18.7.2010 von admin.

…. or might we have to challenge the status quo?

I had a peculiar incident the other day, walking through one of my favorite places. I might want to add that this special place is a shoe-shop just close to my flat in Vienna. I was standing next to a woman in her mid thirties. She had a pair of pink runners in her hand and was talking to someone…or something… with her eyes closed. I did’t think further of it, but when I overheard her debating with this invisible friend of hers, if she should buy the shoes or not and somethings down the line of  - that the shoes would most definitely be worn and not just hanging around the closet. This conversation, or rather monologue went on for ages, but I stood put as I was slightly intrigued about the outcome and to be honest, wanted to butt right in and say; “for the love of God, buy them and stop fidgeting about!” There is no such thing as a bad buy. Not when it comes down to shoes anyway…. Even if you never wear them - they will still look good every time you open those closet doors!  Haven’t made up my mind yet why anybody would want bright pink runners though, but she seemed fond of them, so I didn’t want to challenge her taste at this sensitive moment.  If I would have this conversation every time I am in a shoe shop the opening hours might need to be extended. Not due to the long conversations I might have, but rather the number of shoes that needed to be debated…

Next weekend - the Fete Blanche will be THE event around Wörthersee and not only people dress all in white, but the whole area turns into a big white party strip. The good thing is that you at least see people when driving during night time. With Fete Noir - it’s a different story…

It cooled off a bit today, even though the rain we had, was not much to mention and we will reach the 35°C again within the next days. My “spoiltrotten” dog has enjoyed the coolness of the flat, turned my bed into his war zone and stretches out, leaving 10% to my disposal… not that I have spent much in it the last nights. It’s been to hot and some many other things I have been fiddling about with. You probably all know how it feels like when trying to nick some of those hours of sleep onto the day due to that the hours you are awake aren’t enough for all the things you want to finalize.

Oh, and I saw our little crocodile the other day again. (Oh well, it’s not really a crocodile.. ) We actually have three… was concerned I had locked them up underneath the freshly laid stones… one survived at least and she is the one which is not marked from our handy work around the house. One of them has no tail and the other one some white paint on her backside - but they have been here for years, so I guess we have made up for some minor accidents…

There will always be a different opinion - only ask for it if you can handle it.

So long - stay safe

/S

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4.7.2010 von admin.

….. with 3,8km swimming, 180km on bike and finishing off with 42,195km..kicked off this morning at 7 am in Klagenfurt.

I just say RESPECT, I get exhausted by just watching it from a distance..

We are keeping our fingers crossed for Joe and Alex entering the competition today - may they be as successful as the German National Team was yesterday!

I believe that no matter if Germany reaches the final or not - they have clearly showed the world what football is all about and that they stand strong as a united team no matter challenge or success.

United are also my stone path and I since a couple of weeks back… the stones have been put pack, now in a more straight line, and yesterday the steps had do be re-cemented, as the ants had made their way through the previous cement, building a nice little cosy house underneath the stones. (don’t ask where they have gone now…the ants I mean..)  Next weekend moulding is on the agenda, some more cement to hold it in its place and then project should be completed…for now…

24°C in the lake  - 35°C outside… no matter what weather - there is always something to complain about. I am generally happy about the weather - however the ramping up from cold to warm could be more stable, enabling us to adjust…  The more fascinating thing is that every year in April - the newspapers and people talk about that:

-” Oh this year the spring is late, it will be an awful summer, worse than last year… ” and every year it’s the same procedure when summer arrives it seems that when the temperatures reach 30°, we kind of get surprised, forget all about what was said a couple of month back repeat this process the following year again…

So long  - stay safe on those bikes and wear a helmet..

/S

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20.6.2010 von admin.

…got her Prince of the people..

The Swedish television streamed the Swedish royal wedding  throughout yesterday. This event in this half Swedish household was very carefully planned into every detail, making sure guests got breakfast, dog had his food, walk and that the television was in reach of any activity which might occur within these 12 hours. They got each-other in the end, both said yes and a new milestone for the Swedish royal family is reached.

 Successful day also for the football teams of Netherlands and Denmark in yesterdays games. I was occupied watching the wedding so I couldn’t judge if the games were worth while watching and still rather depressed when thinking of the German and English results from the other day. I am sure me and the two nations involved had hoped for different results, but we can only underline the importance to turn that ship in the right direction for the next game - else we might need to deport them… for good.

So long - stay with us

/S

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13.6.2010 von admin.

…and a really bad day for Green..

