Saturday, December 31, 2005
We have 5 more minutes before we leave, so here are some "best of-worst of" awards for 2005:
Hooray for:
Boo too:
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Hooray for:
- The Spring framework for J2EE development. There are so many "frameworks" in the Java world, each one claiming to be better than the last, but this one really is well-thought out, consistent, well-documented, and above all, HELPFUL to the developer. I also recommend the book by Rod Johnson who "founded" this framework: "J2EE without EJB" - despite him looking awfully foppish on the front-cover photo, he explodes a lot of myths pumped out by the Sun marketing machine over the last 5 years, and really points out that sometimes, the Emperor's new clothes are so heavy that they prevent him from moving.
- The President of Mozambique for finally striking a deal to bring the Cahora Bassa Dam on the Zambeze, this country's biggest single infrastructure asset, into Mozambican hands. And secondarily for getting the actual building of the new bridge over that same huge river, underway. These are projects his predecessor faffed about at for 15 years without success
Boo too:
- The WTO Ministerial Negotiations in Hong Kong, for keeping the bullshit "Doha Declaration" alive, with big concessions made by developing countries in return for a few more half-promises by the big boys. The rich countries are only storing up trouble for themselves, if you look at the "Sine Wave" of WTO Ministerials since the organization was founded in 1994, they alternate "good-bad-good-bad". This year was a "good" one, but it was still pretty terrible for the rich hypocrites (the G7, basically). So 2007 is going to be a blinder, just wait for it!
- The Mozambican Police and Justice systems, for being the most corrupt institutions out of a very corrupt state, according to a national survey in 2004, which was only released by the government recently after they edited out the worst bits. My personal experience and that of everyone I know here, foreign or moz, bears out these results. The police are SICKENING. And the justice system - well as long as the man who ordered the death of Carlos Cardoso walks free (I sat two tables away from him at a society wedding last month!), then there ain't much else to say!
We are just off to Swaziland, to spend the long hogmanay weekend with an old friend from "darn sahf" who is touring South Africa. Was at work till 11pm last night helping with "closing off the year" activities so it is nice to get away. It has been rather cold the last few days, Swazi may be colder still. Certainly not a very festive feeling so far, but not bad either. Happy New Year to everyone!
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Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Der classe ist im der glasse! For all readers who are A-Team fans, check out this fabuloso site: http://members.aol.com/immurdoc/a-team/writestuff.htm
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Wednesday, December 07, 2005
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We had to dress formally, as the Finance Minister was supposed to come, and nowadays my only formal gear is the Kilt. In fact his Excellency didn't show, but everyone wanted a photo with me anyway. Nina couldn't come as better halves weren't invited, so I have included a photo of her + me + kilt for good measure...
