Let me take you back 800 years, to the Battle of Lyndanisse, which took place during the Livonian Crusade.
Denmark, with some German allies were at war with Estonian tribes. The battle was fought in what we now know as Estonia, but what was the battle about?
Valdemar II, along with Archbishop Anders Sunesen of Lund, Bishop Theoderich von Treyden, and his vassals Count Albert of Nordalbingia and Witslaw I of Rügen, sailed to the northern Estonian province of Revalia at the beginning of June 1219. The crusading army camped at Lindanise and built a castle there, named Castrum Danorum, which the Estonians called Taani-linn (later Tallinn), meaning Danish castle. The Estonians sent several negotiators, but they were only playing for time as they assembled an army large enough to fight the Danes.
On 15 June 1219, the Estonians attacked the Danes near the castle, right after suppertime. They advanced from five different directions and completely surprised the crusaders, who fled in all directions. Bishop Theoderich von Treyden was killed by the Estonians, who thought he was the king. The Danes were saved by their Wendish vassals, as Witslaw led a quick counterattack which stopped the Estonian advance. This gave the crusaders time to regroup, and the Estonians were routed.
The proud Danes were outnumbered, and about to lose the war, when the Heavens opened. Tradition has maintained that the Danish flag appeared at the Battle of Lyndanisse on 15 June 1219. Legend holds that during the battle, in the Danes' hour of need, the Dannebrog fell from the sky and gave them renewed hope. As the Estonians attacked the Danish stronghold, the Danes were hard pressed. Anders Sunesen, the Archbishop of Lund, raised his hands to the sky in prayer, and the defenders held tight as long as his hands were raised. As Archbishop Sunesen became exhausted, he eventually had to lower his arms, and the Estonians were on the verge of victory. Then, a red flag with a white cross fell from the sky, and gave the Danes the victory.
This account builds on two different versions from the early 16th century, both based on an even older source. According to legend, Denmark received its national flag, the Dannebrog, during the battle. This legend is mentioned in the last three books (14-16) of the Gesta Danorum, which describe Danish conquests on the south shore of the Baltic Sea and the Northern Crusades. An edition of the Gesta Danorum was edited by Danish priest Christiern Pedersen, and published by Jodocus Badius on 15 March 1514.
This older source set the emergence of Dannebrog as a battle in Livonia in 1208. But the Franciscan friar Peder Olsen (c. 1527) rectified the year as 1219. The legend became affixed to the Battle of Lindanisse. The legend of Dannebrog as originating in the Northern Crusades holds true, as the red flag with a white cross originated as a crusader symbol.
So, here's to you, you old flag! You are waving proudly in the wind everywhere. I love you, and you are a symbol of something far greater than anything ever!
All salute the flag!
As the title says, it's my birthday today. The time has flown by, which is worrying. I am 35 years old today, but I have always been told, that I look 23 at the most, which is a great compliment to get. Everyone wants to look younger than they are, right?
I don't have any plans for today, other than dinner with my family in about 2 and a half hours time. After that, well I don't know. It's not like it's a round birthday or anything. For me, it's just another day.
I really wanted to spend it with my friend, but seeing as she is unavailable, I will have to imagine it instead. She did tell me yesterday that she's coming over on sunday to stay until monday, so I have that to look forward to.
I admit, I haven't been playing a lot of Pokémon, when I was younger. I had a Gameboy with one of the Pokémon games, but I never played it more than 10 minutes at a time. Then, Niantic released Pokémon GO, a game for your smartphone, where you hunt for Pokémon in the real world. It was insanely popular, so it felt only fitting for a live action Pokémon movie to be made.
The movie follows Tim, a young man who discovers that his father, Harry, is missing, presumed dead. He heads to Ryme City to finish up some things, when he meets Pikachu. A witty detective, who is looking for Harry. Tim and Pikachu can understand each other, but nobody else can. All they hear, when Pikachu is talking, is "pika pika pika", which makes Tim freak out. Understandably.
