May 2018 Things

I am still suffering from certain kinds of tree pollen and venture onto my balcony now and again to relax and read a book. I always have lots of tissues with me. Other sufferers will know what I mean. Got a nice comment from Thorsten linking my last Croc post to my allergies. Yes, let the crocs have them and give my eyes a rest!

We've had some good Spring weather here over the last week. Yesterday and today was 24°C and two families are having picnics in the gardens next to where I live. One has a tiny baby so I hope she is enjoying her first early summer party in a garden!

A couple of days ago I got a postcard from cousin Barbara from Berwick-upon-Tweed. When I started this blog, Barbara was one of two people I had in mind when I created its style and format. The other was little sister Frances. She has no idea of the world outside Silsden but Barbara has travelled a lot and is computer savvy. Frances no longer reads this blog but Barbara and a number of family members in and around Silsden do.

I decided to share Barbara's postcard with all of them/you. What do you know about Berwick-opon-Tweed? Nothing! Then read on. The name means barley village/farm from the original  'bere-wic'. It is the northernmost town in England in the county of Northumberland and is just 4 km south of the Scottish border. It has a population of 12,000 which is double that of Silsden!

It was founded as an Anglo-Saxon settlement and later annexed to England in the 10th Century. Berwick changed hands between England and Scotland over 12 times in the next 400 years. I'm glad I wasn't around then! Now 60% of the population work in the service sector, only 13% in manufacturing and 10% in agriculture.

The town is on the famous A1 road constructed by the Romans linking London to Edinburgh. It is famous for its castle, town hall and the 'Old Bridge' which is a 15 span sandstone arch bridge built in 1610-24. It also has the Union Bridge built in 1821, which is the world's oldest surviving suspension bridge. Wow! .... but I didn't know all that. Go and visit the town when you are next in Brexitland!  I can only remember one visit and that was in 1960. Yes, many years ago!

Who has a birthday in May?  Max the Pizza/Pasta fan in Berlin starts the month with his 35th on the 2nd May. Marcel my godson, who I have heard nothing from for the last year, will be 24 on the 6th and no doubt celebrate with his friends/student members/sword fighters in Berlin/Student Home/University. I wonder if he will get another scar on his face from sword fighting on his birthday. On the 8th May a certain person will be 75 years old and celebrate in the evening with his Kowalke Gang. I wonder if you can work out who that is? My nephew's son will be 10 on the 10th May and celebrate in a town next to Silsden. Hans will be 67 on the 11th and no doubt have at least an extra 10 beers to celebrate with friends in Berlin! My 'Dwahlin' Trish will be 66 on the 13th and celebrate with her husband in their house in Datca, Turkey. Wish I could be there. Heike D. in Berlin will be a year older on the 16th and celebrate in district Marzahn where I used to live. Sylvia in Brighton will be 62 on the 21st. The day before my lovely, wonderful cousin Barbara will celebrate her 73rd with Rachael, Marley and lots of friends. Wish I could also be there! Jumping to north Germany we arrive at Wehe to celebrate Holger's 54th birthday with Gabi, children and friends. Sure to be a very large grill party in the garden for that event!
Update: Barbara celebrates on the 20th and on the 14th, Holger and Gabi will celebrate 25 years of marriage with a holiday in Lisbon. Nice!

TO EACH - HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE!!

Crocs

How about this cartoon? I really like it, but then I have always liked what some call 'black' humour and others call 'sick' humour! Who said that Germans do not have a sense of humour? It really is rubbish. There is a long tradition of humour of all sorts including jokes and double meaning in language such as this 'croc' joke.

Now for a little lesson in German for my Silsdeners. What is croc 1 saying to croc2? As usual some words can be translated in many ways. Let us take 'doch' in this joke. It translates as but, yet, still, nevertheless, after all. Which one is correct here? The answer is the last one = after all.

If you translate the word order directly you get. 'You wanted after all a child from me.' In English you can move the word order around. 1) After all, you wanted a child from me. 2) You wanted a child from me after all. In English it depends on where you want to put the stress.

What else have I been doing since my last post ? I cancelled two appointments last weekend. I am having a bad time with my allergies. I decided to stay at home and just put drops and other medicines into my eyes and nose. They look terrible from blood in my eyes so I wear sunglasses when I leave home.

In addition to all my usual things, I went to a film/meeting/discussion about refugees in Berlin, a new local SPD group to consider how to build the party locally and a meeting of supporters of the local museum. I hope to have a relaxed and lazy weekend before the bicycle tour next Tuesday. By then I hope my eyes will have stopped looking like Dracula's! Here are some flowers for you!

Become a Berliner

Hello Silsdeners/Brexiters this post is for you. Since my last post I have had a 'normal' week but with more sun as the week advanced. Today was the best so far. Only blue sky, sunshine and 25°C. Great! When you travel on public transport you see more coloured clothes and even smiles.

