Canada Slim and the Visionary

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 7 October 2018 “I caution you. Expect much!” (Hugo Gernsback, Electrical Experimenter, January 1919) Above: Hugo Gernsback (1884 – 1967)   In my apartment we have many things. These things seem so commonplace that we have taken this electrical world in which we live in for granted. Amongst the flotsam and jetsam and… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Visionary

Canada Slim and the Body Snatchers

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 4 September 2018 I should be dead. In fact, for at least a quarter of a century. Back in Canada, I tried to chop a log. The axe bounced off the log and sliced into my foot. A mile in the bush limp, a drive home, a quick dash to the local hospital… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Body Snatchers

Canada Slim and the Magnificent Homeland

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 26 August 2018 There is something about the politics of a number of nations today (the United States, North Korea, the Philippines, Venezuela) that reminds me again and again of the late Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Above: Il Duce Benito Mussolini (1883 – 1945) I have written about Mussolini before – his… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Magnificent Homeland

Canada Slim and the Museum of Innocence

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 19 August 2018 It has been ages since I have written about Turkey, but those who know me are aware that there are both many things I adore about this bridge between Asia and Europe and many things I abhor. Of the little exploration I have done in this great republic (the Turquoise… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Museum of Innocence

Canada Slim and the Family of Mann

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 12 August 2018 Perhaps I should have been recovering from yesterday’s Street Parade in Zürich, at present the most attended techno-parade in the world. Officially it is a demonstration for freedom, love and tolerance attended by up to one million people. In reality it has all the character of a popular festival, despite… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Family of Mann

Canada Slim and the Battlefield Brotherhood

Landschlacht, Switzerland, Sunday, 8 July 2018 Sometimes it is difficult not to believe in fate. It strikes me as curious how my life, without planning it at times, seems to lend my writing its directions. My wife and I live only a stone´s throw away from Arenenberg (a chateau famous for being the final domicile… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Battlefield Brotherhood

Canada Slim and the Breviary of Bartholomew

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 30 June 2018 “Writing a blog about everything that happens to you will honestly help here.” (Therapist) “Nothing happens to me.”(John Watson, MD) (“A Study in Pink“, Sherlock) Two months ago (30 April) I began this post. Four days later I was involved in an accident resulting in both arms broken. After 3… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Breviary of Bartholomew

Canada Slim and the Lakeside Pilgrimage

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 24 April 2018 For quite some time in this, what has become my travel blog, I have written about my adventures and discoveries retracing the paths and the life story of Swiss reformer Huldrych Zwengli (between accounts of travels in London, Italy and Serbia). Above: Huldrych Zwingli (1484 – 1531) Using Marcel and… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Lakeside Pilgrimage

Canada Slim and the Land of Confusion

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 12 April 2018 Of the problems that plague me, one of the biggest is persistence: The ability to keep on keeping on. I have to constantly remind and encourage myself that “a professional writer is simply an amateur who didn´t quit”. (Richard Bachman) With my two blogs – this one and Building Everest… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Land of Confusion

Canada Slim and the Privileged Place

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 26 January 2018 This morning I feel somewhat like Punxsawtawney Phil, the groundhog of the film Groundhog Day, chattering away furiously, while Bill Murray holds me firmly as he drives a car over a cliff sardonically telling me: Don´t drive angry. Perhaps this might be extended to encompass writing as well. Don´t write… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Privileged Place