Technical Engineers won the HK - Ísland Bandý Cup 2013
Inga, Finnur, Ragnar, Anil, Siggi, Ari
Programming, network & system administrating, High Performance computing and technical support are daily jobs for guys from the university of Iceland, computing services. These Guys plays a key role in heart of IT and HPC center in Iceland's academic institution. However, they often gather after work or even during lunch time to get out from chair and do some exercise. This has helped in social activity too. Interestingly they have also acquired extensive skills on how to play bandý.
Inga, Finnur, Ragnar, Anil, Siggi
Although they have been playing bandý for a quite sometime however, the nerds never had a chance to compete with other professionals. Until last year when they played against good team from Iceland, they realized there are lack of skills within the team - obvious for technical nerds :), soon after some tips for those we played against, we were invited to play a tournament yesterday.
Anil received his top scorer award
I was very pleased the performance of the IT center's guys. They have not only played well but
demonstrated professionalism in bandý and beat all the team. Some of the excellent skill were shown by individuals. The crowd just loved it; out of seven game we won six and lost one. Also, I scored the highest goal and awarded a golden ball :)
I am sure if we play regularly with the best team and compete in several tournaments, we can play with any international team - at least I think we can do it.
Hope for the Best
It was not a long ago when Iceland became the first country in northern Europe that needed international financial aid by IMF and other Nordic countries. Since then there has been tremendous changes in the country, well most of them were bad, tax rises, food price rise, pay cut you just name it. However, last year, I read the news in national newspaper that Iceland has paid back all the loans that was granted to Iceland back in 2008. Well, we had an general election recently, the coalition government is formed. They have promised to ease the housing loan and help people from difficulty. The current Prime Minister even promised to write-off 25% on house loan - I am not sure how true is or this is fake promise. Well we will have to wait and see. Many people are not very optimistic about their new promises. But, personally I am positive and hoping they will bring the country in right direction.
Won Bandý Tournament Iceland.
Bandý is very popular name in Nordic countries but it's English name is Floor Ball. We made up our team from my work colleagues and registered for the tournament. This year we won the competition by losing only one game out of seven and became the champion. I scored 11 goals and received top scorer medal and cup.
This shows if we practice professionally and play more tournament, my team is ready to compete with any international team :)
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
63 degree North -Trondhjem, Norway I am always fasinated of Northern part of Europe. This time I visited place called Trondheim in Norway. Very beautiful, great sceneary and lots of greeneires.
Why Should I Pay Tax to this Country if the money I paid is not enough to give me full time electricity and good road and good system. The government spent our money in teaching us our duty to pay Tax on time. I ask you, is it not your duty to pay to its citizen with good system? Anyone give me at least five reasons why should I pay tax??
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I started to think one single point to satisfied this Face-book user but could not even get closer to half a point. Then I wrote to the user on my opinion as :
There is something fundamental wrong in Nepalese political system and has been extremely difficult to change this disgustingly polluted inherited system. Therefore, every citizen in Nepal should not pay tax unless the collected money solely utilized for citizenś welfare. The more I think the more I get frustrated, and remembering my home town road, we called "Galli", This Galli has not been pitched over decade and council is still collecting council tax - Shall I pay again - perhaps not.
Without basic awareness such as "ghuss kana hudaina - janta ko " and fundamental political reform - all leaders only shout with their big mouth nothing else. No matter who comes into power such as Dr., Professor, Scientist so on.. they turn system back to what it was. So, no change again. Therefore until there is no fundamental or primary reform basic structure in the system YOU SHOULD NOT PAY TAX at all.
So called new political party shouted in very big and loud with slogan "NEW Nepal", "New Chapter", - these are all non-sense until they mean it and reform the basic awareness, at least that's what I think
When it comes to geography I am really bad. Having said that, prior to meet my wife I have very little knowledge of countries in Northern Europe. However, after moving in Iceland permanently I become more interested exploring countries that are in North. Iceland resides in 66 degree North. During the winter time, you can see the Northern Light across the country.
Last week I had an opportunity to visit Norway - a country I always wanted to explore. I was in Oslo once, but it was only for airport transit to exchange the plane. But this time I visiting the place called Tromso in right up North of Norway which is 69°40′58″N18°56′34″E. Despite raining all the time and very cold, this city has attracted me so much. I am very fascinated with this place after my first visit. Surrounded by beautiful hills (they call it mountain) followed by sea and the houses in hills reminded me my back home. People I encountered with are much friendly than those I meet in Oslo. I plan to visit again this place - but don´t know when. One thing that I have to make comment of this city is perhaps it is too expensive. Nevertheless I would recommend all to visit this place once if you can.
First of all Iceland express supposed to be budget airline from Iceland - in fact it is not. The price difference from Iceland Air(National Flag Carrier) and IcelandExpress are not that big difference. Okay fair enough with the price but itś services is getting bad to worse in recent days. In particular to my visit to London last week became nightmare. When I booked my flight it was scheduled for 7:55 in the morning and few days later I received mail that flight schedule has been re-sheduled to 8:55 am - okay fine too. On the morning of 14th August I rushed to airport not to be late. Done with all airport procedures, checking in, security etc. 8:55 has passed, No information on the screen what´s happening with the flight. I wonder what is happening, then hour later I saw in the information screen saying "next information is available at 11:00am". My wife was furious to see this news as she was going to London only for 3 days. We went to Iceland express help-desk - very poor response with reply we do not know !! Who should know then ? There are no arrangement for the passenger eg, hotel, and other services. Me and my wife drove back to Reykjavik. Around 12:30 PM I checked with Keflavik airoprt departure schedule and saw the flight is schedule for 17:15. My wife became more furious as she has now lost whole one day. Nevertheless after spending our whole day at Reykjavik (a waste day) we drove back to keflavik airport. Again, after waiting long time at the airport we finally queued for boarding. Once again flight got delayed - no information to the passenger (Same story). I rushed to Help-desk they were not sure weather this plane or other plane. After half an hour a lady confirmed "this is the plane to London Gatwick". A passenger with a big voice announced to the crowd - Iceland express staff should have done it . The aeroplane was not the icelandexpress but Air Finland. I was impressed with the seat space with this airlines however. Inside the aeroplane the crew distributed paper which quoted "we are sorry for the delay" - Thats it.
For me and My wife it was the pain day as we lost whole one day. Was there any compensation - ? Not at all. What about people who had a connecting flight - any service for them - not at all (They probably don´t care either). Will I buy ticket with icelandexpress again - I will think 10 times. Will I recommend ? - perhaps not.
This is Iceland, western Europe. I do understand the technical difficulties however if they provide the information on time that will be very helpful to the passenger. They should extend their helping hands to the passenger who has connecting flight and in some cases compensate - like with me wife she has arranged baby sitting and all for this three days trip to London. But due to Iceland express fault she has been forced to stay two days. I am not sure why Icelandexpress is delivering such a rubbish service. It was not like this few years back, I remeber. Perhaps a result of poor management.
