trademark or trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
∗Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.For the information about supported phone models and other latest news, visit
- Mineral Glass
- Shock Resistant
- 200-meter water resistance
- Case / bezel material: Resin
- Resin Band
- LED light (Super Illuminator)
Selectable illumination duration (1.5 seconds or 3 seconds), afterglow - Flash alert
Flashes with buzzer that sounds for alarms, hourly time signal - Hand shift feature (Hands move out of the way to provide an unobstructed view of digital display contents
- Mobile link (Linking with a Bluetooth® SMART device over a wireless connection)
- Airplane mode
- World time
35 time zones (100 cities + coordinated universal time), daylight saving on/off - 1/100-second stopwatch
Measuring capacity: 999:59'59.99''
Measuring modes: Elapsed time, split time, 1st-2nd place times - Countdown timer
Measuring unit: 1/10 second
Input range: 1 seconds to 100 hours (1-second increments, 1-minute increments and 1-hour increments) - 5 daily alarms or one-time alarms (with 1 snooze alarm)
- Hourly time signal
- Low battery warning (A warning appears on the display whenever battery power drops below a certain level.)
- Full auto-calendar (to year 2099)
- 12/24-hour format
- Button operation tone on/off
- Regular timekeeping
Analog: 2 hands (hour, minute (hand moves every 20 seconds))
Digital: Hour, minute, second, pm, month, date, day - Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month
- Approx. battery operating time:
2 years on SR927W × 2 (Mobile Link used 2 hours a day.)
*Light: 1 time (1.5 seconds)/day
*Alarm: 10 seconds/day - Size of case: 55 × 51.9 × 18.3 mm
- Total weight: 66 g
- LED:White


text:
I have become a blogging partner on Unlock the Past Cruises new website, http://www.unlockthepastcruises.com/, because it allows me to combine those three interests. Most importantly the modest Alan Phillips, the man behind Unlock the Past, is an ethical operator with a genuine passion for history and genealogy. I am honoured that Alan has added me to his list of blogging partners that includes foremost bloggers, researchers and writers from Australia and overseas.
Unlock the Past Cruises Website
Alan has organised four successful cruises in the Australian region so he is perfecting the recipe for a perfect cruise. He is now dipping his toes into foreign waters by including cruises around Britain and Europe.
As a veteran of just one Unlock the Past Genealogy Cruise I am hooked; I have already booked and will be presenting on the next cruise in February. I hope that I can join Alan's Unlock the Past team in some of the cruises in more distant locations.


text:
When was the last time you not only stopped and smelled the roses, but pruned them too? When did you last host a dinner party for friends you might eagerly text or follow on FaceBook but haven't seen for months or years? When did you last listen to a vinyl record with all its scritches, scratches and layers of sound? When did you last bake a cake, bread or dog treats? Play a board game with your kids, partner or friends? Hand write a letter or card instead of tying it or emailing?
If you answered, "I don't remember" or "never" to any of these questions, then do yourself a favour and read this marvellous, gem of a book with a gorgeous cover. Written by well-known writer, Sally Wise, and award-winning, international playwright, ABC radio senior producer, and first time author (and a friend of mine – I declare it now), Paul McIntyre, The Little Book of Slow is packed full of not only ideas about favourite past-times, but also how to pass the time in meaningful, mindful and often relaxing ways, and really appreciate this in a world where we so often cry we're time-poor.
Whether it's op-shopping, keeping a dream diary, or cultivating good manners and being civil or making your own curry pastes and powders, pickling veges and planning a picnic, this "little" book is big on caring about ourselves, the planet and each other. Reminding us to live mindfully and meaningfully, the prose is sweet and gentle but the messages are so important, especially in a world of cyber and other distractions that mean we too often disconnect – not only from others, but from ourselves.
As I read this book (and I did cover to cover, though it's designed to dip in and out of with ease) I found myself reflecting on how and why I have forgotten or not allowed myself the time to enjoy the simple things, and put the stresses of a beeping, whirring phone, blaring TV or computer aside for a few hours if not days.
Great as a gift, or to lose yourself in while luxuriating in a hot bath, trying out one of the many delicious recipes, or curled up in armchair under a lamp with the TV off and the music on, this book is timely and simply lovely. Furthermore, both Sally and Paul practice what they don't preach – they live life in the slow and rewarding lane, reminding us we can too and be all the richer for it.


