Are Rattan End Products Expensive than Plastic?

We talked about Rattan End Products in the USA Market at previous posting:

- Rattan End Products Sold in the USA Market | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Another end product of rattan

Compared to plastic, sure, price of rattan end product is expensive. Just for an example:

- small plastic baskets cost less than US$1

- whereas rattan material (with almost the same size and shape) could reach more than US$ 15.

Fig 02- Pride of Barbados or Mexican lantana

Fig 03- Rattan dining patio set sold by Walmart

People said that some of the reasons why rattan end products quite expensive than other materials:

- strong and durable

- workmanship standard

- quality

If we look after and avoid from outdoor elements (such as rain or wet), rattan furniture may last from 5 years to 10 years.

However, in many cases, rattan furniture just survive around 5 years.

Do you have rattan end products at your home?

# Previous postings:

- Local Jelly at the Farmer Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 15 | Tanza Erlambang

- Millions are Bitten by Snakes Every Year – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Understanding Diseases in Human Body through Knockout Genes – Part 1 |

- America is Top Importer of Ornamental Fish – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang

Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 2

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Image 1- Matti decided to buy than take a free sample

(credit to Karoliina Korhonen).

The comic got hit in China, especially to millennial generations, because they “dream” of privacy as one of reasons.

Finland has huge space compare to crowd cities in China. However, Matti, male Finnish in the cartoon respects:

- peace

- quiet

- personal space

Young Chinese who was born as a kid under China’s single child policy identified themselves as Finnish nightmare.

Image 2- Flowers in the garden

Image 3- A street in the morning

Image 4- A corner of the park

They believe that their characters similar to Matti in many terms, some of them are:

- avoids talking to others

- live alone happily

- hide from neighbors

- inconvenient to work in pairs

- do not like to be single out

- a kind of social phobia.

Do you know about Finnish Nightmare? What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Are there Non Royal Statues Surrounding the Pyramid? - Art 1

- Wild Berries Grow Well in Our Backyard - Food Variety 13

- Could Consume Mushroom Reduce Cancer Risk?

- Have You Tried Jalapeno Cheese Poppers? - Food Variety 14

Rattan End Products Sold in the USA Market

We saw plenty of rattan end products sold in the supermarkets at our city, Baton Rouge, LA recently.

Fig 01- End product of rattan

As you might know that rattan is like a bamboo, but solid material. Its can be twisted or model for many purposes.

After certain processing, rattan canes which is more durable and strength be used as material in a wicker weave.

Rattan plant is a vine like plant which grow well in tropical forests. There are about 600 species of rattan worldwide.

South East Asian countries are well known as rattan producers and play an important role in global trade.

Fig 02- Rattan table lamp, sold in Walmart

Fig 03- Rattan basket

Those South East countries include:

- Indonesia

- Philippine

- Myanmar

- Vietnam

- Malaysia.

The global trade of rattan and bamboo is estimated US$ 60 billion per year. The trade is between producers in South East Asia, and mainly to buyers in Europe.

Quite surprising to find plenty of rattan products in the USA Markets nowdays.

# Previous postings:

- Was there Virus Outbreak before Covid 19? - Virus 34

- The Origin of Cup Cake – Food Variety 8

- Virulence of Covid 19 Variants in Japan – Virus 35

- Why is Cat Vomiting Frequently? - Gardening and Hobby 18

Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 1

When I was a student in Denmark in 1990’s, sure, I met students or people from other Scandinavian, and even from many foreign countries. No less than 20 countries as I can remember.

Fig 01- Sunlight, just for illustration

As you know the Scandinavian consist of following countries:

- Denmark
- Finland
- Sweden
- Norway
- Iceland

I did not notice “awkward behavior” called as “Finnish Nightmare.” The socially awkward was depicted in a webcomic by Karoliina Korhonen.

Fig 02- Polar bear, illustration only

Fig 03- Matti, the comic figure, feels awkward to sit to next other people

(credit to Karoliina Korhonen)

The webcomic was translated in Asian (far eastern) countries:

- China
- Japanese
- Korea (South Korea off course)

In Japan, the book got Gaiman award in 2017. The award is designed to make Japanese aware of the best comic outside Japan.

The award was given first time in 2011 and sponsored by 3 institutions in Japan: Meiji University, Kyoto International Mangga Museum and Kitayushu Museum.

# To be continued to part 2

## Previous postings:

- Late Harvest of Satsuma Orange in the Yard - Food Variety 7
- Why Canadian Geese Honking Mournfully? - Gardening and Hobby 16
- What are Ingredients in the Biontech-Pfizer Vaccine? – Virus 33
- Mini Sago Palm at the Corner - Gardening and Hobby 17

Is Suicide Based on Individual Decision Only?

From previous posting (Increasing of Suicide Rate in America | Tanza Erlambang Update), then we may have a question that is whether suicide based on individual decision only?

Fig 01- Links of suicide (Source from slideshare)

The answer to this question could be found in the book written by McIntyre (2011. p.29-33: The Practical Skeptic: Core Concepts in Sociology 5th edition).

The author described about suicide from sociology perspective. Suicide is not only triggered by individual decision, but also by lack of social integration or social solidarity.

