Flickr Fireworks Fun

Today I was able to check out a TANDBERG video conferencing setup. Its such a cool system, we had 2 huge ass plasmas built into the wall and a videocamera built in between them. The system video conferences at various connection speeds but we were using 384kb/sec. The TANDBERG system is also a very secure system I was told (the US defence department uses it!), so its perfect for talking business no matter how confidential the matter might be. The guy who was showing me the video conferencing system used a Marantz RC9500 remote control (drool!!) to control the whole thing including rotating the camera and zooming in and out. With a click of a button we connected to an office in Oslo which was closed but we were able to pan the camera around over there and check out the office. While checking out the Oslo office he also connected to a roof top cam on their companies head office in Japan and then connected to the conference room located in the same building we were in. So in total we were connected to 3 places on the same screen, very cool. The guy also told me that you could connect a laptop to the system and do a power point presentation or play Quake and they could all watch you. I don’t know how much a system like this costs, I should have asked him but I know I can’t afford the Marantz remote yet alone the two plasma screens and the TANDBERG system.. sucks!!

In 1976 the government established the Reserve Fund for Future Generations, into which it placed an initial US$7 billion. It resolved to invest 10 percent of its revenues annually in the reserve fund. Money from the fund, along with other government revenues, was invested in overseas property and industry. In the 1970s, most of these funds were invested in the United States and in Western Europe: in German firms (such as Hoechst and DaimlerBenz , in each of which Kuwait owned 25 percent), in property, and in most of the United States Fortune Five Hundred firms. In the 1980s, Kuwait began diversifying its overseas investments, placing more investments in Japanese firms. By the late 1980s, Kuwait was earning more from these overseas investments than it was from the direct sale of oil: in 1987 foreign investments generated US$6.3 billion, oil US$5.4 billion. The Financial Times of London estimated Kuwait’s overseas investments in early 1990 at more than US$100 billion, most of it in the Reserve Fund for Future Generations.

The Iraqi invasion proved the importance of these investment revenues. With oil revenues suspended, the government and population in exile relied exclusively on investment revenues, including sales of investments for sustenance, for their share of ongoing coalition expenses and for postwar reconstruction and repair of the vital oil industry. While these funds were depleted to $40-$50 billion after the war, they currently are estimated around $80 billion.

Landor – Dubai
Senior Designer – Branded Environments
Will initiate and develop design concepts and solutions. Will work with design team in fulfilling client needs under the direction of Design Director. Candidates must have a BFA or equivalent education and 5-7 years experience. Good communication and presentation skills. Ability to travel, prioritize and meet deadlines. Proficient in Mac and numerous graphics and design software.

Apply Here [Link]

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Fitch – Doha
Client Manager
A new Client Manager is urgently required in Doha, Qatar. Fitch’s studio in Qatar is growing rapidly and seeks a Client Manager with 2-3 years experience in project management and a desire for a new challenge. Not only is the work exciting and varied but the role comes with the added bonus of a tax-free salary and a generous living allowance.

Please reply with your cv to: Lucy Salter, Fitch, 121 – 141 Westbourne Terrace, London, W2 6JR or by e-mail: lucy.salter@fitch.com

Apply Here [Link]

This is one concert I would love to go to, maybe they will come out with a DVD for it. Starting July 6th at the Hollywood Bowl, the first major U.S. concert tour featuring music from a variety of the most popular video games will begin.

The announced game titles for the 2005 tour are:
Mario, Zelda, Halo, Metal Gear Solid, Warcraft, Myst, Castlevania, Medal of Honor, God of War, Kingdom Hearts, Sonic, Tron, Tomb Raider, Advent Rising, Headhunter, Beyond Good & Evil, Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six, EverQuest II and a special retro arcade segment that goes from Pong to Donkey Kong!

For more information visit the official website. [Link]

Music Torrents

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Greenlighters are an emerging underground movement of sexually promiscuous teenagers, including bisexual, homosexual, and heterosexual members. Members of this movement wear a green polo shirt with the collar up, indicating that they are open to pretty much any sexual adventure. When someone comes up to them and puts the collar down, they are “collared” and will go with that person and do whatever sexual act they ask. Transfer of money is not usually involved. Some parent groups are starting to get involved – urging parents to go through their kids clothes and confiscate green shirts and polos. [Link]

You can watch and listen to the Live 8 concerts online from the AOL music website. I am currently waiting for Audioslave to come on stage in Berlin. [Link]

Update: Other shows to look out for, Pet Shop Boys in Moscow, Pink Floyd and Velvet Revolver in London and Placebo in Paris.

Update 2: WOW, Audioslave are playing acoustic version of Sound Gardens “Black Hole Sun”. I hope they play some Rage Against the Machine songs!!

Update 3: They just started playing a Rage Against the Machine song!!!!!!

I hate them.