Thursday, January 31, 2008

Russia's most famous - and glamorous - female bodyguard killed as her Porsche is carjacked in Moscow

How about a "real" Bond Girl!
Russia's most famous female bodyguard Anna Loginova has been killed after failing to prevent her own Porsche being carjacked.
The glamorous 29-year-old died from head injuries after clinging on to the door handle of the Ceyenne and being dragged along the street at high speed as the car screeched away. Loginova ran an agency for female bodyguards, some trained by the ex-KGB, to give discreet protection to Moscow's billionaires and their wives and mistresses.
Story and more pictures in the Daily Mail

Landing at Courchevel Airport - French Alps



That has to be about as close as you could get to landing on a carrier...I wonder how many French have surrendered to that runway!

Hilary Clinton's new Ring!

Through the Panama Canal In 75 Seconds



Through Panama Canal In 75 Seconds - video powered by Metacafe

Inflation in Belgium has reached the highest level in 16 years

Inflation in Belgium has reached the highest level in 16 years. The price of consumption goods this January were 3.46% higher than they were in January 2007. This is a monthly increase of 0.41%.
According to statistics by the Federal Department of Economy, inflation has not been this high since August 1991.
Inflation in Belgium has risen rapidly over the last months- to over double what it was last September (1.51%).The index is now at 108.84 points. Especially natural gas (+0.110) and electricity (+0.060) have gone up in price recently. Bread and grains (+0.060) and milk, cheese and eggs (+0.050) have also risen considerably in price. Noteworthy is the price increase in water supplies (+0.045) and fuel (+0.040).

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Price war to bring cheaper transatlantic flights

A transatlantic price war is set to erupt as the first continental carrier moves in to take on British and American airlines flying from London to the US.
All are taking advantage of the deal which allows any European and US airline to fly between anywhere in the EU and the US.
Meanwhile, Michael O'Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, is waiting in the wings. He is drawing up plans to set up his own low-cost transatlantic airline, flying to "secondary" airports in the USA from bases such as Stansted and Liverpool John Lennon. STORY

Sarko wants to sue RyanAir

The European press can't spill enough ink over Sarkozy and his paramour Carla Bruni, but the latest jab at their whirlwind romance has Sarko tres irrité.
Ryanair, which isn't known for its subtlety, and its girls of Ryanair Calender.....used a photo of the couple in an ad in today's issue of Le Parisien. The thought bubble above Bruni says:
With Ryanair, my whole family can come to my wedding.
That may be--as long as her relatives don't want to check bags--but the French president didn't appreciate the joke. Ryanair's apologized, but Sarko plans to sue the airline for "improper use of the president's image." STORY

Brussels to name the Scammers

The European Commission has vowed to expose industries and companies that rip off consumers by charging them far more in one country than in another.
You think the commission will expose itself?
And while your at it do something about the 20 emails I get every day telling me how to enlarge my penis, or my Nigerian friends who can get me millions.....with just a little cash in advance.

A report launched today will highlight how consumers in Britain are having to pay twice the amount for electricity as in Belgium or Greece.
Within the next five years, the commission hopes to publish a full basket of 500 goods - available in all 27 member states - that will serve to name and shame the most expensive countries. STORY

Sun, sea, sand, low taxes, and it's still the EU

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, is setting itself up as something of tax haven for people of with a wide range of incomes - not just millionaires.
If you are fed up with high taxes and miserable weather, you can escape both without leaving the European Union by moving to an English-speaking country with a flat rate of income tax at 5 per cent or annual allowances of more than £14,600 tax-free. Better yet, savers who have retired can receive interest from bank deposits and sharholdings entirely free of income tax - and inheritance tax has been abolished on this Mediterranean island. READ ON

Moving Abroad Can Strain a Marriage

Mary and Ian Tod have enjoyed what Mary calls "a very strong relationship and marriage" for more than 30 years. They lived in Toronto, and Mr. Tod worked as a lawyer before taking a senior-management role at a major auditing-and-tax firm, while Mrs. Tod climbed the ladder and made partner at a prominent international consulting firm. The couple, now in their 50s, raised two children and had many friends and an active social life. READ STORY IN WALL STREET JOURNAL

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

You don't see this everyday!