The big events this week were on Tuesday. I met my Oldies for an English session at 12 noon as usual. From there I went one stop on the U-Bahn (Underground) to meet my SPD 60+ Gang to visit the Stasi Denkstätte (Memorial). You can find details about this on the internet. It was my second visit and I can recommend all visitors to Berlin to go there.

The Stasi was the secret police force of the DDR. The HQ was in a large complex in the eastern district of Lichtenberg. I live in the south of this district. The guided tour is very well organised and everything has been restored so that you think you are going back in time as you enter each room.

From there I rushed home, had a bite to eat, washed my face and headed off for Alexander Platz. I got there okay then jumped into an U-Bahn for one stop. As I walked the short distance to my destination I got a tap on my shoulder. It was Andrea! Regular readers of my blog will know she is Jan's sister. She, and her husband Marco, had organised the evening.

It was at Comedy-Club Kookaburra and the event was called 'How to become a Berliner in one hour' and in English. You can see more details above. Very nice show with most of the audience from Denmark followed by a smaller group from Brazil. The comedian involved different members of the audience, which they clearly liked.

At the end of the show, we relaxed over a final drink and was joined by our entertainer. His name is Karsten Kaie. He is not a Berliner. He comes from Baveria but has lived in Berlin for many years. You can see him on the right in the photograph. A really nice evening and another place for you to go to when you are next in Berlin. For me, the high point of the evening was being with Andrea and Marco again. They drove me home and we agreed to meet again in May. I shall share that meeting with you.

First G&T

The sun is shining after heavy rain and storms yesterday. Later, I'm going to sit on the balcony and nod off over a book. I just might 'borrow' a beer from Jan's collection in my fridge to make the relaxation even better.

As you know I like getting postcards from all corners of the world. I commented about that a few posts ago. I got a nice surprise last Thursday. A postcard from Gran Canaria sent by Peter and Andre. They wrote that they had made the right choice given the weather in Berlin. I have to agree with them even though the sun is shining now. I have never been there so I look forward to meeting them and hearing about their holiday and the island.

The Gin & Tonic season is in summer but increasingly consumed all year round. Someone had never tasted a G&T so when he visited last Friday he asked if he could have one. I think you know who it is from the photo. Yes, Daniel. I explained the importance of the quantity in relation to each other of the four ingredients. For example: More ice if it is a very hot day and less gin to tonic.

He listened with interest as I prepared his first G&T and explained that it is really a matter of taste and how you mix it comes from personal experience and choice. He lifted the glass and sipped. Then I heard a happy 'Aaaaahh' followed by :Mmmmh - good'! And so Daniel had a new experience. I think you can see how much he enjoyed that from his face.

Now to take one of Jan's beers, my book, and settle in the sun on the balcony. Enjoy your Sunday!

Playing with Piggy

Having a coffee with a new friend name of Mr. Piggy - only the coffee is true :-)) Let me explain.

Every Monday afternoon I go to a meeting room in the new block of flats opposite to my place. A gentleman called Thorsten is waiting in the room for anyone with smartphone, laptop, notebook, tablet problems.

He is a computer expert and works for the housing association. of which I am a member. He travels to different parts of Berlin each day to help tenant-members to solve their problems. He is also a master of music and languages. What a talent!

He helps me to use Oldie-Hermann's tablet. I know I should know it all by now but I don't for I hardly open the thing. So, to Thorsten's lesson. Last Monday I did something I had not done before! I took a photo of Mr Piggy and set to work. Mr. Piggy was on the table in front of me.

I wanted to know how to transfer the photo into the tablet. Which programme to use for the transfer? Having done that I had to learn which programme to use to reduce, resize and turn around the image. I installed such a programme in an earlier session. Having done that I had to save it but where? That was all explained and so I was ready to  upload it to my blog.

I did this as I normally do and added a few words of text. And so I left it until now. It was the first time I had taken a photo then transferred to a tablet, made changes and uploaded to the internet. Not easy for there are more programmes and steps than I normally use to update my blog and keep you informed about all the exciting things in my life here in Berlin :-))

To end this report, here is a photo of my Oldie-Hermann tablet and the things I have added to it in the vain attempt to make it easier and simpler to use. I think I need to practice more! At least you know where I am and what I am doing each Monday late afternoon to early evening!

Visitors

Last Friday was busy. It started with Kerstin and the Movement Oldies, then Stefan and my Photoshop Gang followed by Daniel. He is very busy at the moment preparing for his 'Abitur' exams in May. The UK equivalent is 'A' Levels. He needs them to get into university next September. He was followed by my visitors.

Dr. Peter von Long-Legs arrived with Stefan von Another-Beer-Please. The latter was in Berlin for the weekend to visit family. He lives in Halle which is some distance south of Berlin. Always nice to see him. They both belong to Jan's Primary-School-Gang. Yes, they met when they started school in the 1980s and still keep in contact and with others from the same school year. Most are now married and have children but still maintain contact.