text:
From the highly successful R-rated film "John Wick," Keanu Reeves steps out of retirement from the underworld once again in "John Wick: Chapter 2" where he reprises his role as the legendary hitman in the shadowy world of assassins.
Directed by Chad Stahelski, "John Wick: Chapter 2" heads to Rome where the world's deadliest assassins set their killer contracts. Bound by a blood oath to help him, John travels to Rome where he squares off against some of the world's deadliest killers. Reeves, in recent interviews revealed that that the film would deal with the duality of Wick where something from his past will come back to haunt him. "There's John, the docile man who spent five years married to the love of his life. Then there's John Wick, the deadly assassin feared by the entire criminal underworld."
A buffet of bullets and unprecedented action on screen when "John Wick: Chapter 2" opens in cinemas on February 8 from Pioneer Films. Watch the trailer now:


text:
Please note that the recommended version of Scilab is 2024.1.0. This page might be outdated.
See the recommended documentation of this function
Graphical tool for solving linear matrix inequations.
Calling Sequence
lmitool() lmitool(filename) txt=lmitool(probname,varlist,datalist)
- filename
a string referring to a
function- probname
a string containing the name of the problem
- varlist
a string containing the names of the unknown matrices (separated by commas if there are more than one)
- datalist
a string containing the names of data matrices (separated by commas if there are more than one)
- txt
a string providing information on what the user should do next
or lmitool(filename)
is used to define
interactively a LMI problem.
In the non interactive mode,
generates a file in the current directory. The name of this file
is obtained by adding .sci
to the end of probname
This file is the skeleton of a solver function and the corresponding
evaluation function needed by lmisolver
See Also
- lmisolver — Solve linear matrix inequations.
Report an issue | ||
<< lmisolver | Semidefinite Programming | pack >> |


text:
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While we make every effort to ensure orders are delivered by the date required, we cannot guarantee availability from the manufacturer or the manufacturer's delivery schedules.
Any variation to web delivery date given will be advised to you by email or telephone. If we are unable to make a delivery because access is not possible, we reserve the right to make a failed delivery charge.
All of our delivery charges are based on the customer being available to accept the goods. This includes, on heavier items, the ability or willingness to manually offload the goods, or having mechanical offloading facilities available (such as a forklift truck). Crane-off or tail-lift facilities may be available on certain orders at an additional cost.
Please note that any order received after midday on a Friday (along with any order received over a weekend) will be processed on a Monday. All of our estimated delivery times are therefore based on a 5-day working week so please bear this in mind when ordering.
Tilesuperstore.co.uk utilises national carriers and national pallet distribution networks as well as the manufacturer's own transport.
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In an ongoing effort to reduce our carbon footprint, we constantly review our transport arrangements to see that they optimise the delivery process, by ensuring that your goods reach you having done the least possible road miles.


text:
Friday, March 01, 2013
Just For Fun
While doing the laundry I started thinking about detergents and then naturally about anti-depressants (like a brighter, cleaner mind) and then, equally naturally, about the lack of the sort of medications (better living through chemistry!) that we really need.
Imagine if we could give Rush Limbaugh an empathy pill, for instance. Well, don't imagine if you don't care to, but I did. And then obviously wondered what would happen if it was on overdose. Would he sob and sob and sob and apologize and bawl?
What if there were guilt pills and anti-guilt pills? So that the people who have something to actually feel guilty about could be made to experience that wonderful cloggy-anger-angst-shame feeling just once? And anti-guilt pills, those I'd consume by the handful. I once felt guilt about having forgotten to turn the stars off.
All that is rather silly. But so much of the emotional and mental health knowledge we have isn't that much better. One day, I hope, this era will be regarded as the dark ages of mental and emotional medicine.
Friday Reading
Or things I might have written about had I more energy and time:
First, heartening news from Saudi Arabia:
An influential Saudi cleric has issued a religious edict, commonly known as Fatwa, allowing women to travel without a male guardian, uncover their faces and eat alongside men. In statements posted on Twitter, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Qassim al-Ghamdi, the former head of Mecca's Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice committee, said: "It is permissible for people to look at what is not forbidden in women like their faces and their arms."Of course the article later calls him a liberal cleric. But baby steps.