Fig 02- Elderberry tree

In case of married couple that increasing of divorce rate could increase social isolation or feel lonely, thus unmarried persons more likely to die due to suicide. 

Fig 03- Rainbow in the evening

Then, in case of teenage girl’s suicide, the cause could be many factors or very complex.

Fig 04- Summer is coming

As said by Cornwell (2017: Suicide rate in teen girls reaches 40-year high) that some reasons for girls to suicide are over access to social media and an ongoing lack of mental-health resources.

It is need for parents, educators, communities, and relevant policy makers to address the stigma of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Sadly, suicide is immediate or eventual death accomplished by the victims themselves.

The suicide is at alarming rate in the USA. People with social impaired is the most vulnerable to commit suicide.

# Previous postings:

- Are Olive Fruits Good for Heart? - Heart 10

- Black Market of a Fake Covid 19 Test Result – Virus 30

- Special Mailboxes of Letters to Santa in Neighborhood

- Is AstraZeneca Covid 19 Vaccine Suitable for Poor Countries? - Virus 31

Social Range in the Bird of Guinean Cock of the Rock

You may read the bird called Guianan cock of the Rock at previous post (Part 1):

- Strange Looking Bird Called Guianan Cock of the Rock – Part 1

Fig 01- Male of Andean Cock of the Rock (credit to eBird)

Guinean birds have social rank, the higher rank males are favored by females for mating.

Quite unique that higher rank males have learners (apprentices) from lower rank and younger males.

This is a kind of process to get opportunity to find mates.

Females usually have two eggs for one breeding season. The eggs need around 28 days for incubation.

Fig 02- Female of Andean Cock of the Rock (credit to Flickr)

Fig 03- Chinese tallow tree, illustration

What are source food of this bird? Some are:

- fruits include berries

- insects

- small reptiles.

Luckily, this bird is not considered as endangered species. It is mean that population is stable.

Hope, there is no illegal or legal huntings, hence the population in nature will consistent in the long term.

Have you seen this bird in nature or in the zoo at your places or countries?

# Previous postings:

- Chemothesis - What a Kind of Covid 19 symptom? - Virus 26

- Is Spanish Moss Coming from Spain? – Gardening and Hobby 11

- Vaccine Efficacy Rate Increases from 90% to 94.5% - Virus 27

- Bonsai Trees Show in the City Garden – Gardening and Hobby 12

Increasing of Suicide Rate in America

It is surprisingly that suicide rate is increasing in recent years and a 30-year high in the USA.

Fig 01- Just for illustration (credit to Harvard Health)

In term of number, the suicide is 29,199 persons in 1999, and almost double (42,773 people) in 2014. Trending is continue until recently.

It is equal to 13 people in 100 thousand population. As reported by Tavernise (2016: U.S. Suicide Rate Surges to a 30-Year High. The New York Times) that increasing of suicide rate occurs in almost:

- all age groups (25 to 64 years old)

- racial (ethnic group)

- and sexes (both male and female).

Fig 02- Blooming in the spring

Quite surprising that suicide rate among the teenage girls (10 to 14 years old) had been three time higher in 2014 than 1999.

Fig 03- Crowd people, illustration only

Other facts that marriage rate is declining, but divorce rate is increasing. Especially for lower education people. It is believed that divorce may lead to suicide.

Fig 04 – Hibiscus in blooming

Many factors that may cause suicide among others are:

- less education (lower than high school)

- less economic well-being

- hopelessness

- distress due to job lost and financial trouble

Health problems may lead to suicide as well. Several of these problems may include:

- drug overdoses and alcohol poisoning

- liver diseases

- or in-curable chronic diseases.

# Previous postings:

- Are Yellow Elder Blooming in the Fall? - Gardening and hobby 6

- The Helicopter in the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV)

- My Neighbor Small “Paradise” at Backyard – Gardening and Hobby 7

When Will We Have an Emperor in the Mars? - Part 2

You may read previous post (Part 1):

- When Will We Have an Emperor in the Mars? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- One of Elon Musk tweets

Elon Musk (the founder, chief designer and CEO) of Spacex, the man who has a dream to be an emperor of red planet in his tweet since several years ago and again and again recently.

Spacex is a private company which has one of its missions to send human on the planet (Mars).

The ambitious schedule that the first human landing in 2016. Quicker than well known agency, NASA proposed.

Fig 02- A walking area, illustration

Fig 03- White azalea flowers

Fig 04- SpaceXStarship (credit to The Daily Express)

In fact, Elon Musk’s Spacex unsuccessful to test its “Straship prototype” several times. The recent failed was last March, 2021.

Next flight tests will be coming soon (next couple months) with new Straship prototype, called as SN 20.

However, Starship is designed to bring crews into Mars. Highly unlikely by 2026, four years from now.

Efforts is continued, and history will prove whether Elon Musk will be emperor or just his dream.

We wait and see!

# Previous postings:

- Measuring Oxygen Level in the Blood - Virus 19

- Can Fish in the Tank Improve Your Health? - Gardening and hobby 3

- Roses in the Late Summer - Gardening and hobby 4

- Can Dogs Detect Infected Patients with Covid 19? – Virus 20