Stefan had earlier sent an e-mail saying he/they would drink all the bottles of beer I keep in my fridge for Jan. They drank all 12 bottles in addition to sipping something from Scotland and a brew they brought with them. Not bad - and later they enjoyed Bock Wurst with mustard and bread rolls.

Between eating and drinking we did a lot of talking. Very interesting topics but then they are professional academics so can cover a lot of topics. Stefan's speciality is environmental protection. I learnt a lot listening to him. And so the clock ticked into the early hours. They left looking very happy and I made a note to buy beers next day for Jan's next visit!

Springing

Spring has sprung! At last. Blue sky, warm sun and temperature of 22°C. Wow! - I even went shopping without a coat. I was not the only one to venture out without winter clothes. Very nice to share this good news with you after a too long gray, cold winter.

Also pleased to share even more with you. I am always happy to get postcards from family and friends as they gallop around the world. I now have a drawer full of them and enjoy periodic views and re-reading the comments. I got this one from Neil and his better half. They were on holiday in Thessaloniki.

They wrote, "This town really has a lot to offer: A fascinating history, diverse cultures and plenty of lovely places to eat, drink and relax." I think they said it all. I confess I have not been to mainland Greece. The closest I got was a 2 week holiday in Corfu many years ago. I have also never been to Italy and think it is time I did something about that.

Have fun planning your spring and summer holidays and don't forget to send me a postcard :-))

Loony Speak

I recently got an e-mail from Ian in Oz with the title, "Loony academic-speak". Great title for what came next. Here it is. The first part is his comment and the second is what the academic said.

This is an academic administrator at Harvard University criticising student clubs that limit membership to men or women

 "The discriminatory membership policies of these organizations have led to the perpetuation of spaces that are rife with power imbalances." 

Er....ya...like....er..wot....eeeeerrr ?!! What does this say for academia and particularly for Harvard University? I think I shall go there and re-introduce an old practice. It is called putting someone on/into the stocks. Made of wood and with holes for head and arms. When the academic is in the stocks then the public may throw rubbish at his/her head. Rotten food was popular in the Middle Ages but I think we could allow used toilet paper nowadays! After that the academic would be forced to attend an English course based on plain speaking.

When I said the words out loud, my neighbour's dog called Bello, barked out loudly that it damaged his ears. Here is a photo of the reaction of his ears to the Loony Speak. Poor Bello, and anyone in Harvard who has to listen to such drivel from academics.

April 2018 Things

It's the 1st of April and in Berlin, as in many other places, it is part of a national holiday weekend marking the Easter period. I woke late this morning and peered out of the window so see a flurry of snowflakes. More attempts at snowing before the weather settled into dry, cold and gray. This day is also called 'April Fool's Day' in British culture. Traditionally you play jokes on your family and friends and then cry out. 'April Fool' when they fall victim to your 'joke'.

This morning I have been reading a couple of chapters from a book. A teacher of English, who is German, recently got into discussion with me about Islam and Middle East politics. She then brought the book and asked me to read at least the first three chapters. She wants to talk, in English; about the content, which is in German, the next time we meet.

The author is Michael Lüders, a journalist who lived and worked in the middle east for many years. The book title is: "Wer den Wind sät: Was westliche Politik im Orient anrichtet". In English it means: (He)Who sows the wind: What western politics in the Orient causes/wreaks". It was published in 2016. It begins with the overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh's government in Iran in 1953 by US and British intervention against the nationalisation of what later became BP petrol company. At least I have something more to read in case we get more snow over the holiday!

On a recent visit to a museum I picked up a couple of booklets for tourists in Berlin. They are in English and also available in tourist centres, rail stations and airports. Here you can see them. One contains details of things to do and see in Berlin and the other contains details of walks you can join to/in historical parts of the city. Thought some of you might be interested in case you visit Berlin this summer.

Appointments and meetings in my diary for April look very much like those in March so let's look at something more interesting. Who has a birthday in April?

Horst starts us off with his 84th celebration on the 4th, but not in Berlin. He will be in Majorca with his wife. They are sure to get a tan! Uli in Berlin celebrates his 71st on the 6th followed by wife Petra on the 8th - but we do not know how old she will be! Daniel B. celebrates his 39th in Australia on the 9th, Dennis in California hits 63 on the 11th and will surely have a party with his wife and sons there. Neil Deane, lecturer and author will be 61 on the 13th and celebrate in Essen - sure to take time off from writing his new book, Matthew Bolton in Yorkshire will be all of 20 on the 14th. My great-nephew Henri L. will celebrate his 8th birthday with his family in the south of England on the 18th. My old business partner Mathias G. will celebrate his 54th on the 19th with his better half in a nice restaurant in Berlin. Peter L., who donates money to The Family, will celebrate his 55th with his partner on the 22nd in a nice small town to the east of Berlin. Birgit F., who advised me about office and financial matters for many years, will be 54 on the 24th and so ends our list of birthdays to celebrate.
                  HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE!

