Blueboy heart melter

I've had a very interesting few days since I was robbed on Tuesday. Thanks to all who contacted me. I had a particularly pleasant time yesterday and today. Yesterday I bought the younger son (lets call him A2) a rucksack. I picked one in blue for I noted he liked this colour.

This morning Papa and big brother (lets call him A1) came to my Palace. I gave them a collection of things given to me by a number of Oldies and then I gave A2 his rucksack. The room suddenly radiated bright light from his happy smile! I think you can see this in the photo I took. That smile would melt the hardest of hearts!! I bought the brothers bicycle locks and gave them more Easter chocolates courtesy of my Keep-Fit-Oldies.

While Papa sat with me at the computer and telephone to apply for a flat, the boys stayed in the kitchen and did the German and English homework I had prepared. They did all the work I had set them as Papa and I eventually found a flat large enough for the family in north-east Berlin. They then left to meet Mutti and sister for lunch at the refugee centre.

We had arranged to meet later and we 'boys' took the Tram to the Vietnamese Shopping Centre in the middle of our district. We wanted sports clothes for the boys but unfortunately we did not find them on offer. Instead we found a rucksack for Papa, an electric kettle for Mutti and shoes for the boys. I found it interesting watching how they selected things and talked about their selection in Farsi. When they talked to me I noted they used more English than German. That will change over time.

All the money donated by a number of kind people was spent so we decided to take the tram home. During the journey, Papa kept telling me how happy the boys were. I only had to look at their faces to see he was right.    UPDATE: Blueboy voted Photo of the Month

Armless

I was robbed this morning on my way to the AWO building. I was in the U-Bahn heading to Frankfurter Allee station. I took my wallet out of my rucksack, removed €10 to pay for some food for lunch and put the wallet back. Someone else had seen all this.

I left the train, bought lunch, paid and put the change in my pocket. I walked up the steps and a couple of minutes later I was in the teaching room in the AWO building. As I put my rucksack on the table, I noticed the outer pocket was open. This is where I always place my wallet.

There was no wallet. I went into the office and called the police. They told my to contact BVG = local transport company. I did just that after waiting 10 minutes to get through. The BVG lady told me to go the BVG centre in Alexander Platz. I was about to set off when my mobile rang.

It was a BVG security officer responsible for the local station. My wallet had been found in a rubbish bin on the platform. Two minutes later I was there accompanied by Maria to act as my witness. The officer explained that a man who collects empty bottles from rubbish bins to get the deposit money had found my wallet and given it to the officer.

All the money was gone but all my papers and monthly travel permit were in the wallet. My wallet contained €50 donated to buy sports clothes/shoes for the refugee family children plus €30 of my money. Guess what I would do to the thief? I would begin by sawing off his arms. Yes, I know I am getting more liberal in my old age!!! I shall go to the bank tomorrow and make up the children's money. I am meeting father and sons on Thursday to buy what they need.

And now to watch TV. The German team is playing Italy in another friendly. Germany is still getting over the shock of the last game against England. I believe the trainer has made 5 player changes. I think Italy will win. Daniel does not agree. He told me earlier this evening that Germany will win. Let's see.  UPDATE: Daniel was right. Result was Germany 4 - Italy 1, but then it was not the same bunch of third raters who played against England.

Now where did I put my mobile saw??

Finding Eggs

I've just returned from meeting my 'adopted' family at the refugee home. Really nice Spring weather today with warm sun and blue skies. Just heard about the storms that have been sweeping the south of England. How different it is here. I wonder if it is a climate reaction to the England - Germany football match result :-((

I met Papa and the children outside the home. Security staff stop anyone from entering who is not registered. I then hid chocolate eggs and a chocolate 'bunny' with a bell around its neck. The children really enjoyed searching for the eggs and eventually found them. I took a few photos for you to enjoy.

Johanna recently gave me a rucksack and coat to give to them and others gave me money for the kids need sports clothes for school. The elder boy really enjoyed getting a rucksack. Father and I are meeting on Thursday to call lots of offices to register for a flat. The family is still living in one room!

