Remember Sealand, the ‘island’ off the south east coast of England that has recently been put up for sale? Well, as hard as it might be to believe, last week it looked like they might actually have attracted a potential buyer. That was until His Royal Highness, Prince Michael of Sealand, decreed from his royal bedsit that the potential buyer would be unwelcome on his countries soil concrete.
The would be buyer was the worlds largest bittorrent tracker, The Pirate Bay. For those of you who don’t know what Bit Torrent is, it’s a file sharing service where people often share movies and popular TV shows like ‘Lost’ and ‘Hero’s.’ Of course swapping copyright content is illegal across much of the internet using world so such a service is always under intense heat from lawyers charged with shutting it down.
The Pirate Bay are based in Sweden where the local law allows such a service to continue without hinderance. Indeed, with more than just a little swagger The Pirate Bay write on their website “Any complaints from copyright and/or lobby organizations will be ridiculed and published at the site.”
News emerged last week that the pirates wanted to set up home on the open sea where surely all pirates are most at home. The group created a special website at buysealand.com to increase the profile of their plans and of course to raise enough funds to make an offer to the royal family of Sealand who are currently looking for offers in the region of a billion dollars (750 million Euro’s) for use of their rusting lonely ‘principality.’
At the time of writing this the group had raised $18,478. So assuming interest in buying Sealand doesn’t tail off they’ll be in a position to meet the asking price for the ‘island’ in just under 5000 years.
However, despite the enthusiastic appeal, the pirates have now been told that the ‘island’ won’t be sold to them. His Royal Highness, Prince Mike of Sealand said on Canadian television that he wouldn’t sell to the pirates from Sweden.
“It’s theft of proprietary rights, it doesn’t suit us at all. In fact, I’ve written a book and Hollywood is making a movie out of it, so it would go right against the grain to go into the file-sharing thing.” he said.
The Swedish pirates have not updated their blog since the Prince ‘shivered their timbers’ and made his statement. But they claim that any money raised will simply go toward buying another island somewhere else.
LAS VEGAS OF THE NORTH SEA
Sealand may not become a safe haven for pirates of the high seas, but there is growing speculation that it might instead become the Las Vegas of the North Sea. Rumors are abound that an online gambling firm is exploring the possibility of moving its operations to Sealand to escape the United States ridiculous hard line against online gambling.
Eric Williamson, head of international operations for BetCRIS, admitted in an interview with the New York Post that the idea “sounds crazy.” But he claimed it was simply a response to the U.S. government’s efforts to stop overseas gaming companies pitching their services to U.S. customers online. Buying Sealand means the company could potentially write it’s own laws and therefore extradition would be impossible claimed Williamson.
However the claim that Sealand is a autonomous state is still very much in question despite the claims of Prince Roy who founded the so called ‘micronation’ in 1967.
“That is complete nonsense.” Says Professor Robin Churchill, a lecturer in constitutional and international law at Dundee University. “It is within 12 miles of the coast of Britain and in 1987 the UK extended its territorial waters to 12 miles. That means that UK law applies, including the law of copyright, which could be extended to Sealand without any legal problems whatsoever,” he said.
“For it to be a state a place needs to have a proper stable population, a functioning government and needs to be recognised by other states and no existing other state recognises Sealand.”
For now the negotiations will continue, but I find myself hoping that the suggestions of some Pirate Bay supporters might come to fruition. “If he wont sell to us then we shall take it by force.” Wrote one would be pirate, while another exclaimed “They should have taken the money. Looks like we’re going to have to take it by force. Land ‘hoy!” If nothing else such a twist to the tale would help Prince Roy’s as yet unpublished book make it to the silver screen.
I had a great Birthday! As I wrote last week, I always enjoy my birthday. The opportunity to get a few of my friends and family together is just too good to miss. With the Christmas anticlimax effect still in effect it would seem that my friends like having this date on their calendars too.
A few people couldn’t make it this year but twelve of my friends and family joined me for a meal at a place not far from where I live. The venue made the lofty claim of being a country club, The Grange maybe many things, but ‘country club’ it is not. As the night draws on the bar and downstairs dance club fills up with what always looks like a gathering of divorcees hell bent on squeezing into the clothes they wore when they were thin enough to get away with something like that. Nonetheless though we all had a great time because we were able to sit around a large table in a private dining room and enjoy the good company.
As I wrote before, my birthday is now one of the highlights of the year for me. I just love being able to get a bunch of people I love to be with around a big table, it’s great! As usual we set off a few rockets before we went to the restaurant, a couple of the neighbors peeked to see what on earth was happening, but any would be complainers probably beat a retreat when they realised that they were horribly out-numbered.