Beard 'n Bikes

At the end of my last post I said I was waiting for The Bros to arrive and that on Friday I was going cycling with Imre. On Thursday evening only Bro1 arrived. He said Bro2 was in bed fighting the flu. His parents and sis were all busy peering into various books and doing German homework!

We galloped to my local supermarket for him to stock up on crisps, fruit juice, snacks and pizza. All needed to make watching a DVD even better. He settled down in front of the screen with lots of juice and crisps. He wanted to watch the 3rd of the Jason Bourne films - and in English. He asked me a few times what some words meant but he could generally follow the dialogue.

At the end of the film it was time to tuck into a pizza followed by chocolate cream pudding. He decided to stay longer and watch another DVD. It was nice to spend time with him. We had time to talk to each other without cross-talking to other members of his family.

He asked me about his new beard. Should he keep it or not? I said he should if only to see how it grows and what he looks like. If he didn't like it he could later shave it off. He smiled at my answer for he clearly liked the logic. He decided to let it grow! We talked about his future plans for training courses before he put on his coat and left.

Yesterday was Good Friday and I had agreed to meet Imre at my local S-Bahn station at 10.30 am. He had cycled from home on the newest of his three bikes. It has lots of bags which he fills with bottles of juice, snacks, cameras (he also has 3 of them!) and extra warm clothes. He wanted to cycle to the local park for it has an area with all kinds of activities for children - and their parents. It is called Wühlheide. I have posted about it before.

One of its attractions is a large outdoor area containing a Model Park of the centre of Berlin. Well worth a visit when next in Berlin. Imre posed in front of a sign. He wanted to send the photo to his lady friend. You can see he looks very well and happy. We then went to the main area of the park. Here you can see the main building behind Imre. We decided to have lunch there. The restaurant was next to a swimming pool so we could see kids and their parents jumping in as we chewed on our lunch. It was really nice to see so many young families enjoying the facilities.

Later we landed at my place. Imre wanted to relax over cups of tea and cakes. Lots of talking before the sun began to set and he jumped on his bike and started the journey home. A very nice day. Hope you enjoyed your Good Friday.

Looking Back

I last posted a week ago so let me take you over the last seven days. You can always read about German politics and personalities on your computers or see on TV. This is just about things in my life in Berlin.  The weather did not break through into Spring although we officially entered Spring last Sunday. Put the clocks forward one hour. We also had more than one day of snow. Like most Berliners, I am more than ready for Spring.

Last Friday was as per usual but Saturday was special. In the morning I went to an eltabb supported workshop. Eltabb is the teachers association I co-founded in the early 1990s. The workshop was about how to write material for teaching/learners. Very interesting. It was followed by lunch then the AGM in the afternoon. I have always enjoyed going to the AGM and seeing how running the organisation has changed over time with a change of generation and facilities such as the internet.

That night I woke with a terrible pain in my left shoulder. I could hardly move my left arm/hand. I think I had turned in my sleep and pulled a bone out of joint. I managed to doze off but spent Sunday in pain and not able to do some things I had planned. I kept my Monday appointments and hoped the shoulder would heal itself. It didn't so I went to the Docs.

I got medicine to rub on the area twice a day plus a prescription for treatment. I have to wait 2 weeks for that at another practice. I also got a prescription for orthopädic treatment. Until now I have not been able to find a medical practice that will accept me as a new patient. In emergency I was told to go to the local hospital! Looks like the health service here is going the way of the NHS in Brexitland!

I thought I would cheer myself up on Tuesday evening by watching Germany play Brazil at football. Of course, I expected German to win after a struggle against Brazil. I was disappointed by how the German team played and they lost 0:1. Arnie the Ape was also disappointed as you can see in the photo!  Congrats to the Brazil team - they were simply better! Wednesday was spent visiting offices, handing over papers, shopping and then meeting a young lady who wanted Maria's old laptop. She liked it, paid for the new battery and left with a big smile :-))

During the week I got some nice emails and telephone calls. I decided to share one sent by Colin in Ozland. He was on a recent tour. See photo of his new 'wagon'. He then found a number of cars from 1957-58 (see first photo). He said they are called Holden which was the Australian division of GM, as was Opel in Germany and Vauxhall in the UK. Seeing those designs takes me back. Thanks Colin.

During the week I listened to BBC Radio 3 Composer of the Week programme. It was about Carlo Gesualdo (1566-1613). I confess I knew almost nothing about him. I was surprised by his music - mainly religious - and playing with sounds even to the point of disharmony hundreds of years before other composers advanced that area of music. He also had an interesting private life. Listen to the programme if you can and/or go to Wikipedia to read about the composer.

I'm waiting for The Boyz to arrive. They called on Tuesday to ask if they could visit and watch another DVD. I said yes. I shall take them to my local supermarket to buy fruit juice, crisps, pizzas and anything else to keep them happy as they relax and watch a film. Tomorrow I am meeting Imre for a bicycle ride but more of that later. Have a nice Good Friday!

