Lizzy's Little Island

still raining

2010-05-20T09:53:00.003+01:00

Two weeks have gone by in a blitz, and it's STILL RAINING!!! I can't believe it. We had constant rain in Zurich for 3 weeks now! Scotland seems like a sunny holiday place to go, compared with Zurich. Well, actually, that's what I'm going to do. I'm off to Scotland soon and I can't wait! The first proper holiday in a year. I didn't really go anywhere in 2009, after going through the phases from great job, to bad and then to worse job, plus a change in country. So, I think I deserve this one :) The new camera is ready, the golf clubs polished and the rucksack is packed. Bring on my holiday! Forget the Swissness and the rain. Halleluja.

Back to reality once again: Monday

2010-05-10T17:58:00.003+01:00

It's just another Monday after a weekend in the UK. Swamped with meetings, rain and tiredness. How could you not get depressed? Weekend was fab though, had one of the best nights out for years. So yeah, again, I had a great time, though it's nice to be back in my own bed I guess. Not that I got much sleep anyway. I just wish the volcano had struck again to keep me in the UK. Ah well..... can't have everything I guess.

Settling in

2010-04-26T09:07:00.003+01:00

The last few weeks have been quite eventful with the icelandic vulcano outbreak and the flight bans. I had to change my flights and cancel my hire car but in the end it wasn't too bad. I just went to play golf and cycle around some lake nearby. I'm in desperate need for my UK fix now though. But slowly enough I'm settling into my new life in Switzerland. I have a nice little flat with sometimes a bit noisy neighbours but overall it's good value for money and as central as you can get. I have english telly - wooohoo!!! I got my motorbike over now as well, so hopefully I'll be enjoying some rides into the swiss alps very soon. And of course the golf - I'm only allowed to play the very short academy courses over here, which is rather annoying, but at least I can swing the club every now and then. And I have enough money for my trips to the UK and Germany. Still can't get used to the Swissness, but all in all I guess I'm doing fairly well at the moment. The sun helps a lot of course! :)

Treacherous tram lines

2010-04-10T13:33:00.003+01:00

It's the weekend again :) Finally. It's been a somewhat long week. I crashed my new bicycle the other day... by getting the tyres caught up in the tram lines. Damn this. Where's the English Health & Safety when you need it? Thank god I only ended up with a few bruises. My bike has quite a few scratches :( a pedal was broken and the disc brakes seem to have got a hit as well. Great. How to trash an expensive road bike? Just take it to Zurich and try to cycle on a road. Treacherous tram lines. Ruined my weekend a bit, as I was going to go for a little tour out of Zurich. That will have to wait now I guess. But there's still some golf. My arms still hurt from the fall but I'm hoping to be able to play a few holes. Also this weekend the US Masters are on TV. Great to see Tiger Woods back on track and some Englishmen at the top of the leaderboard. Nicely done.

Zurich itself is still quite boring. Nobody seems to come and want to visit. And I can't blame them, neither family nor friends. There's nothing "exciting" to absolutely wanting to show everyone. Thinking of London and Kent, there was the seaside... oh I miss the seaside now that the spring is coming...and the many cheap public golf courses to play on, the old listed buildings, castles, houses and gardens and of course London itself, with all its variety of markets and atmosphere. When I think of Zurich, it's just blank. Bleak really. Maybe I could go onto the Uetliberg or take the boat across the lake for the umpteenth time. Damn this is boring.

Anyone, any ideas? Anything exciting in Zurich that I haven't seen yet?

V again

2010-04-01T17:09:00.002+01:00

What a nice day. Four days of no work to look forward too. It's snowing again in Zurich but it's too warm for it to stay. So despite the dark grey clouds my mind is very much on four days off school, playing a bit of Golf and playing some on the Wii indoors.

Didn't I say I was never going back to V Festival??? I just got two tickets for this year's V. Because Kings of Leon are playing. I was so desperate to see them last year, but didn't get a chance. So this can't be missed. It's going to be a hell of a trip, three days, fly over, hire a car and get some decent accommodation. Yes, I ain't going to be sleeping in a tent at V again. It's ok for Latitude, but not V again. I just can't wait! It's gonna be a blast.... whoever will accompany me on this.

Anyways... I wish you all a Happy Easter and a successful easter egg hunt ;)

Thrill me

2010-03-28T10:44:00.003+01:00

My cold is slowly slowly disappearing. I got on my bike yesterday, even made it to the lake for a hot chocolate in the sun. I also managed to write my second iPhone App this week. Of course it's nothing special and not on the app store, but I'm getting there slowly :) I have a few ideas...

Anyways, the spring is here and summer is not far away... meaning, Latitude 2010 isn't far away either. I can't wait for a long weekend of music, comedy, fun and hopefully some sun. Here's my current playlist for Latitude 2010:

- Vampire Weekend, Rodrigo y Gabriela (very good instrumental guitar music), The Horrors, Florence and the Machine, Empire of the Sun, Belle and Sebastian, Temper Trap... and a few more :)

But until then there's quite a few things happening in between. Of course the odd weekend in London and in Kent playing golf and going out, a few bicycle rides, and hopefully I get my motorbike registered soon. The weather has been very promising the last two weeks. And then there's a week's trip to Scotland in May which I can't wait for either. I've been planning to go there for years now. Finally it's happening. For next year I'm intending on going to Southeast Asia. The idea initially was to go to the Maldives for two weeks, but to be honest, I can do that until I'm too old to travel. But going for a road trip in Southeast Asia I'll probably not do once I've settled down somewhere... just in case I ever will.