I had a great time as did everyone else by all accounts. As I previously wrote… I love my birthday!
It’s my birthday, and despite the fact that I am undeniably old enough to be far more laid back about such things, I am always excited about my birthday!
Of course, back when I was a kid I still had to go to school on my birthday. But ever since I’ve been working I have never once worked on my birthday. To me it is a holiday and always will be.
As a kid I used to have a little party of some description. My friends would come over and we would play games, eat cake, and generally get completely over-excited. In my late teenage years alchol (and girls) got introduced to the celebrations and this usually led to those wonderfully blurred nights where January’s cold bite was unable to get it’s teeth into me, if only just for one night.
These days I still throw a party, but they no longer involve lying half naked in the snow laughing at how long it has taken to walk only a short distance from the pub. Instead various friends come over to my place where we all sit around and generally behave like grown ups, sipping our drinks and enjoying a conversation instead of gulping back the booze as if we were living in the days of prohibition while at the same time shouting over the hidious din of music being blasted out of a cheap Japanese hifi. Just before making our way out to a restaurant I set off a bunch of fireworks in the yard to the usual “ooohs” and “aahhs” that always accompany fireworks.
The usual party isn’t tonight though. Like the Queen I have two birthday’s. I celebrate the day as you might expect, then the party usually follows the following weekend. So this Saturday a group of us will be observing the party traditions with fireworks, and a meal at a country club not far from here. See, I told you, I love my birthday, it’s still totally exciting to me!
Anyway, as a little fun for my birthday I thought I’d share this game with you. Some of you might remember an old game from the 80’s called ‘Simon.’ The idea of the game is that you mimick the sound sequence of the ‘Simon‘ by pressing the sound buttons. If you’ve never played this before then here’s your chance! Have fun!
Do you have a billion dollars burning a hole in your pocket? Are all those zeros on your bank balance becoming a confusing nuisance? If so then the perfect little ‘get-away’ could be yours for just a little less that a cool crisp one billion American dollars! Sealand, the worlds smallest island, is for sale and it could be yours today!
To some the man-made ‘island’ of Sealand just off the blustery shores of south east England might seem like a hellish place devoid of charm, character, or indeed any redeeming qualities what-so-ever. But to the ‘Royal Family’ of this rusting wartime anti-aircraft platform spanning just 10,000 square ft, Sealand is a regal place worthy of honor and international recognition as a Principality, governed and answerable only to itself.
Owned by 85 year old Prince Roy and Princess Joan, Sealand has it’s own flag, and even it’s own national anthem composed by a bloke from London called Basil (though it can’t be sung as nobody bothered to writing any words for it).
Prince Roy and Princess Joan don’t actually live on the ‘island’ anymore, and due to failing health the day to day running of the Principality was handed down to their son, Prince Michael, who has battled to bring business to the Island. However Prince Michael has recently taken the unusual step of putting the Island up for sale (or to be more correct, for “transfer” – the new owner would have to abide by some fairly strict conditions of sale).
A back street real estate firm in Spain called Inmonaranja, has set the asking price at a lofty €750,000,000 ($975,562,500). It’s not entirely clear what the Spanish drink but whatever it is they might well be advised to slow down a little. Dinosaurs will return to earth and start a bluegrass band long before a crumbling concrete tomb situated in one of the most awful places in the world will ever sell for anything like the figure the Spanish back street boys are asking for.
In 2006 much of the Sealand infrastructure was heavily damaged or destroyed in a fire. Remembering this while negotiating with Prince Michael of Sealand may give the buyer a alight edge.
As with all major purchases though, looking around at alternatives is a must. For example, for $930,562,500 less than the price of Sealand you might consider buying the tropical Hans Lollik islands (pictured above). Part of the US Virgin Island and described as being “one of the most beautiful places on earth,” the Hans Lollik islands span over 500 acres and include a “breathtaking unspoiled crescent coconut beach, stunning vistas and cliffs, palm forests and crystal-clear waters.” Not bad for just $45 million dollars.
If its the brisk weather of Sealand that attracts you, then maybe you should take a look at the Canadian Kowichan Lake Island (below) on Lake Cowichan which is located on southern Vancouver Island, in British Columbia. It comes complete with a spacious architecturally designed cabin style home which includes all the comforts of home, and at just $848,469 it will save you $974,714,031 when compared to Sealand.
However, the buying advise for those who really have their hearts set on their dream home upon the metal platform of a deserted war relic in the choppy cold waters of the North Sea, is to wait a while. The price may very well be reduced in time. You might be able to get it for as little as half a billion dollars if you’re lucky.
You may have missed a great story from New York City this past week about how a man from Harlem jumped into the path of an oncoming subway train to save the life of a stranger who had fallen from the platform onto the tracks as a train was approaching.