I gave father some money to get a bicycle for the younger boy. There is a project at the home where old bikes are repaired and you can buy one very cheaply, or hire one for a day. The boys need to get mobile and burn some energy off by cycling. They can also cycle to school and save the tram fare.

On Thursday afternoon the boys are meeting us. We are going to a shopping centre for sports clothes. Father then said the elder son needed shoes. He only has one pair and the top of one shoe has split exposing his toes. Hope the money I have collected is enough for what they need.

They are all now learning German and spoke to me in German when we met. I need to find some cheap dictionaries and even an old laptop. At least the family is safe even if there are many things they need.

Down Under

Birgit and Ian are touring the Blue Mountains 'Down Under'. Exactly a year ago I was there enjoying a tour into, and around, the Blue Mountains courtesy of Colin and his car.

They sent me Easter greetings just before they started via this nun. Have a look at what is hanging from her belt :-))  I've just opened a message and found another image. This one Birgit called 'Cockatoos in the mist'.

Really nice image and congratulations to you Birgit for snapping the birds. They were perching on the balcony of their B&B where they had apples for breakfast. Or perhaps 'they' is not  Ian and Birgit, but the cockatoos in which case Birgit and Ian were feeding apples to the cockatoos! Hope they enjoyed their breakfast.

Nice to see how other people are relaxing and enjoying the Easter holiday. I don't think any Silsdeners are feeding cockatoos!

Breakfeast

I've just created a new word. See above. Yes, I was invited to an Easter breakfast which turned out to be a feast. Just look at this photo of what was on the tablecloth. I was invited to Gerald and Jutta's flat for breakfast. As usual I arrived late, but then that was expected. They know me.

We caught up on news as we munched our way through the feast. Holiday plans, health, the latest on my old/new families, and teaching Oldies were a few of the topics we covered. We talked about Colin and the gang in Ozland for Johanna is spending summer there.

We then posed for a photo to send to the Ozland family and friends. Nice poses. I recently picked up news that Ian and Birgit had headed for the Blue Mountains to enjoy their Easter. Oh, happy memories of my travels there a year ago. Hope you are all enjoying the Easter break wherever you are.

If you live in Europe, don't forget to turn on your TV this evening. I can hear you asking why. Because Germany is playing England at football. The game is in Berlin and it is what is called a 'friendly'. That means new, younger players can get some experience playing at national level. The German team will, of course, win :-)))  UPDATE: England won 3:2. Long faces in the German team!

Visiting beards

Last week two beards of differing length and thickness came to visit me. The first was Daniel who arrived for an English lesson on Saturday morning. He brought some chocolate cakes made by his aunt. She has a bakery in Moldova and sent an Easter present. Nice of Daniel to share with me, and the cakes were delicious.

We checked his homework, chatted and then I took a coupe of photos of him to send to his family back in Moldova, particularly his grandparents. I like this photo taken slightly from the side and showing different light and darkness shades. Here you can see his beard and it is all of one week old!

Later that day my phone rang. It was Marcel. He asked if I would be home that weekend and I replied in the positive. Shortly after, he arrived with a very bushy 'underchin'. It was nice to see him after such a long time. He has now settled into his new student style flat, still has an evening job and studies at the uni every day.

Both of them study hard in their respective fields and their German is also expanding rapidly. They only speak English with me for they say it the only chance they have. Marcel was hungry so he prepared a pizza with salad. Lots of chatting and jokes then time for 'sleepies'

I hit the 'land of nod' immediately but not him. He slept late and staggered out of bed at 10.30 am saying he was hungry - again!  He cooked a rather substantial breakfast for himself. I could not resist taking this snap. I really like the 'just-got-out-of-bed' look, and yes he did eat all that for breakfast. I really enjoyed his visit and look forward to the next. Must buy some more eggs!!

Irish Anniversary

Easter Friday weather here is miserable. Hope it is better in Silsden and particularly in Dublin. Many people there are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Easter Uprising tomorrow. It failed with many lives lost, but the wish for independence continued and succeeded a few years ago.