He meets Lucy, a young reporter, also looking for Harry, which makes her the third person in this movie to do so. Together, they embark on an adventure, filled with thrills and extreme danger, that concludes in a chilling fact.
The lead role as Tim is played by Justice Smith, last seen in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Pikachu is voiced by Ryan Reynolds, and Lucy is played by Kathryn Newton. Other actors on the list include Bill Nighy, Ken Watanabe and Suki Waterhouse.
The budget of this live action Pokémon movie was 150 million dollars, and it made 135 million dollars in the US. The total worldwide box office haul was 397 million dollars. Sadly, the movie was a financial flop, since it didn't make back the budget in the US.
Now, being that I don't know most Pokémon, and that I don't really know how each Pokémon should behave, I went into the film with low expectations. I have heard from people, who know the lore of Pokémon, that it was a great movie, so I was excited to see if they were right - and they were.
It's an impressive looking film. One scene had me going "Wow, that was amazing!". It is a movie aimed at kids, but adults will have a great time as well. I know I did!
8/10!
Yesterday saw the biggest shift in Danish politics - ever!
One party was effectively halved, making it VERY difficult for them to get pretty much anything done. The party in question is the Danish People Party, or simply DPP. Their political agenda is to "protect Danish values", by making sure that we all eat pork, because that is apparently a Danish tradition. Granted, most of the meat we eat here is pork or pork-related, but it's not written into our Constitution, that we HAVE to eat it. One of their figures is gonna give up his seat to someone else, which makes me smile. It's one of two political parties that I despise.
The second one is called "Tight Course", and their agenda is simple: Denmark must deport every non-Western person who has received asylum and is not a native-born citizen of one Denmark's neighboring countries. Denmark must deport every non-Western person who isn't a Danish citizen. For non-Westerners with temporary visas, the visa will not be renewed. Non-Westerners with permanent legal status should also have their status revoked and be deported.
Foreigners who have received Danish citizenship by the legal naturalization process should have their citizenship reevaluated, with the assumption that it will be annulled. Foreigners who have received asylum in Denmark, should of course be deported immediately, given that the foundation for asylum is no longer valid. This applies to their offspring, as well. Thus, deportations to Bosnia and Kosovo obviously must begin immediately.
Every person without legal status in Denmark shall be interned until they can be deported. Individuals who lack legal status while they wait for response to a visa application will be deported while the case is under review. If deportation isn't possible, the applicant should be interned while the application is reviewed
Sound familiar?
However, there are a few things that prevent that from happening:
1: We have religious freedom in Denmark. You are free to practice any religion you want to, free from persecution.
2: There is something called human rights, that dictate that everyone is to be treated fairly - even if you don't agree with the person.
3: They need to be a huge party with majority, before they can even begin to execute their agenda
Now, regarding Tight Course, they needed 2% of the total votes to be able to get into Folketinget, and they received 1.7%. That means they are NOT coming in, which makes me VERY happy. I am just worried about those 1.7% who voted for them.
Regarding the current government, it's tradition for the Prime Minister to go to the Queen to formally resign, and to introduce the new Prime Minister. That will happen in about 2 hours time from now.
The party, that I voted for, won the election, so they will now spend a few weeks assembling the new government, that will lead us into the future. I am excited to see which direction the country is headed.
June 5th is Constitution Day here in Denmark. We celebrate our constitution, by giving people a half day off. This year, however, is a bit special, because the election is held that day.
That means we will elect a new government on the day when we celebrate our constitution.
It's pretty much a dream scenario! What better day to possibly elect a new government on the day which celebrates democracy? Very well planned, I must say.
I know who I am going to vote for, and I will go and vote the second I wake up tomorrow. It''s time for some new people to take office, and to lead Denmark into the future.
It is election season here in Denmark. In three days time, we are either electing a new government, or we are "stuck" with the current one.
