Just stumbled across this Apple spot from 1997 – “Here’s to the crazy ones”.

Think different. I do. At least I try to. And I’m using Apple hardware

Since I have no plans at all for an ego page, no “about me” or whatever, quotes days might offer a glimpse at me. At what I like, or at least find interesting enough to post. Don’t expect too much…

“Be warned in time, James, and remain, as I do, incomprehensible: to be great is to be misunderstood.” [Oscar Wilde]

Benjamin Franklin has been quoted: “The only things certain in life are death and taxes.”

Since I’m still alive, that leaves taxes. Ok, actually it leaves me with a mountain of forms for my tax returns (Still hoping to get some). Usually, I don’t need to fill out all of those and hope for a penny to be returned, but this year, I had to. That was due to the fact that I had to register myself as freelancer last year to bill some work I had done, which meant that I had to do a mandatory tax declaration. I wasn’t really aware of that, since filing a tax return is voluntary for employees in Germany – but four days in November changed that. What made it worse is that there’s a fixed period in which you have to file your declaration….

So “I got a letter from the government – The other day  – Opened it and read it” [Tricky - Black Steel] (Yeah, it’s quotes day).  It said that I had so far failed to file my tax reports and that I had to do it till August 22nd. A so called “Frist” (Another one of these german words that will sooner or later make it to the american vocabulary – like Zeitgeist, Angst or Fahrvergnügen. It sounds as harsh and brutal as it is. Frist can be translated as “deadline”, “period”, “respite”, “time limit”, etc. Start using it folks – you know you want to be hip!). Since after the Frist expires, sanctions can and will be used, I had to comply.

No news for anybody: Tax return forms are magical things that can not be understood by common man. They aren’t meant to be, either. I opted for the quick kill and prepared offerings to the gods…

Long story short: On the last day of the Frist, today, I handed a thick envelope to the german equivalent of the IRS – and as hope dies last, there might even be a return…

Edit: I’ve just been made aware that “Black Steel” was originally been written & performed by Public Enemy – thanks Ben.

I could quit any time I want.

I’m talking about tea, obviously…

Leuk just sent me a link to www.allmytea.de, a page where one can mix his own blend of tea. I created something I called “Sophisteacated” (Yeah, lame, I know) that consists of a strong Assam+some Lemongrass, Cranberrys and Chili. Guess it’ll either be great or kill my taste buds. Free samples for everyone when it arrives…

Why Irukandji syndrome?

The Irukandji syndrome is a rare medical condition that occours after being stung by a box jellyfish (Carukia barnesi or Irukandji jellyfish). Even though C. barnesi is the only species which has been proven to cause Irukandji syndrome, it’s widely suspected that several other species might cause it as well. It’s difficult to prove this, as most of these jellyfish are very small, and most appear to be living in the depths. Currents, storms and similar influences bring them up to shallow waters, where they encounter humans.

While a single sting usually is not fatal, the Irukandji syndrome is believed to be one of the most painful experiences known to men. The sting itself often isn’t noticed at all, and even if, it’s been described as being “like mosquito bite or a wasp sting”. Symptoms start after about 30 mins and include “headache, backache, muscle pains, chest and abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, sweating, anxiety, hypertension, and pulmonary edema” (Yeah, I quoted wikipedia on that). Symptoms last between 4 and 30 hours. There’re several records from victims to this condition (Wikipedia says: check out Discovery Channel – they have at least two programs featuring the syndrome) and what they describe doesn’t sound like fun to me.

Which is exactly what some people say about me being in their office all day long…

Just kidding.

Ok, half kidding.

But while “painful and inconvenient” may be euphemistic when it comes to Irukandji syndrome, it may prove just fitting for my blog. (And otherwise, it’s still a pretty cool name.)