If I were in Dublin I would certainly be in the centre, perhaps in O'Connell  Street in Dublin, which played an important part in the uprising. There you will find the General Post Office, from which the Declaration of Independence was read out, and lots of statues.

Talking of which, I have booked my flight to Dublin to celebrate my birthday. More later.  Here some Spring flowers to mark the special day for all my Irish friends.

Johannes Mahal

What does Taj Mahal mean? Most people on this planet have heard of it, and many have been to see it - including Jan and Arancha.  Stop scratching your head and muttering that you used to know the answer. I'll tell you! Taj is the English shortcut of Taz which is a reduction of Mumtaz.

Still scratching your head? She was the wife of the Moghul Emperor of India in the mid.1600s, name of Shah Jahan. Her name was Mumtaz. She died while carrying their 11th child. Shah Jahan was heartbroken. He ordered that two memorials be built opposite Lal Kila (Red Fort) in Agra from where he ruled.

They were to be built on a bend of the Jumna River opposite Lal Kila so he could see construction of the Mahals. Mahal means memorial. The one to Mumtaz was to be built of white marble on the south bank. The one to him was to be built on the north bank and in black marble. They were to be identical in design and size.

Why have we only got one? Before this black marble 'Jahan Mahal' could be built, his son led a coup against him. End of construction. Shah Jahan was imprisoned in rooms looking directly onto the Taj Mahal. When he died, his body was placed next to Mumtaz in her Mahal. I always find this a touching story and one that reminds us of the power of love.

Here is a picture from a postcard sent to me by Heike. She was recently on a cruise which took in a gallop to famous places in India. Thanks liebe Heike. The other photo is of 'guess who with a beard' and taken many years ago. When was it taken? Wake up Daniel, this a question for you  and Sherlock Holmes to find the answer, and by next Tuesday!

An Anniversary

Today is the 70th anniversary of the first broadcast of what later became Letter from America. The writer and presenter was Alistair Cooke (1908 - 2004).  Here is what I found on the internet:

"The first American Letter was broadcast on 24 March 1946 . Cooke said this was at the request of Lindsey Wellington, the BBC's New York Controller. The series was initially commissioned for only 13 instalments, but came to an end 58 years (2,869 instalments) later, in March 2004. Along the way it picked up a new name, changing from American Letter to Letter from America in 1950, and an enormous audience. It was broadcast not only in Britain and in many other Commonwealth countries, but throughout the world by the BBC World Service."

The link to me is that many years ago I went to a workshop about how to set up a blog. Shortly after, I heard an interview with Alistair Cooke. He was asked about the name and concept. He said it was simple: He thought of his sister in Lancashire and what he would say about life in the USA if he were writing her a letter. Bong!!! --- then I had my concept and starting writing about life in Berlin for sister Frances and cousin Barbara in Silsden. The rest is history.

Here are some nice flowers with a big THANK YOU  to Alistair Cooke on this anniversary.

Gold Güstav

Last Friday afternoon I went to meet Stefan and my Photoshop Gang. Lots of catching up on news, sipping of coffee, and munching on cakes and biscuits at the start of our meeting. Then into the computer room.

There we learnt/learned how to change any colour in any part of a photo. We decided on Gold. First you have to open a page and select the colour you want as a background. You then open another one with an image.

Cut out the image and save. Open your background colour and add to your image. Continue at will changing as many as you want. I selected an image called Güstav and changed him into a gold image. His value immediately increased! Have fun doing the same thing.

I told you a few posts ago that one of our number had died suddenly. He was the most creative in our group. He also drew cartoons and added comic figures to English grammar rules. His widow had given me a copy of one of his cartoons as a momento. Here it is. Enjoy the countdown to the holiday weekend.

Irish Day

Irish people by nationality, or those by descent like me, traditionally celebrate being Irish on St. Patrick's Day.

The name shows its historical links to the catholic church, which are increasingly meaningless. Perhaps we should just call it Irish Day.

I recently opened my e-mails and found a simple message from I&B in Sydney. Thanks to both. Australia is one of the countries with a large Irish descended community.

