Adam in the Abbey 3: The greater fool

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 17 – 20 September 2016 I have, up till recently, been an avid comic book reader and collector. And, sorry, DC comics, generally I have made mine Marvel. For it has been Marvel that struck upon the notion of making their heroes with feet of clay, rather than just Super aliens or vengeful billionaire Batman… Continue reading Adam in the Abbey 3: The greater fool

Moving heaven and earth 2: The weekend that wasn´t

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 27 August 2016 This was the town of Amatrice before 03:36:32, 24 August 2016. The town had few claims to fame before Wednesday morning: The museum of Nicola Filoteslo, Italian Renaissance painter and sculptor known for his work on frescoes and facades Above: Dormitio Virginis, Capitolini Museum, Roma Elio Augusto Di Carlo (1918 – 1998),… Continue reading Moving heaven and earth 2: The weekend that wasn´t

How to build a railroad

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 22 August 2016 As the few but faithful regular readers of this blog may recall, I am in a marriage wherein my wife is away four days out of seven working in Zürich bringing sick children there the love and professionalism by which she is already known in her particular circles. So, while… Continue reading How to build a railroad

The last ride of Vittorio Scarmaglia

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 20 August 2016 As I sit at my desk, up and about far too early on a Saturday morning, I am trying to recapture the enthusiasm and energy by which I am known both as an ESL teacher and a part-time Starbucks barrista for working later today. I will never claim to be… Continue reading The last ride of Vittorio Scarmaglia

Canada Slim and the Genius of Glarus

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 12 August 2016 In my last blog post, Yesterday’s Children, I wrote of boarding a train to parts unknown in an attempt to restore my composure after attending a memorial service in Benken, Canton St. Gallen. The day then was much like today’s weather: chilly, dark, unpleasant… Glarus, Canton Glarus, 21 March 2016 Glarus, the… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Genius of Glarus

Hongwon style: Canada Slim in Korea

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 9 August 2016 Thirteen months of time remembered sixteen years later…prompted by a recent edition of The Economist and another “old” article found whilst searching for conversation ideas for my Friday classes: First, the articles: “Watching a new film on the big screen could soon be consigned to the dustbin of history. Sean Parker,… Continue reading Hongwon style: Canada Slim in Korea

Canada Slim behind bars 5b: Time served

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 22 July 2016 In the past five posts I spoke of prisons – how prisons inspire literature, prisons as tourist attractions, prisons as tourist accommodation, my work and life in a youth hostel/former jail, and the road that lead to me being imprisoned for a short time in America. In this sixth and… Continue reading Canada Slim behind bars 5b: Time served

Canada Slim behind bars 4: Me and D´Arcy McGee

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 7 July 2016 I have some bad habits. I am essentially a man who prefers leisure to work. As each and every person who has ever existed, exists or will ever exist is defined by how he/she decides to use the 24 hours each day provided us indiscriminately, so it can be said… Continue reading Canada Slim behind bars 4: Me and D´Arcy McGee