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 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

Canada Slim and the Island of Anywhere

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 14 January 2018 “This could be Rotterdam or anywhere, Liverpool or Rome.  ´Cause Rotterdam is anywhere.  Anywhere alone.  Anywhere alone.” (The Beautiful South, “Rotterdam (or Anywhere)”, Blue is the Colour) There are a couple of songs that I enjoy listening to from this group: “Don´t Marry Her” – purely for its shock value.… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Island of Anywhere

Canada Slim and the Uncertainty Principle

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 10 January 2018 Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I am reminded of this more and more these days as I watch events unfold again and again around the globe that suggest the politicization of society remains an ongoing clear and present danger. Politicization is, at least to… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Uncertainty Principle

Canada Slim and the Lady of Lovere

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 1 January 2018 As another New Year begins the question turns to New Year´s resolutions, to make them or avoid them, and if made what those resolutions should be. Above: New Year´s Eve, Sydney, Australia For example, some of us resolve to become fitter in the following twelve months, but those that know us… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Lady of Lovere

Canada Slim and the Lamp Ladies

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 30 December 2017 In this season of goodwill and gratitude for all the blessings we enjoy, those who are healthy should especially be thankful, for we live in an age when life expectancy is higher because mankind has developed medicines and methods to extend life and restore health. Granted there is still much significant… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Lamp Ladies

Canada Slim and the Last Walk of Robert Walser

Landschlacht, Switzerland, Christmas Day 2017 As my wife works – she is a doctor – I wonder what I am going to do with my days off. Weather is rather grey for walking and I am not particularly motivated to accomplish much housecleaning despite the need to do so. Of course, I could drag out… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Last Walk of Robert Walser