Mix that with Oz dry humour and we get such jokes as this one. I think it is great and would give the writer at least an extra pint of beer!

Back to Berlin and the weather has returned to grey, cold and wet. I did my Oldie fitness training with Kerstin this morning, then left to meet my Photoshop Gang. We did some work by adding gold to images, which I shall share with you later.

Back at home, my academic arrived to look at all the corrections I had made to the Introduction to his doctoral thesis. He accepted my corrections, and we discussed changes he needs to make. That is his homework for the weekend. We are meeting on Monday evening to check the changes. Have a nice weekend.

Spring Day

It's wonderful! Blue sky, no clouds, no wind, just sun and 15°C in the garden. One neighbour is sitting in the garden staring into his 'smart phone'. I wonder if the phone is smarter than he is! Perhaps he has forgotten to lift his eyes from the screen and enjoy the colours of the day.

I left you yesterday as I was about to watch a football match. The result was Bayern 4 and Juventas 2. The result does not reflect the play. Juventas scored in the 6th minute and dominated the game until nearly the end. Bayern was able to get 2 goals just by the 90th minute and so went into extra time. Then they went into the lead. I enjoyed the game and sipping a beer as I settled into the game.

I've had a day for me. It goes with the weather. Actually I finished proof reading the introduction to a doctoral thesis written in English by a German academic. On asking why in English, he told me it is a requirement and means there is a larger academic reading public. The topic is about yeast cell reproduction, or simply how yeast have sex. Yes, they do! The next time we meet ask me about it. I can bore you for ages on this fascinating topic. Think about it the next time you eat a slice of bread or drink a glass of beer :-))

As I was planning to update my blog I listened to a proramme on Radio 4 from London. It is called, 'Incarnations: India in 50 lives'. Listen via the internet if you can. Today it was about V.K.Krishna Menon 1896 - 1974. He came from a wealthy, aristocratic family in Kerala and studied politics and law in London for many years.

He was a famous diplomat, founder of the non-aligned movement, Defence Minister, UN Ambassador and member of the lower and upper chambers of the Indian Parliament. He was also a co-founder of Penguin Books in 1935, member of the Labour Party and councillor for St. Pancras in London, and Secretary of the India League in London from 1929 to 1947. He was considered the 2nd most powerful man in India after Nehru.  When I was preparing for my first India project in 1976, I had to learn about him. The more I read about him the more respect I had. This background knowledge helped me later in many projects.

Now a couple of photos to show that  I am still playing about with another old camera and have a visitor on my balcony. More blue skies and sun please!

Cheers and Prost

The two words mean the same. Here is a photo recently sent by liebe Andrea. I was surprised to receive it and have since been trying to work out where and when it was taken.

I think it must have been on her big day. I really like the fusion between the clarity of me in the photo, and that of others who the camera did not focus on. I wonder who took the photo.

I know she has a very good Nikon SLR camera, for  I advised her about buying it, but she didn't run around with it on her big day. I wonder if they had a professional photographer and he/she snapped this.

I went to Hönow on Sunday and will post about it in more detail later. Monday was a busy day and Tuesday even more so with a visit to the Berlin Government building housing people responsible for the development of the city. I was with my SPD Oldies and we saw some amazing models of the city, and how it will look in the next 10, 20, 30 years.

Today I had a haircut, went shopping, bought a mouse connecter cable for Oldie H's Samsung Tablet. He keeps hitting it rather than swiping it and so it is only a matter of time before he breaks it. Now he can 'mouse' it :-)

Then I went to my Oldie Kamera-Klub. I then listened to others talking about the photos they had taken and in some cases altered via computer programmes.

In a short time I shall turn on my TV to watch a football match in clear HD. FC Bayern München is playing Juventus Turin for a place in the Champions League. Many of the players are in the German National Team so that is why I watch them play. I think I shall sip a cool beer as I watch them play - and hopefully win! Is that okay Jan?

PS: I recently got this joke. It says more than a lot!! Any comments?