Happened during Sunday's FA Cup match between Man City and Sheff Utd. Man City conceded the goal and subsequently lost the match. Here's a photo of goalkeeper Joe Hart taking out his anger on the balloons.

I think someone caused this accident on purpose



Hardly surprising that there are only guys stealing the beer.

STUDS Ball Pictures

Some pictures from the STUDS Ball. The pictures are available here, and will under the STUD Links permanantly. STUD links is in the column on the right hand side.
If any of you have more pictures you want posted from the ball please email them to me at BelgiumSTUDS@gmail.com

How to Torture a STUD?

GIVE HIM THIS EYE SIGHT TEST

Have I got a Loan for you!

At the height of the US subprime lending boom, taking out a mortgage could not have been easier. Low credit score and history of bankruptcy? No problem. Income too low to qualify for a mortgage? Inflate what you earn on a “stated income” loan. Nervous that your lender might check up on your “stated income”? Visit www.verifyemployment.net.
For a $55 fee, the operators of this small California company will help you get a loan by employing you as an “independent contractor”. They provide payslips as “proof” of income and, for an additional $25, they also man the telephones to give you a glowing reference should your lender need it.

It's a rather cold Winter, ya think?

There are few iconic images, illustrating the (supposed) effects of global warming than the photograph of an adult polar bear with its cub, apparently stranded on melting ice, miles away from the shore line.
It has been used by, amongst others, snake oil salesman Al Gore and, of course, found its way into the media, not least The Daily Mail which milked it for all the emotional appeal that it could possibly extract from it.
Now, from an online piece written by Carole J Williams, we get a superb dissertation on how the photographs came to be taken, how they were stolen from the original photographer and then came into the hands of Al Gore, who used them totally out of context to make a point which was not in any way supported by the material he was using.
The photographs themselves – or their use - are a classic example of framing, and demonstrate how it is the context imposed on material rather than the material itself that conveys the message.

Super Bowl tickets as high as $20,000

Tickets for this Sunday's Super Bowl are drawing record selling prices nationally for scalpers, various ticket reselling outlets are reporting.
Ticket King is listing single seats priced from $3,220 to $19,751. Yes, that is for one ticket.
This year's game is at the University of Phoenix Stadium, the 63,400-seat home of the Arizona Cardinals. Its seating is being expanded to about 75,000 for the Super Bowl.
Face value for tickets to this year's game ranges from $600 to $700. For the first Super Bowl, tickets ranged from $6 to $12.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Sex And Psychological Operations By The Germans

Both the Axis and Allies disributed propoganda leaflets during the war to demoralise enemy soldiers. Being young soldiers only needs were food and sex, they might have actually boosted morale. These "pinups" were probably the most collected and traded articles of the war. They were without a doubt the most widely "read" documents of the war.

The Germans prepared a set of four anti-Semitic sexually themed leaflets entitled “The girl you left behind” for use against the Allies in Italy. They Germans fired a smaller version from artillery in March 1944 and dropped a larger sized leaflet from aircraft in November 1944. They are AI-161-11-44 to AI-164-11-44. All are crude drawing in a monotone. These leaflets told the story of the mythical Sam Levy; a Jew who was growing rich and enjoying the favors of a Christian girl while her boyfriend was fighting on the front lines.
Some real interesting reading.

Can you really say that today's projection equipment is as good as what they had back in 1959?

The World's Finest Projection Equipment, Circa 1959. It's Time To Be Brutally Honest, Look Into Our Hearts, And Ask Ourselves This Question: How Much Progress Have We Really Made In The Past 50 Years?

Minnesotans for Global Warming

Here's an idea whose time has come. Being from the Great White North myself, I can relate to this guys efforts to turn your snow shovels into lawn chairs and lets promote this global warming crap.

