Winterthur, Switzerland: 26 January 2016 Generally speaking I am not a fan of natural museums, for they often seem to me to be: well, unnatural. “On the Mounted Animal Nature Trail, you’ll be sure to see All Mother Nature’s favourite pets, all sitting rigidly. They’re never hungry any more, their last meal left them stuffed.… Continue reading The future: Older dog, newer tricks
Category: Literature
Utopia unrealised
You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope some day you’ll join us And the world will be as one. Imagine no possessions. I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people sharing all the world. (John Lennon, “Imagine”)… Continue reading Utopia unrealised
Konstanz: City of Shattered Dreams?
In the two years just passed and in the two years that follow, multitudes of people around the globe commemorate the events of World War 1 (1914 – 1918) that involved 70 million soldiers – 9 million of them killed in action, 7 million civilian casualities, and a conflict that lasted 4 years, 3 months and… Continue reading Konstanz: City of Shattered Dreams?
Where I am
“Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot Wouldn’t you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name And they’re always glad you came You wanna be where you can see our troubles are… Continue reading Where I am
Sick daze
Landschlacht, 22 January 2016 Being married to a German doctor has its advantages and its disadvantages. Because Europeans and their higher educational standards are very demanding and extensive, one can visit a physician in Germany and Switzerland in complete confidence that they probably know what they are talking about should you ever have occasion to need… Continue reading Sick daze
The artistic criminal
Zürich, 30 December 2015: We have all seen them. Scribblings, scratchings, stencils, murals up, down, over and under in public places. Simple messages to elaborate street-long paintings. This is nothing new under the sun. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans knew them. Today, spray paint and markers and what has been wrought from them are part and parcel of… Continue reading The artistic criminal
The Haa Bay and Needle Park
Zürich, 30 December 2015 You have arrived at “the Haa Bay” as the locals call it: Zürich´s Main Station or Hauptbahnhof. You should be impressed. There are 3,000 trains, carrying around 350,000 passengers, arriving and departing daily on 30 tracks. The station is one of Switzerland´s oldest. The first station on this site was opened in 1847 by… Continue reading The Haa Bay and Needle Park
Remembering Marilyn / Plastered with Paris
Vaduz, Liechtenstein: 3 January 2016 Ute (my wife) and I visit the Liechtenstein National Museum to see a special exhibit on the life and times of American movie star, model and singer Marilyn Monroe, entitled “The stength behind the legend”. “Famous for playing “dumb blonde” characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of… Continue reading Remembering Marilyn / Plastered with Paris
Walkin´in the rain
Amriswil, 7 January 2016 “Your body is drip-dry. You are not made of sugar and you won’t melt in the rain. Most of us had concerned mothers who wouldn’t let us step outside without being swathed in all manner of rain gear and thought we would surely die if we got wet. You won’t. Trust… Continue reading Walkin´in the rain
On time
Zürich, 29 December 2015: “What is time? If no one asks me, I know. But if I wanted to explain it to one who asks me… I plainly do not know.” (Augustine, The Confessions) “On 21 June 1995, the longest day of that year, a unique clock was set in motion in the shop of… Continue reading On time