Buy cheap, sell expensive.

Would you believe that this bowl is worth $2.2m? Well neither did the person who sold it for just $3 in a garage sale just a few years ago. Nevertheless that's what it sold for at auction at Sotheby's yesterday. Apparently it is unbelievably old and rare. Although Song dynasty, it was certainly bought for a song, however did not go for a song.

I think I am going to have a look in our attic. You never know what you can find there. It's going to be a dead cat most likely with my luck :-D

True story. Or is it?

Ben Affleck's new Oscar winning film Argo has sparked a wave of comments which are far from positive.

First there is the question of how true the allegedly "true story" is. The Syrians certainly do not feel like the film is showing a true picture of their country.

Then there are the Iranians who find the film really hard to watch.  Iran is even thinking of suing the film over unrealistic portrayal of the hostage crisis.

And last but not least there are the British diplomats who helped the Americans in their time of need, however in the film they are portrayed as turning them away. Clearly in that respect Argo just follows the long Hollywood tradition of British villains and American heroes.

"Harlem Shake" in Oxford (UK)

 Have you ever heard of the Harlem Shake? Well, the first time I have ever heard about it was actually this morning. Unfortunately it was in connection with a poor Oxford librarian who got sacked, because she allowed some students to make a video of it while she was on duty. You can read all about it here.
I do hope she gets reinstated.
Nevertheless, it looks really fun and I think it would be great if someone organized something like that at our university :-D
BTW there are a lot more videos on YouTube. Some of my favorite ones are here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTEtbuR0VZ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pl5d4JNXxE