Poor bastard!, can be a mild expression referring Robert Greens fantastic contribution to the 1:1 score yesterday against the US. However, it makes us all ignore the fact that England’s other 10 players being totally incapable of adding any value throughout the game. Depressing - but I guess they all had a really bad day. Even though the odds of 11 players having the same bad day is rather small - but the team of England beat the record and we can only hope that yesterday is limited to this only one.

For the two tiles on the front porch which are slightly moving an interim solution called silicon came to rescue. I still believe that if it can’t be fixed with duct tape, silicon or glue it’s not worth repairing and considered broken. Picture to proof my point…

Dog had his 1st summer bath in the bath tub and I can tell you that he appreciates it as much as I appreciate ironing. I am still trying ways of outsourcing this activity within the family, but my prayers are ignored, and so is my dogs.

30°C in the shade, 22°C in the lake, a lot of water and concerned about the spiders in the cellar. There are not many spiders, actually I haven’t even seen even one, but I heard they live in the basement and this limits my options of putting the tent bed in a cool place, which would be the cellar. To be honest, this 60 year old house keeps rather cool during the summer months and is extremely pleasant to be in-doors if the heat gets to you.

Five and a half hours until the  German team plays its first game in the World Cup. Wondering if the laundry man of Mr. Löw succeeded in ironing those white shirts properly… I am slightly concerned about Joachim Löws well-being most of the time, but I am positive somebody will take good care of him as he is rather important, not only to the team , but to a lot of women…

So long - go green

/S

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6.6.2010 von admin.

…. the sun finally arrived and so did the water-skiers…

Lake Wörthersee has come to life and there is alot of activity, not only in the water, but also around the biking-trails. The sun arrived yesterday morning and the temperature is climbing to almost 30°C. Finally packed away my winter clothes and switch to a full blast summer wardrobe - no exceptions. Unfortunately the walk-in closet is still missing in this house, which means that I unfortunately need to pack and un-pack the seasonal outfits at least twice and the shoes 3 times a year. It breaks my heart every time I need to store away my shoes in ugly brown boxes where I can’t see them. I imagine the women I know just nodding their head when reading this…. If you ask a woman whats the most important things is in life, 70% probably lie if they don’t mention shoes… I belong to the women enjoying the purchase more than wearing them, and there are several pairs of shoes in the wardrobe, which have most strange colors not fitting my taste and are a pain even getting them on, but they are great to look at.. The summer months are dedicated to flip-flops and bare feet as far as I am concerned, though this wouldn’t go well with the suit…

Finalized the tiles on the porch, and they look absolutely fabulous if I can give an opinion. I do have some concerns about two of the tiles, which are still showing the ability of moving slightly and I am most positive that I won’t see the closure to this project just yet…

Starting Friday though, the WM will intrude into many households - the match overview can be found here. England made it for a change , Sweden didn’t… and Germany has a new captain… can be interesting…

So long -  stay tuned

/S

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30.5.2010 von admin.

… can do wonders…. but where is the handyman?

at least according to the new theory around this house, not that it would have anything to do with sports in the normal context, but heavy labour re-decorating parts of the house. I feel muscles I haven’t even known they existed and if I keep up with this I will be up for the Ironman competition in July. Surprisingly enough, nobody else I know share this view with me…

I have been asking myself the past weekends, where the handy-man supposing to be around any house has gone… things like painting the ceiling, laying out new floor tiles and carrying sacks of smoothing cement is not really my cup of tea, not that it doesn’t do me any good, it’s just a real pain…

Where is the handy-man when you need advise in laying out tiles or if half the wall comes down on you as there are old layers of paint underneath?? I have been through most do-it-yourself videos, and need a damn dictionary afterwards as there are tools I haven’t even known they existed, nor able to spell them…

Anyway, the result in the hallway is stunning, (if you ignore the fact that there are spots of paint in some places where they shouldn’t be) and the floor tiles at the entrance are actually pretty straight, only one broke while tiling and the rest - like filling and stuff is due on Thursday. I could do - do-it-yourself videos for women… something I might consider when I go into retirement..Someone with a lot of influence was with me yesterday as the rain started only after I was finished with the tiles.. Thanks - good stuff!

So long - and anyone seen my handyman - send him over…

/S

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13.5.2010 von admin.

…. one of the largest organized VW/Audi/Seat and tuning events…

So this week it’s all about cars, tuning, loud music and party and there is no bad weather stopping this happening. Concluded that the value of the cars in the parking lot would most probably carry a big family through their expenses the next couple of years… Amazingly enough even though the rain is poring down, the grooming of the cars are the first thing on the agenda. Pragmatically I would say - it’s going to take exactly 3 minutes on the road and you wouldn’t see the difference to before, but who am I to judge as I wouldn’t be counted to the “passionate about cars category” anyway. I do believe and admire the dedication, passion and effort these guys put into their hobby and even turn it into their full-time occupation, however I need to get an understanding - why their vehicles need to be so loud. Enjoying the morning coffee with ear-plugs can now be counted to the new experiences…

The Wörthersee Tour happening on a yearly basis, sheds a different light to the area. Usually we enjoy the landscape, nature and spend time on recreation - this week the centre of attention has turned towards a slightly different altitude..