Academia

It's snowing - again! And we are only 3 days officially into Spring. Fortunately I have no appointments or plans for today so I shall keep warm and continue to read my books. This is very different from yesterday.

I met Dr. Peter von Long-Legs at an academic gathering. I mentioned this at the end of my last post. It was really nice to see him again and looking so well - as you can see in this photo. His mother also came along and it was nice to chat to her again. It was a long academic session starting at 3 pm and ending at 8 pm with a reception and meal. There were two half hour coffee breaks so that made it bearable.

The event was sponsored by a foundation with historical links to the SPD and was held in one of two large cathedrals in the old centre of Berlin. We met in the Kirchensaal des Französischen Doms. You may want to look for more details on/in the internet. The topic was The Crises of Globalisation.  The hall was almost full, mainly of academics and research students.

There were four presentations given by professors from universities in different parts of Germany. The first was about the distribution of trade. The second was about who and why are there losers in Germany. I really liked the third one for it got me thinking. The title was Why Europe must be a Republic and the speaker gave a strong case for her argument. The final professor talked about Globalisation Perspectives.

I liked being again in the company of academics. I noted how many of them spoke to others in animated ways during the breaks and even with waving their arms about managed not to spill their cups of coffee! Thanks Dr. Peter for telling me about this event and I look forward to our next meeting.

Weekend Things

The weekend started with snow. Here is a photo of my back garden sleeping in snow. It was also cold so I stayed at home that evening. On Saturday the weather changed to wind and slightly warmer. The snow melted! I did the usual shopping for the weekend after I had finished cleaning.

What did I clean? The bathroom and kitchen floors! First with the vacuum cleaner in all the rooms then onto the balcony to find the cleaning equipment. I filled the bucket with very hot water and lots of liquid cleaner. A small break then new hot water with no additions and again over the floors. The tiles smiled at me for my hard work!

Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day so everyone in Ireland celebrated with an extra beer/stout. Irish communities in other countries/cities also held parades, played music, danced and generally had a good time. I bought something for my bathroom that day but nothing to do with St. Patrick. My father was also called Patrick.

Look at the photo and work out what it could be. The window? -- er, nooo......the toilet roll holder? ---- er, no, there are two but only one in the photo. I provide a service for those who are left handed and those who are  right handed :-))  The plant? --- er, no, that's been there for some time but I did put it into a larger pot on Friday. Okay, so you give up. The answer is the clock! On special offer so I bought one I could see even without my glasses!

This afternoon I am off to a meeting of residents in the housing association where I live. On Monday my McBook laptop will be 10 years old. A pensioner by computer standards. Colin in Oz has his birthday on the same day. On Tuesday afternoon I am meeting my SPD Oldies to visit a local museum to see an exhibition about the DDR in the district where I live.

From there I shall dash to a Berlin Labour Party meeting held in the next district. On Wednesday I am meeting Dr. Peter von LL at an academic conference in the Kirchensaal, Franzosischen Dom in the centre of Berlin. Friday evening offers a chamber music concert to prepare me for a booked out next weekend! Have fun cleaning your floors!

Oz and Blah

I recently got a nice E-mail from Colin who lives near to Sydney in Australia. This is commonly called Oz or Ozland rather like England is now becoming known as Brexitland!

He said he went on a walk with his walking group and had a visitor from Scotland. They walked from Coogee to South Marouba then around the Malabar headland on a beautiful autumn day in Sydney. He is now in Wangaratha in Victoria to visit friends and test his new 'wagon'. Thanks for the information Colin and the nice photos. Here is one. I think I have been to this bay/beach. Check out the names in case you plan to travel there this year.

This week is going as usual but I hear more Blah and Blah from native English speakers. All heard on BBC Radio 4 News in the last couple of weeks. Do you understand these comments and what is wrong with them?

He was a scrapbooker/he has been met with enormous success/it professionalises Parliament/ what we are hoping is/ is any of your models/to gain traction in an argument/children in food poverty/ around this marketisation/ what could they get nailed down/ we have to re-empower these communities/ it is absolutely very welcome/ it is an under count/ black folks are over-convicted.

I really wonder where the language is going. For example, we no longer talk about something, we now talk around something.  Now it is time for a nap after lunch. Keep smiling!

Mahler 6 Mystery

In my last post I ended by saying I was off to the Philharmonie to listen to Mahler's 6th Symphony and relax. Was that a mistake! Relax? No way! Phew, but it is a musical beast! I have just looked at my CD collection to discover I have all his symphonies except 6 and 7. Yesterday was the first time I had been to a live performance of the 6th.

I looked in my BBC Proms Guide to Great Symphonies and read an interesting review of the piece. Let me quote the introduction: " Ever since Mahler conducted the first performance of his Sixth Symphony in May 1906, commentators have tried to pin down what it is all 'about'". I think that sums up the piece very well.