Second, this survey sounds interesting, though I haven't looked at it for the signs of any possible bias:
When the Business Insider polled registered voters and asked for their preferences among three Congressional plans floated to avoid the looming "sequestration" cuts in Washington, they found that when stripped of their partisan labels, the policies most favorable to the majority were those offered by the progressive wing of the Democratic caucus.
Strikingly, the plan offered by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called The Balancing Act and introduced in early February, is the plan that has received the least attention in the corporate media's coverage of the ongoing and latest "invented" Beltway crisis.
The poll found that in addition to beating the House Republican plan and the Senate Democrat's plan overall, "more than half of respondents supported [the Balancing Act] compared to sequestration and [only] a fifth of respondents were opposed."
Finally, this article possibly about the weak form of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is interesting. In particular:
4. Gender in Finnish and Hebrew
In Hebrew, gender markers are all over the place, whereas Finnish doesn't mark gender at all, Boroditsky writes in Scientific American (PDF). A study done in the 1980s found that, yup, thought follows suit: kids who spoke Hebrew knew their own genders a year earlier than those who grew up speaking Finnish. (Speakers of English, in which gender referents fall in the middle, were in between on that timeline, too.)One of the hardest things for me to learn about English were, a) articles (who needs them?) and b) the gendered nature of the third person singular.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
On the Skills Gap in the US Labor Markets
This interview (via Balloon Juice) gives quite a bit of food for thought about what might be happening in American labor markets. It steps past the usual assumptions of the god-from-the-machine economics where the markets are just assumed to be competitive and where all participants are assumed to have perfect information about everything.
But in reality someone hiring a worker has very little real knowledge about that worker's skills. There's always a risk in hiring someone, because that person might turn out not to be sufficiently skilled, whatever the original paperwork and interviews might suggest.
The interview (with Peter Cappelli) is about something slightly different, viz. the idea that firms no longer want to do much on-the-job-training. I'm not sure what the data shows about this, but Cappelli's basic ideas are intuitively appealing:
He argues that the so-called skills gap in the United States (between what workers can do and what firms need them to do) is nowhere near as large as it is touted to be. Rather, firms in the past hired people and then trained them for the job. Now they want the workers to come ready-trained.
That would explain the recent trend of firms refusing to even look at those applicants who are unemployed. Perhaps their skills have already rusted?
Though an alternative explanation works, too: The labor markets are still the buyers' markets so firms can be as picky as they wish.
And that alternative explanation also accounts for the reduced willingness on the firms' behalf to train workers. Why bother doing that if you can find people who are already trained at the same wage rate?
But hold your horses. There's something else going on, because if those well-trained people are willing to work at fairly low wages, why can't firms find them?
And then we know that employers are basically not paying very much, so if you are the least bit economically oriented, then you say 'ok, they can't find what they want, but they're not willing to raise their prices (wages in this case) so gee, that's not a surprise.'Cappelli proposes that firms are artificially narrowing the supply of labor they consider so that only those who are a perfect fit need apply. But that narrow segment of the market will not take the jobs at the low wages the firms are offering. Hence the paradox of a buyers' labor market where the buyers cannot find what they search for.
I'm not sure what's going on here within the usual framework of a labor market. It could be that the markets are not clearing. It could be that the particular market Cappelli has in mind has few large firms buying the labor, and those firms have market power to set wages and to restrict employment. Or it could be that the ordinary market framework fails to explain the kind of limited rationality that underlies employment decisions.
Perpetuation of Racial Entitlement!
That's what Justice Scalia of the Supremes called the Voting Rights Act. The Guardian story I link to tells more about the reasons for that astonishing comment. Well, astonishing to anyone living in the real world where racial entitlement mostly goes in the opposite direction.
The basic conservative argument is that the disease (Southern laws and other attempts to make it harder for blacks to vote) have been cured and the remedy should no longer be administered.
If we take that medical approach seriously, the obvious step is to establish whether the disease in fact has been cured. Are there no attempts to make voting harder in minority areas, for example?
Now I'm Truly Worried!