The People Vote

It's late and I have been watching different TV News programmes about votes in three states in the German Republic. I'm watching a special programme as I write these words. It is called 'maybrit illner spezial on ZDF. Representatives of the main parties in Germany are in the studio and commenting on the results of the elections today.

There was a vote in three states. Nearly 13 million people could vote and about 56% took the trouble to move their bottoms out of bed/chair/pub and stick a X on a piece of paper in a voting booth.  The theme that dominated the election was that of accepting refugees. A new(ish) party called AfD is against the current policy so all were interested to see how the people had voted.

It was a bad result for the CDU and SPD and a good one for the AfD. This party is identified with right wing populist policies and has attracted many known neo-Nazis to meetings and to support it. In one state this party polled nearly 25% of the vote and came second. This has created a shock and the current TV programme is discussing the results.

The leader of the AfD is in this programme. No, not a man but a women and her deputy is also a women. The deputy recently made a name for herself by calling for soldiers to control the borders and if necessary to shoot at those who illegally cross -- even if they are women and children! You can imagine how many eyebrows were raised on hearing that!

I wonder what my local SPD members will say about this result when I meet the Oldies on Tuesday afternoon. The vote is clearly a smack in the face for the current central government policy. I wonder how they will react.  The picture of the group in a studio above is not that of those in the current programme.

Camera for Oldies

I did some cleaning and sorting out midweek and found an old friend. Yes, my Olympus Trip 35 proudly claiming 'Made in Japan' on the back of the camera. It was in a cloth bag with Prinz Jupiter 177, also 'Made in Japan' Some of you may know this to be a flash powered by two AA batteries.

Holding it really is like entering another age. I put it in my rucksack and took some photos as I travelled around. Yes, there was a roll of film inside. I'm going to Hönow tomorrow for lunch with Oldie H so shall take a few photos of the countryside there. I'm interested in seeing the photos when developed.

I took it with me yesterday when I went to my Oldie Photoshop Gang. They were all amused to see such an antique and talked about their first cameras and adventures leaning to use a similar model. Stefan took this photo of me. He used the camera in his smartphone. This clearly demonstrated the advances in camera technology over a relatively short period.

Another very busy week and a similar one waits for me from Monday. Had an interesting Skype chat with Ian in Sydney this morning. Covered many topics and caught up on events there.  I still can't believe how Daniel could answer the mystery photo questions a couple of posts ago. I was sitting on a beach if you remember! How did he know all that?

Mardi Gras

Took a rest from homework and checked my e-mails. There was one from Birgit in Sydney. She and Ian went to the Mardi Gras yesterday evening and had a great time. Birgit took this photo with her phone camera and sent it with a message.

Many thanks for thinking about me Birgit. On Saturday 7 March 2015 I went to the Mardi Gras which ended not far from where Birgit and Ian then lived. It was my last evening in Sydney and they had left for Hong Kong that morning.

I really enjoyed it. It was my first experience of a Mardi Gras and I was impressed by how the people just relaxed, smiled, danced, and generally had fun. I took a couple of photos and posted a report on my blog. Perhaps you remember that?

I'm now looking at my diary for 2015 and on Sunday 8th I note that a taxi came at noon and took me to the airport. I took a Thai Air flight at 15:40 and arrived in Bangkok at 21.05. There I enjoyed three days before leaving for Vienna and arrived in Berlin on 12th March. Happy memories!

Mixed Things

Yes, this post is a mixture of topics and time. Let's start with meeting my adopted family this morning and heading off to a shopping centre. I told you I had collected money from my SPD Oldies to buy things for 7 year old P.   Her mother explained size, colour and cut for a little girl.

Daughter P. loved the experience. She jumped from one display to the next. We followed the list set down by her teacher and eventually got all except sport shorts. We are going to look for them next Thursday afternoon. Here is a photo of a her with a wonderful smile and the things we bought this morning.

She has two brothers and the youngest one had an accident on his bicycle last Wednesday. To hospital where he got a plaster cast on his right arm. Yes, a broken bone. I am looking for a bicycle for his older brother. Falling off bikes is part of being a boy and learning not to fall off a bike!