The comment then goes on to say that many, "including his widow Alma, maintained that the Finale portrayed an individual's heroic struggle against implacable fate, symbolised by the three huge hammer blows that occur at strategic points throughout the movement. Yet the Sixth Symphony was written at the most fulfilled period of Mahler's life".

 He married Alma in 1902, wrote the 6th Symphony in 1903-4 and they had two daughters in that period. He conducted the first performance in Essen in 1906. So far so good, but in 1907 three things happened. Daughter Maria died, his contract as conductor at the Vienna Opera was not renewed, and he was diagnosed with a heart condition that would cause his death in 1911 = four years later! How can all that be interpreted into a piece of music he wrote in 1903-4? 

Back to my BBC book. It says, "The Sixth Symphony simply exists: disturbing in its nihilistic despair, yet ultimately attaining a true and monumental grandeur". Also that, "The orchestral forces are formidable". Is that an understatement! Finally we can read that, " The ending itself is perhaps the bleakest in all music". If you decide to go to a performance don't say I didn't warn you!! 

Gobbledygook

I recently got this from Birgit in Ozland. Many thanks Birgit! I have added the Plain English link to this blog. Go down to the bottom on the left to find it.

Triumph of gobbledygook : UNSW’s grand plan to remake the university, its ‘2025 Strategy’ has been gonged by a world authority — the UK plain English Campaign —whose recipients are recognised for their exemplary use of bad and confusing English.  Here is the winning passage, which valiantly attempts to explain something called a strategic matrix.

“The Strategic Matrix is intended to facilitate the cross-cutting interactions our staff and students are seeking in order to secure the benefits of linking across faculties, schools, divisions, disciplines and other organisational boundaries. The vertical axis — our Schools, Faculties and Divisions. The eight Faculties and Divisions, along with our Canberra campus and the 50 Schools within them form the vertical axis of the UNSW Strategic Matrix. The horizontal axis — our strategic priorities, themes and enablers. The three strategic priorities, which have emerged from the consultation — Academic Excellence, Social Engagement and Global Impact — and the eight themes that sit within them, along with our strategic enablers, form the horizontal axis of our Strategic Matrix.”

I hope that is all clear now :-))  Off to The Philharmonie in a couple of hours to relax with Mahler's 6th Symphony. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. 

Saving lives

In addition to Holger's book, the postal service delivered a letter from Brexitland. It was from Alan. As regular readers will know he is my oldest and dearest friend. We met when we were 16 at Leeds College. He later married Lynne and they started a family. I sent Jan to them when he was 11 and wanted to learn English. They are a wonderful couple who embrace anyone in need.

Inside the envelope was a photocopy of an article from The Times dated 24th February 2018. It was about a 29 year old man called Adrian Stewart. He had won a prize as the Best Newcomer at the annual Stud and Stable Staff Awards.

I hope you can read the headline of the story. It is: "Horses saved my life. I could not have got any lower down". He had been kicked out of school, walked out of home in Leeds and lived on the streets. Aged 15 he saw his best friend murdered who then died in his arms. There then began years of prison sentences for crimes such as drug dealing and dangerous driving.

Now for a special quote from the report: "It began with Alan and Lynne Bateson a retired couple who for 13 years ran Bible classes in the prison chapel at Wealstun prison in Wetherby. It was a fateful decision that was to change the course of his life and set him on the road to redemption." Alan saw information about a racing school on TV and contacted them. They agreed to meet Adrian and then accepted him as a trainee.

This changed his life. Well done Adrian and also to Alan and Lynne who helped and supported him in finding a new direction. Adrian is only one of many people they have helped in many ways over the years - and they are still doing it :-))

New Book

I got a nice surprise in the post yesterday. It was a book. It came from Holger in the town of Weyhe which is to the south of Bremen. Bremen is a city-state in the north of Germany and I used to live there, as regular readers will know!

In the last couple of summers I have gone there for a 'north-German' holiday and posted photos and stories about these visits on my blog. I hope to make it there again next August. I really like the town and the area. Very flat with half the population on bikes. On my last visit I noted the large number of 'seniors' travelling around on electric bicycles.

Holger is a member of a writing club. He has sent me books before containing  his stories. It's good to read and improve your German. Holger sometimes slips in some sentences in Plattdeutsch. In English this means Low German. In many areas of north Germany this is the language of daily communication. It is also the source of English!

Can I hear gasps of surprise at this statement? Yes, it is. Just find a book about the origins of English or look on the internet. You will also find it referred to as part of the West German family of languages. You will find it as the source of languages in The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Have fun researching the origins of the English language.

Holger is one of 23 writers who contributed to the book. The topic is murder and food recipes. An interesting combination. Holger's story is the first in the book with the title: Tante Ingeborgs gute Bremer Aalsuppe. I translate this as: Aunt Ingeborg's good Bremen eel soup. I wonder what it tastes like? 