Because Google co-founder tells us this:
Google co-founder Sergey Brin on Wednesday described his misgivings with smartphones, saying that using them makes him feel less manly.
During a speech at the TED Conference in Long Beach, Calif., Brin called smartphones "emasculating."
"You're standing around and just rubbing this featureless piece of glass," Brin said of smartphones, according to CNET. Brin talked about his company's head-mounted device, known as Google Glass, that has been set up to compete with smartphones.
Eeeek! What's happening to mah testosterone??? And what's happening to me, a female goddess, if I'm further emasculated? My masculinity feels so fragile and vulnerable already. Better go out to have beer, fart, burp and kick some ass, right? Or grab some ass.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Ross Douthat seldom fails to give me (unhealthy) food for my blogging, and his last column is no different. Ross sounds like a Victorian preacher in most of it, at least the sort of a Victorian preacher I imagine: A stern patriarchal figure regarding the poor as immoral children, in need of the preacher's ability to interpret the divine will when it comes to the poor, but without any direct experience of the lives of the poor.
It's fun. Douthat begins by stating that despite all the science-fiction ideas about the future of unlimited leisure time, what we have now is an upside-down world where the rich work hard and the poor do not. That's the first fib in his story: Most poor people work, many work very hard, and there are rich people who don't lift a finger, except to have it manicured by someone else.
A slight exaggeration, but you should get my point: Douthat exaggerates in the other direction. He also assumes that only the work that is compensated with money is real work.
Anyway, the column continues like this, about the vast riches of the United States:
Those riches mean that we can probably find ways to subsidize — through public means and private — a continuing decline in blue-collar work. Many of the Americans dropping out of the work force are not destitute: they're receiving disability payments and food stamps, living with relatives, cobbling together work here and there, and often doing as well as they might with a low-wage job. By historical standards their lives are more comfortable than the left often allows, and the fiscal cost of their situation is more sustainable than the right tends to admits. (Medicare may bankrupt us, but food stamps probably will not.)So if the available jobs are no better than scrounging in the garbage tips or living off relatives, why bother? In any case, people used to starve to death so what does the left complain about? And we can afford the food stamps and the garbage dump sources of food.
Here's the thing which made me think of that mythical Victorian out-of-touch preacher: The column tells us nothing about what happened to those blue-collar jobs, nothing about why real wages are not rising but rather declining, nothing about multinational corporations, outsourcing and so on. All these things just are, and the only thing Ross bemoans is that they might be bad for the morals and morale of the poor.
Monday, February 25, 2013
We Saw Your Boobs
Seth MacFarlane sang "We Saw Your Boobs" at the Oscars of 2013 where he hosted the event. You can listen to and watch the performance here.
A catchy song, and MacFarlane is not too bad at singing it. I sat mesmerized expecting the bit where he would sing "But We Did Not See Your Willies." You know, with the same listing of movies and the actors in them. For each woman whose boobs were seen, give me a guy whose willie was not seen in a movie.
Because that would have been hootingly hilarious! Well I think so.
Of course humor is in the eye of the beholder, like a mote or a beam, to mix my metaphors. And it may well be, as these gentlemen tell us, that humor is meant to be goofy or edgy or subversive:
- Seth Rogen and Andy Samberg, from the more Hollywood insider of comic camps, qualified their comments, insisting that hosting an awards show can be difficult, and that MacFarlane's schtick was about being weird than anything mean. Rogen said: "Good comedy is subversive." Samberg? "I always like the goofier stuff."
Now forget the rest of MacFarlane's performance (which would have been pretty good from any knuckle-dragger) and ask yourself what the meta-joke might be in the Boob Song.
Is it that these serious female actors are defined as mere boob carriers, and that this is why they are watched on the screen? Or is it a deeper joke about the men (I assume it's heterosexual men MacFarlane means by "we") who pay attention to nothing but bare boobs and are very proud of that, the way MacFarlane played it? Or is it even something deeper than that, a synechdoche for women of all types, not just those in the acting business? The way The Onion tweet perhaps implied in that extremely nasty tweet about a child (though a female child) which was removed and for which The Onion apologized?