The wall next to the road got some fresh color last weekend and there are some other areas around the house which need some further splashes of paint, so the paintbrush and I will get close again during the next couple of days. Usually a painter would need one third of the paint that I am using, as I strangely enough manage to get more paint on myself than on the object of attention and you are able to follow the track of paint throughout the house. You can’t win them all - can we, and as long as we enjoy it - why not?

Will enjoy what is left of the public holiday and take the dog for a walk.

So long - drive safely

/S

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2.5.2010 von admin.

…with work…

The origin of this Eight-hour day movement was actually 8 hours for work, eight hours for recreation and eight hours of rest. I personally need my eight hours sleep per 24 hours. This to enable the environment I am in, to actually hold a conversation with me, furthermore gives me the opportunity take in, process and respond to information.

I believe that the current society cannot be limited to the three times eight hour rule. Not only do we normally have extreme high expectations set on us at work, but also socially and guess that many of us try and combined the recreational/social factors with work, by trying to achieve the best possible result driven by a passion for our business and selection of occupation. It is also partly a matter of choice determining our destiny, our choice to balance our life and our choice to find the best solution for ourselves. By doing this I have found the recipe of being passionate in what I do, an easier way to achieve my out-most and deliver upon promise. But not saying that I am free from mistakes and wrong decision-making, but at least I can live with the consequences. I am very very thankful, having a fantastic family, friends and colleagues giving me the energy and support, enabling me to make the correct choices and giving the power and belief to shape my life the way I want to live it.

Up next on the project plan is the bouldering of the porch.. if I would have known and expected that I would do so much Handy-work in my life, I would have chosen a different major subject at school and laid out my career path somewhat different. The front entrance area needs new tiles and the path needs to be re-bouldered. The tiles thingy I need to outsource as I have realized that none of the “do-it-yourself” videos on the net will actually give me the needed competence within the next weeks to achieve the wanted result. However, I do believe the re-bouldering of tiles can be a challenge and within my limits, of course after a couple of rehearsals and a crash-courses. Let’s see - my favourite hardware store need to put up with a questionnaire next weekend and will try their patience once again. Have given them several months of holiday since I went there the last time…. Guess I should send them a pre-alert before going there…

So long - stay connected

/S

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24.4.2010 von admin.

and many other creatures have found their way out of their winter sleep.

Unfortunatley, not only the two spans high fiction characters,  “Small enough to be king of the fairies, and ugly enough to be king of the gnomes” (cited after OED), but also ticks, millipedes and other annoying insects sneak up on me gardening.

Exchanging soil in the flower beds turn into a heavy work-out session at all times - if you move fast enough- there is no way- the mean bastards will get to you. Ridiculous to some - common sense to me. I’d rather have animals I am able to see, hear and beat off, even though there is an exception for sharks… don’t like them either…

Have actually always thought that the gnomes are the ones taking care of the gardening, however nowadays they rather spend time on the road, and surprisingly there are many organizations dedicated setting gnomes”free”, sending them on trips, making sure the pictures are posted back to the owner and returning them back to their original spot in the garden. I am just waiting for the roaming gnome screwing up my phone bills…as there is still no sign of them around here…

I really adore this article: Itch feet

Will now return to the sun..

So long -

  “There’s more to life than watching daily commuter traffic “

An extract from Murphy’s letter

/S

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11.4.2010 von admin.

…. and green, green grass..

It’s spring! Arriving back from a week in Vienna, nature has taken big”springy” steps and we are all filled with the hope that summer will come back even this year. The snow shovel has been safely stored in the back of the shed and the snow shoveling elves have been sent on holiday (not that they have done much this winter anyway). Even though the optimistic weather girl, happily announced snow above 400 metres, I am relying on the weather God to at least keep it off my property.

In a month from now, the roads around Wörthersee will be filled with VW and Audi cars, some more expensive then a house, tuned, loud and stunningly well-groomed.  Still hoping for somebody to accidentally taking our old car with them when departing and leaving their shiny Golf with seat-heating and CD-player behind… If I could request a color, I would prefer a blue or red one…but I could appreciate anything really. Have heard, that if you wish for something really badly, it might just happen…

So long - keep your wishes positive!

/S

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