 He also sent lots of information about tourism and things to see and do in the area. Good to know when I next visit. Now what are you going to eat for supper - a bowl of eel soup?

Red Roses

I had a great time this afternoon handing our roses to women to celebrate International Women's Day. We also distributed a special edition of a magazine written by women appealing to all women to get more involved in politics and make changes that benefit them.

All the women I gave roses to were very happy to take the magazine in addition to the rose. What I really like is when a women pushes a pram or walks with her daughter(s). When that happens I give the women a rose, put one in the pram and chat to her about her daughter. I then give the daughter a rose. What a nice big smile you see!

I could have spent all afternoon handing out roses but the numbers were limited. I took a photo of the gang I was working with. All are members of my local SPD branch and the new Chairperson is on the left of the photo. After that I went two stops on the tram to a computer shop and picked up the new battery for the 'old' laptop I told you about in an earlier post. It is now being charged as I type these words. Will test it tomorrow.

Special Day

Today is International Women's Day. Congratulations to half of the world population. Still some way to go for many before they can claim equality with men. This afternoon I am meeting a group of SPD members to present red roses to women passing by on their way home or from the local shops. Not the first time I have done this and I really like the look of surprise and pleasure on the faces of recipients.

Here is a photo of a happy young lady. You've seen her before with her family on this blog. She came with Papa and Bros1 and 2 last Sunday to my place. I had received a present for her including chocolates but she went straight to the painting book and coloured pencils. She has a real talent for drawing and use of colours.

They brought me a present. A large bowl full of a delicious rice dish. I gave Papa a black jacket I had been given by someone and it fitted him perfectly. A happy Papa! Bro1 had to do some homework and needed my help. When finished, I printed it out and The Bros asked to watch a DVD on my system. Of course, so they settled down on the sofa to watch a film.

Papa and Sis left as the film started. Later I made snacks for The Bros which they ate without taking their eyes off the screen! And so the evening arrived and they left. A nice day for all of us. Since then I have settled into my usual routine plus visited the doctor yesterday. The thumb problem I posted about before. I do not need an operation but have to take two tablets a day and have it checked again in a month. I'm off to the dentist in an hour so shall close by wishing all my female readers a very special and happy day!

How Smart

How smart are smartphone users? Here is a cartoon of 'smartphoners' not looking where they are walking. Thanks to Colin in Ozland for this and the other cartoon about modern smartphone culture.

I think I must be one of the minority of people on this planet without a smartphone. I do not know why people look into these things when they are walking on the street or even driving a vehicle. And I have heard their phones are on 24 hours a day. What about sleeping? Can't they turn the things off for 8 hours?

Back to the first cartoon. It says a lot about the dangers of using these machines. I often see women pushing prams while looking into a smartphone. I am sure you do as well. The number of times I cringe as they hit other people with the pram and even worse, they do not pay attention when crossing the road. I have no idea what we can do with such people to protect the child in the pram.

In this weather I go out with an old fashioned umbrella under my arm. Now it is not only to keep me dry but to protect me from smartphoners. They do not look where they are going so I have the metal point of my umbrella sticking out from under my left arm. Yes, the smartphoners get the painful point quickly as they crash into it - and not me!

The next cartoon is good. Sitting in the sun for hours and getting a very different tan-line! This cartoon is about the unthinking mass of users who harm no-one but themselves. The first cartoon is about dangerous social behavior and danger to others. How do you use your smartphone?

March 2018 Things

As we move into another month, it is very cold here. It's -7°C on my balcony at the moment but at least the sun is shining and there are patches of blue sky. All of Europe seems to be in the grip of a very cold spell at the moment. I note that a lot of snow has hit parts of Brexitland and many public transport services have been suspended.

Later I shall put on some very warm clothes and then venture out to go to a meeting at my local museum. They are monthly and discuss matters such as how to get more people to visit and the kind of exhibitions to show. Tomorrow evening I am going to a meeting of representatives of the housing association where I live. It is really preperation for the big AGM a week later.

Next week I shall be online to take part in the new Labour Germany Branch AGM. It is being held in Cologne but you can participate via internet/computer. On Sunday 11th I am going to the Philharmonie to enjoy a performance of Mahler's 6th Symphony. Looking forward to that!

The week after hosts my monthly Berlin Labour Party meeting followed next day by my monthly SPD meeting. On the 21st I shall be in the Franzosischen Dom with Dr. Peter to attend an academic conference about the crises of globalisation. The 23rd will see me at a chamber music concert and on the 24th I shall be at a worshop followed by the English Teachers' Association AGM. These are all in addition to my usual weekly activities. 

I include a photo I recently took of a view  towards the eastern districts of Berlin. In the DDR time, many blocks of flats were built just like these. One advantage is that they have grass and trees around them even if you cannot see this detail in my photo.