Nah. I think MacFarlane wanted to shock. That's why the built-in false-angry reactions by a few of the women mentioned in the song. We are supposed to admire his gall at shocking those famous actors and being naughty while doing so. Except that jokes about boobs or talking about boobs or pictures about boobs are not shocking. They are boringly universal and impossible to avoid on the Internet. There's nothing subversive about such jokes. Indeed, they are as traditional as white sliced bread and Miracle Whip.
If there was anything subversive about MacFarlane's whole performance, it was his perseverance, his insistence at sticking it to the female gender in those jokes, and most of them were like white bread with Miracle Whip on top, boring and bland to me. "A woman's innate ability to never let anything go?"
I thought that women could never make up their minds about anything? But perhaps that's for the next time MacFarlane hosts this show. -- The point is, of course, that our Seth saw his audience as hetero guys, pretty much. Perhaps white, hetero guys?
And yes, he was pretty mean to several individual men, too. But not really to the male gender, as far as I could tell. Of course, the default value for an individual is still a man, so it's hard to see what one man does as somehow indicative of all men, though there is little difficulty of drawing conclusions about all women from a handful of female actors.
The really interesting bit about this all is this, by the way :
To an extent, MacFarlane gave the academy exactly what it deserved. (And let's remember, people, his script was pre-approved, probably by many layers of powerful vetters.)
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Bela Lugosi Classic - Movie Art by Rick Melton - T-Shirt
Rick Melton Commercial Artist best known for his painting and colummn that appear in the monthly DARKSIDE Magazine, and the Adults only SUZIE SMUT magazine.
The artwork on this T-Shirt is Rick's interpretation of characters and scenes from the movie and is therefore not directly connected to the movie in any way.
We offer the complete range of his artworks on t-shirts, and other merchandise, so get collecting now
Colour: Black
Material 100% Cotton / Gildan Soft Spin
Print: Over -sized screen printed image on front
Machine Washable
Size Guide Chest inches / cm
Medium 40" / 102cm
Large 44" / 117cm
X-Large 46" / 118cm
XX-Large 50" / 128cm
XXX- Large 54" / 138cm
Length of garment 27" - 32" / 72cm - 79cm
Model in picture is wearing a Large - 44" Chest Tee.


text:
The Buell XB12 Lighting is quite unlike any other roadgoing motorcycle, though it draws a logical comparison with the Cagiva Xtraraptor and Ducati Monster. All three involve massive fuel-injected v-twin motors with minimalistic styling, but the Buell does it differently … very differently. For starters, it has 20% more engine capacity, and produces more torque delivered lower in the rev range than its competitors. The real trickery behind the Buell is not the engine though – it is the radical forged aluminium chassis. The fruit of countless hours of computer simulation of the stresses which motorcycle chassis' undergo, it is as rigid as it looks, and doubles duty as a petrol tank, while the massive swinging arm also multi-tasks as the oil tank.
In this way, the entire package has been made smaller and lighter. So with the biggest motor in a class of motorcycle known as "streetfighters", the brutal Buell is also the smallest and lightest of the bunch. On the road, it feels a lot smaller and lighter and more nimble than its competitors, but comparing the numbers really highlights the magnitude of Buell's achievement.
The XB12 weighs 10% less than the Italians and its wheelbase is 1320mm compared with 1440mm for the Ducati and Cagiva. A 10% difference in the wheelbase of a motorcycle translates to a very different riding experience. It also has a steep 21 degree rake (steering head angle) and a compact, low centre of gravity, and this helps to understand how Buell have created a motorcycle with such a difference.
The fighting weight of the Buell is quite remarkable at an anorexic 175 kg, compared to the Monster's 193 kilos and the Xtraraptor's 197kg. Compare those weights with Honda's all-conquering MotogGP bike which should sit on the 145kg minimum but doesn't, weighing in at "more than 148 kg" according to official documents.
No weight has yet been specified for the first of the MotoGP replicas likely to hit showroom floors – the Ducati Desmosedici RR. The real Desmosedici weighs in at 145 kilograms, right on the MotoGP limit. It will be interesting to see which is lighter – the Buell or the RR.