"As a born and raised Minnesotan, I bring a fresh perspective to this controversial issue calling for the acceptance, and even promotion of a worldwide climate change. I have experienced many Minnesota winters and cannot fathom why the possibility of warmer weather is undesirable."
BLOG
We have had climate change in Minnesota forever, we just happen to call it weather. Only an idiot would oppose a warmer Minnesota.

World's largest Champagne Fountain

A worker adjusts glasses in an attempt to break the world record for the “Largest Champagne Fountain” in the shopping center Wijnegem near Antwerp, Jan. 25, 2008. The 7 metre (22.9 feet) high pyramid will contain more than 43,000 glasses and weigh 8,750 kg (19,290 pounds) to set a new record.
My best guess to fill the glasses would require approximately 1981 gallons (7,500 liters). It may be easier said than done to calculate how many hours that would take.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

I'm sure Americans will be standing in line for the new 1.8's

Is it just me, or is the media one big cheerleader for these toy cars these days? I just hope some money was set aside for shipping charges to bring parts from the EU for warranty work.
Recognizing a good thing - or at least a better thing - when it has one, General Motors is tossing aside the unloved U.S.-built Saturn Ion and bringing the Belgium-built Opel Astra over from Europe. In the states, it's being sold as the Saturn Astra.

Colored is Better



Everybody hates skinny white guys......right?

STUDS expert guide to babysitting


There's not too many of you around with kids this little, as most of you are either on, or closer to the grandparent route, but here's a little guide on how to handle the little ones, in case you forgot.

Hershey Stops Marketing Dime Bags of Cocaine

Belgian chocolate my ass, give me some of the good stuff. All those high paid marketing exes, and nobody saw a problem with this?? I've got a great idea for a liquid white chocolate that comes with it's own syringe....I generally mainline this stuff anyway.

The Hershey Co. is halting production of Ice Breakers Pacs in response to criticism that the mints look too much like illegal street drugs, the company's president and chief executive officer said Thursday......Ya think? STORY

Friday, January 25, 2008

Belgium has serious sperm shortage!

Maybe the reason the Frenchies are coming to Brussels in the article below is to make a protien donation!
The situation is alarming in Brussels. French legislation limits the number of artificial inseminations that can be carried out. Sperm from one donor can only be used to inseminate 6 women. That takes care of my afternoon.

In addition sperm from a number of potential donors cannot be used because their sperm was frozen after they made their donation. In such cases the sperm cannot be used for insemination. Fertility clinics hope to tackle the shortage by launching several campaigns to encourage new sperm donors.
They already have waiting lists of women (yea , they always say that) that are awaiting treatment that are full to overflowing. Sperm will in future also be purchased abroad.

Brussels has the best looking hookers!

Who knew eh? Maybe the country can start promoting them a bit more....Belgium, land of chocolate, frites, beer, and the best looking hookers.

Since the introduction of a new law and a clamp down on prostitution in France, many French men have been travelling to Brussels to satisfy their urges.
Maybe it has something to do with French women.......? On the weekend the red light district is often swamped.
Some punters drive for hours to have a good time and Belgian working girls are said to be far more beautiful than those of Amsterdam. Paying for sex in Belgium is not a problem, but the nuisance the French punters cause isn't appreciated.

Police say they drink on the public highway, take drugs and row with other punters in the bars. I'm sure the Belgian johns do nothing like that.....
Often banned weapons and drugs are found in their vehicles. So far seventy French nationals have been detained during Operation Dolly - half the total number of detentions.

Three little pigs deemed too offensive!

I'm going to start taking large quantities of drugs. Wake me up when this is over.
A story based on the Three Little Pigs fairy tale has been turned by a government agency's awards panel as the subject matter could offend Muslims.
The digital book, re-telling the classic story, was rejected by judges who warned that "the use of pigs raises cultural issues". STORY

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?