Everywhere in the Danish landscape, you see posters for the different candidates. Each with their name, face and whatever political party they represent. However, some go to the extreme in hanging up their face on a poster.
One politician here, is VERY keen on getting into a thing called Folketinget. It is where every elected politician "work" and try to keep the Danish society working. It's the Danish equivalent of Congress in the USA.
Anyway, back to the politician. His name is Morten Dahlin, and he has his face all over the municipality where I live. He is on busses, on YouTube, on websites and on the info screens in the public transport system. Each time there is the following slogan: "Put a personal vote on Morten Dahlin".. That got me thinking..
When does exposure become overexposure? Is there such a thing as overexposure when it comes to politics? I mean, I get that he wants to get into Folketinget, but does he REALLY need to plaster his face EVERYWHERE?
Usually, the politicians hang up three or four posters in an area, and then they campaign in malls or on train stations, but this particular politician hasn't shown his face alongside all the other politicians here. He is very active in a different part of the country, often in places FAR away from where his main audience lives. I think he should go to his local constituency, since he is representing those people.
As for me, I am sick of seeing his face on posters. On my way home earlier today, I saw two types of posters from him - one with his face, and another with his "Put a personal vote for Morten Dahlin" on the poster.
Exposure is good - overexposure can backfire HEAVILLY!
When all is said and done, I will go to cast my vote in three days - and it will not be a vote for him, simply because I am overexposed to him. I don't know how elections work in the rest of the world, so I will not attempt to even guess how it functions. Maybe some of you can let me know how they work?
Are they putting up posters with faces and names, or are they just putting up signs with the names on it? I have seen some campaigning from the US, where people have put a small sign outside their house, with "name/name 2020" on it, and I have also heard about volunteers who goes from door to door to collect signatures and votes.
But other than that, I have no idea how it works there. Please let me know how it works! That would be great :)
These past few days, I have been unable to get a good nights sleep. I am not sure if the temperature has something to do about it, because I am used to sleep in a warm room. Maybe it's because I am used to having someone next to me, although the last time my friend was here, I woke up several times during the night.
Maybe I have too much to think about? Maybe my head is full of thoughts and ideas. Maybe I am not destined to get more than 5 hours sleep every night.
I am gonna look it up. Because I need my sleep!
Earlier today, I came to the realization, that it would be difficult for me to find a job, so I looked up some information on when it would be too late to join the army, and complete basic training.
Google told me, that the prime age for soldiers in the Danish army is between 18 and 49. Being that I turn 35 in 11 days, I felt that it was time for me to apply. So I did.
The email went out a few hours ago. I am supposed to get an answer soon, though I hope they come back to me fast. I wanted to join the air force, but they were fully booked up. So the army will have to suffice.
There are a number of reasons, why I am joining the military. One of them is that I want to cure my fear of weapons. I am not loving guns at all, and I feel that basic training will help me to respect guns more, and I also want to feel like I belong somewhere. I want to find myself, and test myself to the limit. I feel that the military will make me do just that.
If I am successful, I am joining them in the second half of 2020, so I have some time yet.
So yesterday, I was down in the living room, and my roommate put on a movie. It looked fun, so I asked him what movie it was. "It's the first Kingsman," he told me, so I decided to watch it.
What is it about? The synopsis reads: "A spy organization recruits an unrefined, but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program, just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius"
Taron Egerton plays the street kid, named Eggsy. He is into some bad stuff, with an abusive kingpin-stepfather and a penchant for petty crime. One such petty crime lands him in police custody, where he is being freed and recruited by Galahad, played by Colin Firth. Together with 9 other people, he embarks on a brutal training programme, that will shape him into a secret agent.
One of the people working for Kingsman is named Merlin, who is played by Mark Strong. I liked his character, because he was a welcome sight. He was extremely dry, but kind at the same time.
The tech genius is played, very well I might add, by Samuel L Jackson. His character, whom Samuel L Jackson made have a lisp, was one of the best things about the movie, which had plenty of actors where you go "Eeeey, nice!".