Now Ducati and Honda don't have to worry about head and tail lights, blinkers, mirrors, instrumentation, alternators and batteries and all the other road registrable paraphernalia on their GP bikes. Both are constructed of materials which could not be considered in mass production due to their limited lifespan and incredible cost. Buell's delivery of a road bike which is so close in weight to the fastest GP bike in history is a feat of some magnitude. That's how it can be both brutal and surgical at the same time. It stalks down the street, with the feeling that it is applying more rubber to the road than a Formula One car. Yet the wheels are both several kilograms lighter than the competition, and such a substantial reduction in unsprung weight enables the suspension to do its job so much better.
The suspension is made by Showa, the same company which provides the suspension on the aforementioned RC211V Honda MotoGP machine, with both ends adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping and a set of upside-down forks which further reduce unsprung weight. Inverted forks are state-of-the-art these days, gracing every tarmac machine with sporting pretence from MotoGP to supersport roadsters but Buell was the first to fit inverted forks to a roadgoing motorcycle. With quality suspension, an incredibly rigid chassis and the lightest unsprung weight in the business, those fat sticky tyres stay glued to the tarmac and the XB12S offers a comforting grip on the road in all circumstances.
Most notably, the Buell feels at home under brakes and that's probably due to the patented Zero Tortional Load (ZTL) braking system. The 375mm perimeter mounted rotor is gripped by a six-piston Nissin brake calipre and offers immense power and delicate feel. You won't run out of brakes on the Buell, and alongside the Aprilia RS250, you will never get a safer motorcycle upon which to refine the "art of the stoppie", the spectacular under-brakes, reverse wheelie made famous by stunt bikers.
Read the numbers and you know it steers quickly even before throwing a leg over the low saddle. But with such miniscule proportions and shallow rake, one would expect far twitchier, overly sensitive steering than the XB12S delivers. It feels agile and poised, not skittish and not at all threatening as some bikes of similar proportions do.
We suspect that one of the key reasons for the Buell's poise and lack of any disappointing road manners is what we previously referred to as a compact centre-of-gravity – the average location of the mass of the motorcycle.
The compact design of the Buell is doubly clever when you consider how it has rearranged the components in order to get the heaviest items closer to the centre of gravity – the muffler, petrol and oil tanks being the obvious targets, but even the truncated rear-end styling saves valuable weight at the extremities.
The Buell is the product of 20 years of refinement under the funding of Harley Davidson motorcycles by Erik Buell. Originally Buell pursued dreams of building prototype race machinery leading-edge limited-edition sportsbikes.
Buell History
The first motorcycle designed and built by Erik Buell was the RW750 in 1983. This was a 750cc, two-stroke, "square-four", rotary-valve racing machine designed specifically to compete in the AMA Formula One road racing class.
A prototype RW750 first hit the track in the AMA National at Pocono Speedway in the summer of 1983. Buell continued extensive testing and development work on the bike throughout that summer and into the fall. His success was measured during testing at Talladega, Alabama, where it was clocked at a top speed of 178 mph. Development on the RW750 continued through 1984, a production version was released in the fall. Just one RW750 was sold to the American Machinists Racing Team before the AMA announced that 1985 would be the last year of Formula One racing. An announcement that Superbikes would occupy the premier race class in 1986 effectively eliminated any market for the RW750.Crushing as that may have been to lesser builders, Buell viewed the rules change simply as a setback. He went back to work, this time aiming squarely at the goal of building the first world-class sportbike designed and built in the USA. Tapping his knowledge of what works on the racetrack and his experience as a Harley-Davidson engineer, Erik Buell designed his first entry into the sportbike market, the RR1000. Powered by the Harley-Davidson XR1000 engine, the stiff, light chassis was designed to allow rubber-mounting that became a patented engineering "trademark" of Buell sport bikes: the Uniplanar system. Buell's design also utilised the engine as a fully stressed member of the frame. Capping the engineering firsts was Buell's use of a rear suspension mounted beneath the motor and a shock that operated in reverse of the conventional compression-rebound practice. A total of 50 RR1000 models were produced during 1987-88 before the remaining XR1000 engines were depleted.