Both boys have now had doctor health checks, which you have to have here before you can start school. I hope this means they will be allocated a school soon.

Ulli und die Grauen Zellen were just as expected and described in my last post. I expected them to be an 'Ozzi' band but not so. They started life as a 'boy band' in West Berlin in the 1970s.

Finally some more German for you.  Der Pfarrgartengrundstückserwerbsfinazierungsplanbeschluss = it has 54 letters. What does it all mean? The first bit means parish garden property, the next bit means the approval of a decision for the finance plan for purchase and the last bit means a decision. I think you will find learning Hindi much easier. I did  :-)  Have a lazy Sunday.

Strange Coincidence

I spent the morning moving and stretching with Kerstin's Oldies, as usual on a Friday. Later I landed in Stefan's Photoshop Gang. As I settled down to drink my first coffee of the day and eat a chocolate biscuit, Stefan asked,"Have you been okay?"

I said,"Yes, but very busy over the last few days. Why do you ask?". Guess what he said....think about my last post.........Er...well...ehm..he like said, aaah like.....er like... "I looked at your blog earlier and you had not posted for some time and there was nothing about this month from your monkey face!"

My mouth dropped open. I wondered if he had spoken to Daniel. Almost the same question Daniel had asked yesterday. I explained and later the gang looked at the post on my blog from yesterday and smiled at the coincidence:-) We then got down to work and I created a new piece of art. Here it is and I made two changes to the original. Can you work out what they were/are?   

Off to 'Nacht der Politik 2016' soon. It is being held in our Town Hall and garden. The Mayoress will open it in an hour. Maybe I'll get to kiss her as I did the last time we met :-)) I'm intrigued to see what happens at 9:30pm for the advert says there will be a 'Rockkonzert' starring 'Ulli und die Grauen Zellen'.

This translates as Ulli and the Grey Cells. Methinks it will be a band of gents who grew up in the 1970s, still treading the boards, and playing to fans of the same era. I wonder if they now have bald patches in the middle of their grey hair and stretched beer bellies. Let's see!

PS: Okay, you located the last photo quickly. Try this one - WHERE AND WHEN was it taken?

March 2016 Things

Daniel has just called and among other things was the question, "Are you ill?" I replied, "No, but I've had a very busy last few days. Why do you ask?". "You haven't posted about the month of March with the monkey face", was his answer. "Crikey, you're right!" was my response, "Thanks for reminding me."

I told you I spent all the weekend reading documents for a meeting and they were written in 'Amts-deutsch', but that was good preparation for what was to come. On Monday I met my English Group 1 Oldies and after took the S-Bahn to Müller Straße. There you will find the Berlin state offices of the SPD. I had been invited to a meeting of the International Labour Party group in Berlin.

The main point for discussion was about the UK staying in the EU, or not, and whether to found a formal branch of the Labour Party in Berlin. The meeting decided the former was more important at the moment, so that would get priority, and in autumn we would discuss the transition to a formal branch.

On Tuesday I had a homework-help-meeting with Maria, taught my English Group 2 Oldies, had my Spanish lesson and then left for another corner of Berlin for my first meeting as newly elected Vertreter of my housing association. Thank goodness I had read all the material last weekend for I was able to follow the sometimes detailed points of the meeting. After, I had a much needed beer with my co-Vertreter.

Now to ask Who has a Birthday in March?  It is International Womens' Day on the 8th March so half the world's population has a special day then! I shall be handing out red roses donated by our SPD branch in the morning. On 19 March my MacBook and the Asus Eee laptops will be 8 years old. In computer language this is equivalent to being 95 years old. I shall give them an electric shock as a present! Dr. Günter will celebrate his birthday with family in Berlin on the 22nd, Dr. Bernd will likewise celebrate in Bernau on the 29th and the month ends with my liebe Johanna and her birthday party in Berlin on the 31st.               Happy Birthday to one and all!!

PS: Where am I in the photo on the right? Answers on a postcard to....'Er..well..ehm..na ja..er like..'