The action in the film is also one of the strong parts. There is one scene in a church that is both chaotic, brutal and funny at the same time, and it sends the entertainment value skyhigh!
A new feature of my movie review is to rate them on the John Wick scale. For those of you, who doesn't know what "The John Wick scale" is, it's primary objective is to rate movies on three criteria:
1: How heavy are the punches? Can you feel them in your face, once the movie is done?
2: How many times do they sacrifice something to the Lord of Fire? (explosions)
3: How many times do they call The Grim Reaper? (Deaths)
Kingsman: The Secret Service gets 7 John Wicks out of 10. Lots of death and fights, but not enough explosions.
Overall, the movie was enjoyable. There is a sequel, which I will look into tomorrow!
I have always been a huge military buff, but I hate the conflicts that the military enter. War is hell, and I remember when I went to the draft, I was placed in the Danish Navy (or whatever you want to call it).
It kind of made me think, back then. "Which country has the most awesome firepower?".. So I went and found out.
Number one is The United States army (naturally). The Pentagon is asking for $718 billion in its fiscal 2020 budget, a $33 billion or about 5 percent increase over what Congress enacted for fiscal 2019.
The $718 billion budget is comprised of a base budget of $544.5 billion, $9.2 billion for emergency border funding and $164 billion for overseas contingency operations funding, aka the war budget.
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/12/the-pentagon-is-asking-for-a-colossal-718-billion-for-its-2020-defense-budget.html
$718 billion on defense. That's a ton of money! Meanwhile, homeless people roam the streets of the US cities, and schools are falling apart. There's also the Flint, Michigan crisis, with the water there. They can't find the money to fix those issues, but sure, have $718 billion for defense.
But what do you really get for that kind of money? Well, part of the money, $8 billion, will go to establishing SPACE FORCE. (ridiculous name, but waddaya gonna do). $72.4 million will go to etablishing the headquarters, while the rest will go to.. Something.. Space ships, probably. I still don't get WHY the world needs a Space Force. Hopefully they will use Space Force for protection against comets and asteroids. Am I just the only one thinking that?
Anyway, the rest of the budget will probably go to new aircraft carriers, (even though the ones they have now will last long into the future), tanks, smaller ships, helicopters, fighter jets, guns, ammo, intelligence and much more.
Sidenote, the USS Nimitz, which is my favourite name EVER for an aircraft carrier, will be replaced in 2022. So three more years for that ship, until she's retired.
Here in Denmark, the budget is $3.8 billion, so it's a RIDICULOUS amount of money,
I just noticed that there is one month and 1 day left until I am going to be a volunteer at a festival. Copenhell, is the name of the festival, and my volunteer gig is the camp site. I have to help set up tents and make sure that the camp looks nice and ready for use.
Once the festival is over, I have to help take down the camp site. For my "troubles", I get a full festival ticket and no work during the festival, so I can see all the bands I want to see! That's gonna be AMAZING!
I had a look at who I have to work with, and I see a few people with some great names! It'll be the perfect time to mingle, and maybe find someone special. It IS a festival, after all.
I look forward to that!
I watched the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest. The place it is held, is in Tel Aviv, Israel.
17 countries competed, but only 10 are through to the final on Saturday. What a freakshow, honestly!
Of the 17 song, only 2 were good. Those two were Serbia and Australia. They were the only ones who sang in tune to the music, while the other remaining 15 were singing either an octave too high or too low.
Countries whose songs were decent: Belgium, Belarus, Czech Republic and Finland.
Countries whose songs were down right awful: Iceland, Portugal, Georgia and San Marino.
The second semifinal is tomorrow, and my friend has ordered me to vote for Sweden. And so I shall! I might even bet on Sweden making it to the top. Denmark is in it as well, but I can't vote for my own country.
All in all, a very, VERY bad piece of entertainment
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