Where men are freaks and women are pets. A Goth who took his 'pet girlfriend' for a ride on the bus has complained that he was discriminated against by a bus driver who refused to let them on board.
Tasha Maltby, 19, and her fiance, Dani Graves, 25, were not allowed to get on a bus in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, and claim the driver told them: : "We don't let freaks and dogs like you on."
Living in public housing on benefits…with future plans to breed. God save me! STORY

No Corruption here People

Belgium's brand new Defence Minister, Pieter De Crem, sees no problem in reversing a controversial order by his predecessor. Francophone socialist André Flahaut (a guy who obviously has never turned down a second helping in his life) earlier purchased small calibre guns that cannot be used in international operations and that use ammunition only produced in his constituency.

The purchase of 90 mm guns was controversial from the start. The finance department twice stopped the order.The guns are only produced in Liège by CMI. Ammunition is only produced by Mecar, a company in the constituency of former Defence Minister André Flahaut.All other NATO countries use guns with a higher calibre, at least 105 mms. Using the two types side by side is not an option.Mr De Crem concedes the guns have been ordered, but sees no reason for cancelling the order. He will now examine how Belgium can cancel a contract that costs the taxpayer 42 million euros.Belgian Premier Guy Verhofstadt (Flemish liberal) says that he's unaware of Mr De Crem's decision and that there was nothing wrong with the contract.
Nuclear arms at Kleine Brogel?
Defence Minister De Crem on Wednesday confirmed that nuclear arms are deployed at the Kleine Brogel air force base in Limburg.The presence of the arms has been a public secret for years, but it's the first time there is confirmation from a government minister.Later in the day the minister said that he had meant to say something else and was talking about Belgian co-operation in NATO.

Assasinate the next President

Which Democrat has the best healthcare plan? Settle the controversy the American way: With guns!
Well, virtual guns. Indeed, virtual paintball guns, the weapon of choice in "Presidential Paintball," an online game that allows the "aspiring assassin" to train his sites on Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, or John McCain.
The game's a little stupid, but hey, this blog is not above stupid, as regular readers will attest. PLAY THE GAME

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Having an Affair has never been Easier

'Been left parked in the garage of marriage too long, battery getting flat and needs somebody to give it a spark of life, full tank and ready to go.

In the digital age, having an affair has never been easier. Author Angela Levin spent five months interviewing middle-class professionals for an extensive study that charts the rise of the no-strings-attached relationship. In the first of a three-part investigation, she reveals why the UK is in the grip of an infidelity epidemic. STORY

Justine Henin sent to outback at Australian Open

Just a blatant excuse to post a picture of Sharapova....you didn't think I actually cared about womens tennis....did you?

Russian Maria Sharapova produced a blistering performance to overpower world number one Justine Henin 6-4 6-0 in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Tuesday. "It's funny because I felt like I was in my own bubble today," Sharapova said in a courtside interview. ahhhhh yea.......

More on the Bodacius Tatas

No.....not those Tatas, these Tatas. So, there is this Indian car company. It makes Tatas. In fact, the company is betting that the key to prosperity is having very small Tatas, because then everybody can get their hands on one.
Sorry, but when I hear $2500 Tatas I'm thinking this, not this.

Tatas, now with two front fun bags.

So you must have a slogan of your own... lets hear it.

Get your hands on our Tatas!
Our high beams are ALWAYS on.

How to Fold a Shirt



I would have liked a followup to that....like how to fold a bra?

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Whatever happened to Micheal Jackson?

His surgery went a bit too far, I found him dancing in the metro yesterday. It doesn't get any better than this!

Duvel hopes to continue production of Liefmans

Belgian brewer Duvel Moortgat said on Tuesday that it had put in a bid to buy some of the assets of bankrupt Belgian peer Liefmans Breweries. Duvel, known for its trademark bottled beer and other speciality beers such as La Chouffe, said in a short statement that it was also seeking temporarily to continue production at the brewer under the supervision of administrators.
Duvel added that other parties had also put forward offers to continue production or buy Liefmans assets.