Who has a birthday in March? The answer is not many! Colin in Australia will celebrate on the 19th. Dr. Günter P. will celebrate with his family in Berlin on the 22nd. Dr. Bernd W. near Bernau will enjoy another birthday on the 28th and a very special lady called Johanna will celebrate with her family and friends in Berlin on the 31st March. I am sure I shall be there!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EACH AND ALL NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE!

Nice Presents

Last Thursday I met my 'Kowalke Gang' at a members home. As you probably know, we meet each month for a meal, a glass of something nice and catching up on news. This time Gerald was not with us. He is still in hospital. Not good :-((

The main dish was a delicious soup. I even had a second helping! One of The Gang gave me a bag with a pair of new shoes for the mother of 'The Family' and lots of coloured pens and activities for the daughter plus chocolates for each. You can see them in this photo.

Next day I went my 'Photoshop Gang'. This time a member of the group said she wanted to give her old laptop to 'The Family'. What a nice gesture! Stefan then removed all her material before handing it to me. At home later, I opened it and put it onto my wlan. It worked okay! I updated the security system and everything went well - except for one thing.

The laptop said the battery should be replaced. I have had it on charge but it is clear that it should be replaced. I found offers on the internet so that will not be a problem. I shall take it to the computer specialist, who works in my housing association, next Monday afternoon and let him check everything. If all is okay I shall contact The Family for a meeting. They do not know about these presents!

I would like all to be together to share the experience of giving the laptop to Bro1. Although the family is not allowed to have internet access or TV where they live at the moment,  they can go to a public library in the next street and access the internet. This will also help Bro1 with his school homework tasks.

My next job is to find an old laptop for Bro2. And then to find another one for little sister. Can't wait to see them smile as they get such nice presents! I shall of course share each with you.

Stefan Visit

Last Wednesday Stefan S. came to visit. He now lives in Halle although he still owns a flat in the north of Berlin. I went to Halle many years ago with Oldie Hermann, but I have forgotten the details. Everyone tells me it is a nice, interesting town with old architecture. I'll see that for myself in May when I visit. Yes, Stefan invited me to see the place and stay in his 'Schloss' = Palace. Looking forward to that.

I have known Stefan for as long as I have lived in Berlin. Many years ago I lived in Bremen and then planned to move to Madrid in Spain to teach at the British Council School. I never got there. I visited friends in Berlin to see their new born daughter. They told me about a flat in the east and that the British Council were advertising for teachers at a new school in Treptow - a district in the south east of Berlin. I applied and got a job there.

I also moved into the nice large flat in Marzahn in the north-east of the city. The friends knew Stefan through another friend and heard that he was looking for a place in Berlin. He then lived in Munich, the capital of Bavaria in the south of Germany. We met and I agreed to share the flat with him. One week later he arrived with his things and the motor of an old Peugot car which resided on a wooden support at the entrance to the flat. I said 'Hello' to it whenever I left or entered the flat :-))

And so we got to know each other. Stefan speaks perfect English for years before he lived and worked in England. He has never spoken German with me! Later he bought a flat in the north of the city and moved there, and nearer to his work. We have always kept in touch and visited each other for different events and parties. And so the years ticked by.

This time I met him at my local S-Bahn station as you can see in the photo. We then went to a nearby restaurant for lunch and catch up on news. I took him to a project where people with psychological problems are trained to cook and work as waiters. They offer a fixed lunch menu each day. Stefan was happy to go there and support the project. The food was also very tasty as you can see from the photograph. Note the words on Stefan's beer glass = 'Non-Alcohol'. I had a glass of red wine with my food.

I then took him on a tour of my area. Not far away from the restaurant is the local fire station. He really liked the architecture. It was one of the first to be built when my district was founded at the end of the 1890s. We then landed at my place for a coffee before he had to leave for his flat, pick up his car then drive back to Halle. A very nice day with a very interesting person. 

To Vote

The right to vote is now considered to be a fundamental right and one which defines a democracy. It was not always so as anyone who has studied European history will know.

Last Monday I found an envelope in my postbox. From the words on the envelope I knew immediately what was inside. It was from the SPD Central Office and contained information about how to vote Yes or No to the latest Gro-Ko Coalition Proposal. It is about creating another Grand Coalition with the CDU/CSU to form a government.

I do not normally report on political events in Germany on my blog.  I take it you get such information from your local radio/TV wherever you live. This decision, with national consequences, must be made by just over 465,000 SPD members.  I am one of them as you know. Members of the other two parties do not have the right to vote.

I opened the envelope and slowly read all the information. I then followed the instructions as to how to vote. Having done that, I  took it to my local post office. We shall know the result on the 2nd March 2018. I bet you are wondering how I voted. It's a secret and that is another valuable democratic right!

In the photo you can see the voting envelope and a special copy of the SPD magazine called 'vorwärts' which means forwards. The magazine contained 73 pages detailing the Gro-Ko Agreement. Phew, but was that a lot to read!