A deliberately quiet lazy day recharging my batteries both mental as well as physical, distracting myself with Alpha Centuri, a video game with no redeeming virtue whatsoever, and watching DVDs (In the Name of the King/Dungeon Siege, Dune and Exodus: Gods and Kings). The overcast morning began a lethargy that lasted well into a beautiful… Continue reading The curious incident of the blog in the night-time
Month: June 2015
USA: Unlimited sadness allowed
I am just one voice. A Canadian resident in Switzerland with unimpressive credentials and thus uninspiring credibility. I am far removed from the problems in America and thus unlikely to restrain America from its determination to self-destruct, a determination that is as old as the history of the United States itself. The news out of… Continue reading USA: Unlimited sadness allowed
No fool like an old fool
Outside our apartment door, hanging on the mantle beside at eye level, is a magnet that reads: “A lovely lady and a grumpy old man live here”. As I type these words, I am reminded of an old TV series I watched as a youth growing up in the isolated village of St. Philippe d’Argenteuil.… Continue reading No fool like an old fool
Underdog University
“There is only one road to human greatness: through the school of hard knocks.” Albert Einstein There are moments that show me how very different at times my way of thinking seems to be from the general Swiss philosophy of looking at life. Here in Switzerland documents rule. One cannot do anything without the accompanying… Continue reading Underdog University
Death and despair defeated
The past month has been good for me in that it has awakened long dormant feelings and ambitions that I am only now starting to act upon. Part of this has, of course, been connected with my domestic situation at home, which, after the mother of all discussions and arguments, seems, for the first time… Continue reading Death and despair defeated
The four freedoms
On 6 January 1941, in his State of the Union address, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed four fundamental freedoms that people everywhere in the world ought to enjoy: 1. Freedom of speech and expression 2. Freedom of worship 3. Freedom from want 4. Freedom from fear Is Switzerland enjoying these freedoms? The Swiss media… Continue reading The four freedoms
The desire for an Amish paradise
I like the Amish. The Amish are the Christian sect that separated from the Mennonites in 17th century Europe and began emigrating to North America in search of religious freedom in the 18th century. Now living exclusively in Canada and the United States, the Amish are known for their plain attire and simple living, the… Continue reading The desire for an Amish paradise
Down and out across Switzerland
Zürich Hauptbahnhof, yesterday. Clean-shaven, showered, red backpack from Canada on one shoulder, pulling a new suitcase along on its smoothly running wheels and extendable handle, clean white short sleeved shirt, blue jeans, black leather shoes. Not your image of a homeless man? I approached the station´s Bahnhofshilfe (train station assistance) office and inquired if the lady… Continue reading Down and out across Switzerland
Victims of the Machine
I always enjoy my visits to Freiburg im Breisgau, because it means being reunited with old friends: Gregg: solid, reliable, practical Rolf: deep thinker under a devil-may-care exterior Reggie: compassionate, wise, honest Mark: the only man to be confused with Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead both in looks and attitude Jason: wild Peter Pan… Continue reading Victims of the Machine
Sign of the times
Arrived back home in Switzerland late last night, left for Freiburg im Breisgau at 0500 this morning. Am fighting fatigue like a woolen blanket over my head in the desert. To save a spot of cash I am in the Black Forest Backpackers Hostel for the next two nights. In the stairwell between reception and… Continue reading Sign of the times