The European Nanny State at Work

London's East End is notorious for its criminals, from serial murderer Jack the Ripper to mobsters the Kray twins.
The latest candidate for this rogue's gallery is Janet Devers, a 63-year-old woman who runs a vegetable stall at Ridley Road market. Her alleged crime: selling goods only by the pound and the ounce.
Ms. Devers, whose stall has been in the family for 60 years, faces 13 criminal charges stemming from not selling her produce by the kilogram and the gram. She stands accused of breaking a European Union-instigated rule that countries must use metric measures to standardize trade.
The rest of Europe is metric. Good to know that the British government has nothing better to do than prosecute a 63-year-old lady for selling her veggies by the pound!

Bill Clinton "Has a Dream" on Martin Luther King day




The trouble is.....it's about Monica Lewinsky!


Monday, January 21, 2008

Wall Street Dating

The following message exchange took place on Craigslist, the New York Community Message Board:

What am I doing wrong ? I’m tired of beating around the bush. I’m a beautiful (spectacularly beautiful) 25-year-old girl. I’m articulate and classy. I’m not from New York. I’m looking to get married to a guy who makes at least half a million a year. I know how that sounds, but keep in mind that a million a year is middle class in NewYork City, so I don’t think I’m over-reaching at all.

Are there any guys who make 500K or more on this board ? Any wifes ? Could you send me some tips ? I dated a business man who made around 200 - 200K. But that’s where I seem to hit a roadblock. $250.000 won’t get me to Central Park West. I Know a woman in my yoga class who was married to an investment banker, and lives in Tribeca. She’s not as pretty as I am, nor is she a great genius. So what is she doing right ?

Here are my questions specifically:
Where do you single rich men hang out ? Give me specifics - bars, Restaurants, gyms …
What are you looking for in a mate ?
Is there an age range I should be targeting ?
Why are some of the women living lavish lifestyles on the Upper East Side so plain. What’s the story there ?
Lawyers, investment bankers, doctors. How much do those guys really make ? And where do the hedge fund guys hang out ?
How do you rich guys decide on marriage versus just a girlfried ? I am looking for Marriage only.

An Investment Banker’s Response: I qualify as a guy who fits your bill - I make more than $500K per year. Here’s how I see it: Your offer is a plain and simple crappy business deal. What you suggest is a simple trade: you bring your looks to the party and I bring my money.

Fine, simple. But there’s the rub, your looks will fade and my money will likely continue into perpetuity - in fact, it is very likely that my income will increase, but it is an absolutely certainty that you won’t be getting any more beautiful ! So, in economic terms, you are a depreciating asset. In Wall Street Terms, we’d call you a trading position - not a buy and hold. It doesn’t make good business sense to ‘buy you’ (which is what you’re asking) - so I’d rather lease. The deal that makes sense to me is dating, not marriage.

Belgium cop killers arrested

Three suspects in the killing of the young Leuven police agent Kitty Van Nieuwenhuysen have been arrested Saturday. 23 year old Van Nieuwenhuysen was shot on Dec. 4th in Lot, when she was called to deal with a break-in.

The murder of the police agent, who had just finished her studies, had shocked Belgium. The men arrested in Charleroi are known to the police and have already been sentenced in the past. Two have Belgian citizenship and are of Moroccan origin, the third has Turkish citizenship.


The suspects are 29, 30 and 31 years old. Two come from the Charleroi region, the third from Namen. The three had fled abroad immediately after the murder. Two came back rather quickly to Belgium. After the third suspect came back yesterday, a special unit of the federal police picked up the trio. The police conducted searches of the residences all of three suspects in order to find useful information relating to the investgiation.


