March things

March 2010 birthdays and other nice things

Tomorrow is the first day of March and I can feel that the worst of winter is over. Even so, winter is due to returnto Berlin by mid-week, but I think it is just a blast before Spring comes along. The cold winter has been wonderful for my allergies. Last year was a warm winter and my allergies started in mid-January. We are about to start March and no signs of them yet:-)

Who has a birthday in March? We have to go all the way to 22 March to join Dr. Günter Porsch in his birthday celebration. Günter and I used to teach at the same place and we are both now retired. I later worked with Dr. Bernd Wittek at Bernau, and he is celebrating his big day on the 28 March. Have a great day with your respective families and friends.

The big event for me is a skiing holiday starting on 7 March. It is the first time I have been allowed to go skiing for seven years.

Six operations stopped that fun for some time but now all is clear for more fun skiing down high snow covered mountains.

New Computer

Micha's New Computer

Yesterday I went to Micha's flat to see the new computer. It is an old Medion from Aldi but after work on it by Sandor it now runs like a sports car!

Sandor is a graduate in all things computer and a family friend so he prepared this computer after Micha got his internet connection. It has a Linux and a Windows OS and in Windows Micha can register as the administrator or simple as Micha. All done for security, as Sandor explained to me, and then how to set the thing up again in case of a crash - even that has been built into the machine! I was impressed.

I added links to the browser, got the printer working and set up his Skype connection - and had lunch with them. A very interesting day and I learnt more things about a computer. You can see a photo of said machine, and the happy owner with the creator standing behind him.

Still learning

Still learning

In addition to learning in Stefan's Friday Photoshop Gang, I go to workshops organised by language learning publishers and those of our teachers' organisation - ELTABB. Today there was a big name speaker so off I went and had a great day.

Scott Thornbury is a teacher-trainer, conference speaker and author. He is very entertaining in addition to being thought provoking. His main theme is expressed in the term 'dogma' which is based on a film production movement and is really about going back to basics by letting students explore language and for a teacher to use them as the teaching resource. A form of teaching/learning 'minimalism'!

I took some photos for our ELTABB photo database and decided to reduce a couple and share with you. You can see part of the audience and Scott in full flow. We retired to a restaurant on Kitty-Kollwitz-Platz and enjoyed some tasty food, beer and wine, in addition to intelligent conversation - of course!

Blättersturm

Blättersturm

This afternoon, Stefan showed me how to add the video direct to my blog. I have just changed the first one I posted and then I saw a comment written by Jan. What a nice surprise!

The tips he gave me are what I think Stefan did this afternoon. Please send further tips Jan for you know more about such things - in addition to bridge building - than I do :-)) Take care and give Arancha a big hug from me.

Now to try to add the work I did this afternoon. The background was taken in the garden of the building where we have our class. It is an autumn scene, so I added falling leaves to some happy children playing with the leaves in the garden.

It works! Now to wash my face and go to the Komische Oper. There is a concert of Schubert and Beethoven this evening. I can also watch Angelika play her viola (die Bratsche) on the stage before we meet backstage for a drink. Enjoy your evening too!

More butterflies

More Butterflies

Earlier I posted a butterfly in a garden. Now I have learnt more about adding movement so here is a butterfly in a wood with snow on the ground.

The next one is better. I learnt to add more movement and change the shape of the butterfly as it flits around the children and then disappears. The background shot was taken in the centre where we have the Photoshop course.

Skiing

Skiing in March

Yes, I'm going skiing at Großarl in the middle of Austria from 7th to 13th March. I'm staying in a chalet owned by, and next door to, Hotel Fichtenhof. Here are a few photos of the place and ski area.

Ian and Birgit, from London, spent Christmas there and decided to return, so they rented the chalet and asked a number of friends to join them. There will be seven of us sharing the chalet. I agreed immediately and booked my travel.

I decided on Deutche Bahn and not to fly because I hate all that waiting around at airports and overblown security hassle. I am traveling on one of those ICE inter-city trains, in a 'quiet' compartment (no mobile phones or headphones allowed) to Munich then switch to a local train. I get out at the wonderful sounding town of St. Johann am Pongau. From there it is a short taxi ride to the hotel, which they will organise.

I'm really looking forward to it for it is now five years since my last skiing holiday and that was in Bavaria. A number of operations stopped me from skiing, but I feel confident I will be fit for this adventure.

My Life

My life plus a bit more!

I got some nice smiles from Jutta and Gerald about life after retirement and really like this one. I hope it makes you smile as well.


I guess that working must mean around the house or helping family and friends.

Actually it is not completely true in my case. In my next post you will see that I plan to do something not in 'My life'.

Muggle-Schnee Day

Day on the snow and ice of a lake

Mugglesee is Berlin's largest lake and fortunately not too far from where I live. I plan to take Warren and Alex there for a day when they arrive in mid-May. More of that in later posts.

As you know I had the flu for two weeks,  and even needed another week to get rid of the 'sniffles'. When I got a call recently asking me if I was interested to join a small group for a gallop around Mugglesee, I immediately said, 'Yes!'. My Doc had said I needed fresh air, so I dressed in warm clothes and set off for the lake.

I was amazed to see it completely frozen over and covered in snow. The others were too, so we changed our plans and decided to walk across it, and into areas you cannot normally get into without a boat. It was a great experience and I took a few photos to share the experience with you.

After hours of walking and fresh air we ended up in a restaurant - as usual - and enjoyed some 'Deftiges Essen' and a glass of the beer made in the brewery on the side of the lake = from the (non-frozen ) water I had just walked over. Na prost!

February People

February People and a Smile!

The month started with Sven's 35th birthday which I know he celebrated with his wife and children. On the 3rd is Imre's 55th birthday and also Alan's 67th big day. Alan called me on Sunday evening and I had a good chat with him and Lynne including his birthday plans - as well as news of their family.

Jens Weise hits the big 40 on the 6th. I walked across the Mugglesee near to where he lives with his family last Sunday so I hope they all keep warm as they celebrate a special birthday.  Frau Dr. I. Pardon the boss of Dialogica will be 62 on the 18th, and I will be in her institute on that day so I shall be happy to present her with some flowers!.

Eleonora (Jan and Andrea's Mutti) will be 51 on the 22nd, and Adrian Bridge in London will also be 51 but on the 25th February. The month ends with Peter Bateson's 30th and Ralf Santon's 47th on th 28th February. Have a super day to each and all!

Now for the joke for you all. It is a problem of getting old and keeping teeth - of course, and I like the look on the cat's face!