Buell saw the new 1203cc Harley-Davidson Evolution engine as an opportunity to continue tuning the performance and handling qualities of his bikes. With that in mind, he began redesigning the chassis to accommodate the 1203. The resulting RR1200 model was introduced during 1988, and 65 were produced for sale through 1989.Streamlining and bodywork had been a particular talent and passion for Erik Buell. Thus, his motorcycles continued to change at a measured pace through the years. In 1989, he introduced the RS1200, a two-seat version of the RR model for riders who demanded both world-class performance and two-up comfort. 105 of these unique models were produced through 1990.
Five-speed transmissions were a new feature of the 1203cc engine in 1991. Buell responded to revised engine mounting points with further design improvements to the RS chassis. These bikes were the first production motorcycles to use "upside-down" (inverted) front forks, stainless steel braided brake lines and a six-piston front brake calliper.
As Buell motorcycles were refined, the company's manufacturing capabilities were expanded. 1991 was the first year in which Buell Motor Company not only designed bodywork, but also produced it in a new composite and paint shop. The result was greater quality control and improved design flexibility.
A single-seat version of the RS1200 was introduced late in the 1991 model year. Dubbed the RSS1200, it won enthusiastic approval of the motorcycle press for its lean, clean lines. A total of 40 units were built between March and August 1991. Combined production of RSS and RS models totalled 325 through 1993.In 1994, Buell introduced the curvaceous Thunderbolt S2, the first model produced under the partnership with Harley-Davidson Inc. The motorcycle won rave reviews from the motorcycle press and is still known for its beautiful lines and fluid design. A sport-touring version, the S2T, was added to the line-up in 1995. The new model was named Rider Magazine's Top Innovation that season. Together, the two models combined for total sales in excess of 1,000 units.The next year brought the introduction of the all-new 1996 Lightning S1. The original "street fighter", the Lightning S1, defined a whole new class of "Hooligan" motorcycles. Featuring minimal bodywork, a racing-styled seat, exposed frame and the centralised mass of the 1203cc engine, exhaust system and suspension, the model was named "Hooligan Bike of the Year" by Cycle World Magazine that year.
A redesign of the Thunderbolt was also introduced in 1996 as the Thunderbolt S3 and the Thunderbolt S3T. The models continued the design evolution of sport touring motorcycles. Together with the Lightning S1, the S3 and S3T combined for sales in excess of 2,000 units.
In 1997, the Cyclone M2 was introduced to the Buell line with ith a more relaxed seating configuration and wider seat, the Cyclone helped push Buell motorcycle sales above the 3,000 unit mark.The new Thunderstorm engine was introduced into the Buell line-up in 1998 as the powerplant for the new White Lightning S1W model. Similar in styling to the S1 Lightning, the new bike featured a carbon fibre rear fender, bold colours, and the super-high output Thunderstorm engine. The S1W was named "Best Standard" by Cycle World Magazine. The Thunderbolt models also received the Thunderstorm engine to round out an impressive offering of 1998 models. Sales continued to grow, and in 1998 Buell sold more than 5,000 motorcycles. A complete redesign of the Lightning and Cyclone models was in store for 1999. New body, new frame, new suspension, larger and more comfortable seats and bold new colour offerings were available on the Lightning X1 and Cyclone M2. The Thunderbolt S3 and S3T also received a refined seat and dramatic new colour and sport touring options. Dynamic Digital Fuel Injection (DDFI) became a standard feature on the Lightning and Thunderbolt as well. The redesign and refinements helped contribute to total sales of approximately 8,000 units world-wide during 1999.
On the road
Now the centre of gravity of a motorcycle is just the average location of the mass of a motorcycle.
One of the main reasons big touring bikes wallow and yaw on undulating and bumpy roads at speed is the amount of weight they carry at a distance from the centre of gravity – panniers, a heavy fairing, a top box and heavy mufflers all contribute to the shimmy and yaw to warn the rider that any more power or speed or unwanted road forces might cause the motorcycle to samba out of control. The Buell is at the opposite end of the scale, with every fitting on the motorcycle designed to be as close to the centre of gravity as possible – it is the exact opposite and reduces the moment of inertia in pitch, roll and yaw. The result is a bike which is effectively devoid of bad handling behaviour – if you are good enough, this bike will do exactly what you tell it. If you crash this bike, it will almost certainly be because you have been going ridiculously fast or have misjudged the road surface.