50-year-old construction worker and U.S. Navy veteran, Wesley Autrey, was waiting with his two daughters, Syshe, 4, and Shuqui, 6, for a subway train at 137th Street and Broadway in Manhattan just before 1pm on Tuesday. The day had, by all accounts, been like any other. Nothing had thus far set this day aside from any other in Mr Autrey’s day to day life. But that was about to change.
Nearby Cameron Hollopeter, 20, collapsed on the platform suffering some kind of seizure. Mr Autrey and two women went to the aid of Hollopeter and made sure he didn’t choke. It was something which probably any of us would have done if we were there. And with the passing of the seizure the so passed the brief moments of drama.
However, as the recovering Mr Hollopeter stood to his feet he began to feel uneasy as the seizure began to return. He stumbled to the edge of the platform and then in the kind of horrific moment any subway traveler must fear, Hollopeter fell from the platform onto the tracks below just as the headlights of the No. 1 train appeared in the tunnel.
At that moment Mr Autrey made a split second decision to jump onto the tracks and try to pick up the collapsed student to lift him to safety. Autrey, who appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman to talk about the ordeal, said that as the train was coming he thought to himself. “Fool, you got to go in there an help him.”
Mr Autrey tried in vain about three times to lift Mr Hollopeter back to safety but due to the fact Mr Hollopeters arms and legs were flailing around in seizure, and because he was unable to get a good grip, he quickly realised there was no way he would be able to lift him back onto the platform before the train struck them both.
Thinking quickly as the subway train rapidly approached the pair with brakes screeching and horn sounding, Mr Autrey dragged Mr Hollopeter into the gutter between the track and lay on him to stop his flaying limbs from being struck by the train which seconds later rattled over the pair to the horror of the witnesses on the platform, among whom were Mr Autrey’s two daughters.
Five cars rolled over the two men before the train came to a complete stop. Shocked subway travelers, sure the men must both be gravely injured, were then stunned to hear Mr Autrey shout from beneath the train. “We’re O.K. down here, but I’ve got two daughters up there. Let them know their father’s O.K.”
Both men were unharmed in the dramatic incident, though it had been a desperately close call. Autrey’s blue playboy hat bore the marks of grease from the underside of the subway train.
Two days later, amid furious press interest, the 50 year old construction worker from Harlem met with Mayor Michael Bloomberg at New York City Hall to be awarded the Bronze Medallion, the cities highest accolade. Autrey was also given free rides on the subway for a year, an all-expense-paid trip to Disney World for his family, an offer from a TV reality show to make-over his Harlem apartment, $5,000 and future scholarships for his daughters to the teen program of The New York Film Academy where Hollopeter, the man he saved, is studying production, as well as $10,000 from billionaire New Yorker Donald Trump. Even Playboy magazine awarded Mr Autrey with a years subscription to their magazine as well as a new knitted hat to replace the one he was wearing at the time of the dramatic rescue.
But Autrey remains humble, insisting that he merely did what anyone should do when they see someone in need of help. “I’m not looking at this like I’m the hero,” He said, “What I did was something that any and every New Yorker should do, you know what I’m saying? You see somebody in distress, do the right thing. You know? Help out.”
The would be buyer was the worlds largest bittorrent tracker, The Pirate Bay. For those of you who don’t know what Bit Torrent is, it’s a file sharing service where people often share movies and popular TV shows like ‘Lost’ and ‘Hero’s.’ Of course swapping copyright content is illegal across much of the internet using world so such a service is always under intense heat from lawyers charged with shutting it down.
However, despite the enthusiastic appeal, the pirates have now been told that the ‘island’ won’t be sold to them. His Royal Highness, Prince Mike of Sealand said on Canadian television that he wouldn’t sell to the pirates from Sweden.
As a kid I used to have a little party of some description. My friends would come over and we would play games, eat cake, and generally get completely over-excited. In my late teenage years alchol (and girls) got introduced to the celebrations and this usually led to those wonderfully blurred nights where January’s cold bite was unable to get it’s teeth into me, if only just for one night.
Nearby Cameron Hollopeter, 20, collapsed on the platform suffering some kind of seizure. Mr Autrey and two women went to the aid of Hollopeter and made sure he didn’t choke. It was something which probably any of us would have done if we were there. And with the passing of the seizure the so passed the brief moments of drama.
Five cars rolled over the two men before the train came to a complete stop. Shocked subway travelers, sure the men must both be gravely injured, were then stunned to hear Mr Autrey shout from beneath the train. “We’re O.K. down here, but I’ve got two daughters up there. Let them know their father’s O.K.”