The murder took place Sunday, Dec. 4th at about 3am in Lot. The three men tried to steal a car. When the owner, a karate teacher, tried to stop them, they shot him down. A police patrol which was called to the site also came under fire, before the agents could leave their car. Kitty Van Nieuwenhuysen, who sat in the passenger seat, was seriously injured in her head and died. Her 27 year old colleague was seriously injured. The thieves shot at least 20 bullets at the agents.The murder of the young agent, who would have been 24 on Dec. 5th, shocked the country. She had just finished the police school in Asse.

This little girl really hates school

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Might be a record for STUDS lunch

Drunk Vocabulary



THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Innovative
2. Preliminary
3. Proliferation
4. Cinnamon

THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Specificity
2. Anti-constitutionalistically
3. Passive-aggressive disorder
4. Transubstantiate

THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. No thanks, I'm married.
2. Nope, no more booze for me!
3. Sorry, but you're not really my type.
4. Taco Bell ? No thanks, I'm not hungry.
5. Good evening, officer. Isn't it lovely out tonight?
6. Oh, I couldn't! No one wants to hear me sing karaoke.
7. I'm not interested in fighting you.
8. Thank you, but I won't make any attempt to dance, I have no coordination. I'd hate to look like a fool!
9. Where is the nearest bathroom? I refuse to pee in this parking lot or on the side of the road.
10. I must be going home now, as I have to work in the morning.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Hot for Teacher




It seems a while back, a 24 year old teacher, named Sarah Green made an promotional video for Scruffs Safety-wear. Now her headmaster has suspended her from her teaching post.
The advertising video is now on the Internet and it's a bit naughty, ever since her students started passing it around on their cell phones. though Sarah Green has said, "It's no worse than a Carry On movie."
About the suspension, the headmaster, Andrew Chicken, (yes that's real) has said, "The suspension implies neither guilt or innocence." Good to see that education is run by such decisive and positive people! I bet Scruffs had had a recent sales spike lately though!
STORY

Thursday, January 17, 2008

ROAD TRIP TO BEER MECCA

CLICK ANY PICTURES TO ENLARGE
If you've never made a trip to Beer Mecca, also known as the St. Sixtus Abbey, you might want to read this WALL STREET JOURNAL article in a previous STUDS post to see what all the fuss is about. I think there are actually guys who would leave their wife for this stuff. I had no luck getting through on the "beer phone" to get an appointment to pick up beer for myself, but Joe got lucky and got through on his third attempt, and made an appointment.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of riding along with Joe Stang our own Studs Belgian Beer guru, and John Montgomery to pick up Joe's monthly stash of Westvleteren, or "Westy" as it is affectionally called by Joe. The Abby is right outside Ypres in the middle of nowhere. We first stopped for lunch at The Trumpet, right next to the Cathedral and tried, Ypra, the local brew. It's hard to track down except in some souvenir shops and bars in Ypres. Very much in the style of an abbey Tripel, it also reflects the hop character of beers from this region.


Thank God for GPS, we arrive on Beer Street

Arriving at the Abbey, like I said, in the middle of nowhere, on a road that was about as wide as my driveway. We had to pull off into the grass to let a couple tractors squeeze by.


The first site you see, is the line of cars wound through the trees to pick up their beer. Although it took about forty minutes for us to get our beer, I'm told before there were appointments, the line snaked back for a mile along this thin little road.


We get to the front, and unload the empties. The look on these peoples faces picking up their beer reminds me of a kid on Christmas morning!

Joe gets his stash....is that the look of true love? He did sell John and I both a sixpack, as hard as that was.
To our disappointment the Abbey cafe was closed for the month of January so we weren't able to go in and try a cold one right away.


We took the scenic route back to Brussels and slid down to Wallonia to a small brewery called Brasserie Ellezelloise that is located down a farm road in Ellezelles for a beer tasting. I didn't know that my mother-in-law endorsed this beer, as she is pictured on the label.

To end our day in typical Belgian fashion we arrive at the brewery to a sign that says "closed on Wednesday". This initiated a trip to the local pub where we sampled the brew, and found a local store that sold us a boxed little five pak.