The seating position is quite upright, and the bars are flat and offer plenty of leverage, so the bike is ideal for round-town and won't give you a sore back. In discussing the handling and road presence of the Buell, it was more than once described as a bionic pea – it feels like it has a compact core which sits directly below the rider located somewhere between the knees and ankles and with such an upright seating position and the bike disappearing below the rider's view very quickly, it feels like it will do whatever is asked of it, and inspires confidence. The Buell press kit describes it as a "feeling of flight" and it's not just the product of a copywriter's imagination – it really does feel different and exhilarating.
Now the XB12S motor arguably has its roots a half century in the prehistoric past given the rate of engine evolution going on around it. The Harley motor is not remotely near the forefront of engine design though it does a remarkably good job thanks to the addition of a range of innovative solutions and modern technology grafts which have taken well.
It looks and sounds like a two-wheeled, big bore hotrod motor and its specs share more in common with a fuel-injected V8 hotrod than they do with the overhead camshaft and sophisticated valve actuation of its much higher revving competitors.
The air-cooled, 45-degree pushrod twin is now fuel-injected but it snarls and spits just like the hot rods it emulates. That's not to say there isn't some very clever stuff happening. To keep the torque band fat, the new XB1200 engine is equipped with Buell InterActive Exhaust. An electronic actuator activates a butterfly valve housed in the muffler to adjust back-pressure by alternating between two gas flow paths. The engine ECM monitors engine speed and throttle position while activating the valve to optimise torque and horsepower for the riding condition. At wide-open throttle, for example, the valve is opened at low rpm to reduce back-pressure so the engine can gain rpm quickly. The valve closes in the mid-range to increase torque during acceleration, and then opens again at high rpm to deliver the most horsepower.
The Buell InterActive Exhaust has a rich, throaty exhaust note – open the throttle and the rumble of idle becomes a flat blat which takes on a rich tonal quality in the mid range. The motor is at its finest with an open throttle and between 3000 and 4000 rpm on the dial – it's not your standard Harley drag-pipe music but it fits nicely with the feeling of the bike and with a 1200cc motor in the midst of its torque curve, the XB1200S simply beams you to a different speed.
That's why the Buell is so rewarding. It can be ridden around town in a completely legal manner whilst having more fun than you can imagine – this is not possible on a 1000cc supersport. On the Buell, it's just big grin territory.
If it were our choice, we'd get a set of cams to take 25% off the 100 horsepower top end, fattening up the low and mid-range torque curves in the bargain. And we'd fit heavier cranks so it is smoother at low speed, where it's willingness to cough and spit necessitates one watchful hand over the clutch at all times. It's current state-of-tune detracts from its low speed engine performance just a little too much.
Outside city limits, the XB12S is a happy participant, though it's more a backroad motorcycle than a freeway machine. There's no fairing and like all naked bikes, it gives you a full frontal to the elements. If your Buell is going to see a lot of country roads, and wind roar and buffeting aren't your go, then choose the XB12S' similar but faired variant, XB12R.
On a windy road the frame and suspension make light of every corner, setting you up for the surge of torque and glorious ripping exhaust as you slingshot from the exit of every turn. It's fantastic fun in these environments, and more than makes up for the discomfort of riding it into the country on a freeway.
But it is a streetfighter-class motorcycle first and foremost - an immensely capable almost miniscule motorcycle with a relaxed, ergonomically-sound riding position designed for an urban environment.
Ride it well and it rewards you. Ride it badly and the big motor excuses almost any faux pas. It is incredibly responsive, and can be pulled in tight in the middle of a corner without any sign of a complaint. Unlike most bikes this tiny, which have high-revving 125 and 250 motors, it's very difficult to find yourself in the wrong gear, and if you do, get on the clutch and feed in some drive and the big motor will snap you upright again.
A thoroughbred motorcycle it is. Yet for all its charms, one stands out above the others - it has a personality. In a world of sameness, it is very different and it's a bike you will enjoy being with. If you're prepared to wear a backpack or have it wear a tankbag, you could ride it to work every day and enjoy doing so every single day. It's a bike upon which you can have fun at the speed limit.
There's one final aspect of the Buell which might make a difference. It has limited availability, distinctive styling, and a two great brand names behind it, one with a 20 year heritage and the other with a century. It will always retain a strong resale value.