Also for this year I'm participating in a "Thriller Flash Dance" in Zurich. We just had out first session and it's really cool. It'll happen some time this year, somewhere in Zurich. Probably not as big as the TMobile Mob Dance in Liverpool Street Station but it's gonna be a blast ;) For a taste of what it's going to be like, check out the Thriller Flash Dance on the Tube in London. I can't wait to do this somewhere in the middle of Zurich. I wonder whether the swiss will be less reserved than the English ;) We'll see....

How to shake off a cold

2010-03-26T21:26:00.003Z

By now I'd be really interested in how to shake off this cold. I've been suffering all week. It's Friday night and I still feel like I was hit by a truck. My head aches, my nose is still blocked and I'm constantly tired. I haven't had a cold for such a long time in ages. It's Friday night and the only thing I want to do was watching an 80s movie (Wall Street was the pick of the night) and go to bed early.

I coded another small iPhone app again today. My second one after the Hello World from last week. It keeps me awake. Being ill is seriously boring. But I'm even too tired to read and write now.

At least it's raining outside though. Doesn't make me feel as bad about it. Good Night.

Did I say Spring?

2010-03-24T12:21:00.003Z

It's nearly summer-like in Zurich. It's around 17-20 degrees this week and it's not even April yet! And if that wasn't enough, I'm down with a cold again. It's really not nice being stuck at home with this kind of weather outside, and a new road racing bicycle parked on my balcony. I want to get out and about!!! But this cold has been really bad and I'm constantly tired. Hardly been in the office this week and not been to the gym for a week again. And guess what, they forecast rain and lower temperatures for the weekend. Of course! Hopefully we won't have snow for Easter again. But I'm grateful I can finally see that they have blue sky in Switzerland. Makes a change from that dreadful grey of the last months. I have this vision in my mind, of a Friday afternoon, me cycling home from work on my cool new bicycle and then jump on to my even cooler motorbike and go off into the mountains for a day. Roll on the summer...

It feels like Spring...

2010-03-19T14:12:00.004Z

... maybe it is the spring already? The sun is out. It's Friday afternoon. What a glorious day..... to spend in the office. Yes, that's the downside of it. The blinds are down, so you can actually read anything on your screen. But I have the window open and I can hear the birds singing already. Beautiful. I'm looking forward to more sun tomorrow, probably some drinking tonight and tomorrow night and maybe a few on Sunday night. I really should go and do some photography or hiking or so. It's far too nice to spend the time at home or the office. Mind you... they forecast rain for Sunday.

But hold on, am I really talking about the weather? Christ. Ok, wheather is nice.

Zurich looks better when the sun is out. Still can't see the point. I miss my little daily walk along the Thames at my holiday resort like Greenhithe with the view to the industrial Essex side of the Thames. And the golf. Oh my, this would be a great weekend for a round of golf in the Kentish countryside. I can't wait to get my clubs in two weeks! And my motorbike needs to come out as well. Oh joy, finally the grey winter days in Zurich seem to be over :)

Hello World

2010-03-15T21:28:00.002Z

Oh what a day. I've only just completed my first ever own iPhone application. I haven't been coding anything for years now. So a simple "Hello World" program in Objective-C was actually quite a small victory for an old Java amateur like me. Reminds me of the good old days at university, without any pressures of exams of course. Well, I'm not sure whether this coding will take me anywhere, but I'll give it a shot. It can't be that difficult.......!?!?!

Back to Reality

2010-03-15T08:35:00.003Z

Monday mornings are generally not my favourite, but especially not after a good night out. I went to see THE HURT LOCKER last night and it was excellent! Probably not everyone's cup of tea and a bit lengthy to say the least, BUT it was very captivating, honest and gruesome. Someone asked me if one of the scenes were realistic, e.g. a human bomb, which was displayed as a dead child that was cut open and a bomb was placed inside him. Christ! There are even worse things happening in this world. Not that it would make this any better. But I guess we're living in a very privileged world. And I'm complaining about the fact that the cinema didn't sell popcorn. How dare they!

Well, anyways... I'm back in Zurich. Having spent the last week in London, I'm feeling a little tired. But it was bags of fun. Can't wait to go back in a few weeks. Escape dulltopia yet again. In the meantime I got myself a few photography/design/programming books to keep me occupied. And of course some "Just Dance" sessions, spinning at the gym and some nights out will be good. Back to reality...

What's here to love?

2010-03-05T10:09:00.005Z

I can't wait to go to London for a week now. Having spent 6 months in Switzerland now, I'm seriously bored. Yes, there are a few events and you could go skiing if you wanted to, but I'm not a skier. The nights out can be quite boring, the swiss people rather arrogant and you always bump into the same expats. Even worse if it's people you'd rather not ever see again in your life. But Zurich is a village!!! Get me outta here! Seriously... I booked so many trips out of Switzerland for 2010, it's concerning. I'm glad to live right in the heart of Zurich, very close to the train station... but more for the reason to get out of here as soon as possible. Apart from the gym and the job I have not found good reasons to like this place. Everything is a bit sterile, everything runs efficiently and I can't believe I'd ever say such a thing, but I miss the long commute and the late trains and the humorous bickering and moaning of everyone. I don't get to read any books anymore and I don't get to moan about the train journey anymore. Something is wrong. Everyone here seems so "happy" about everything, it's scary. Everyone is just so "super-cool" - the girls run around in baggy jeans and hoods and if you wouldn't know you might mistake some of them for a boy. But that's just a fashion/culture thing over here I guess. Weird. Or am I getting older? Probably both!

Currently my real joys are the sun (thank god, finally there is some sun in this country), the gym, the UK television, my new camera, the prospect of hiking, motorbiking and playing golf as soon as the spring is out. Job is not quite what I was looking for but I should try and stay positive (who am I kidding? I'm telling myself this for the last 6 months), meet some less boring people.. maybe that'll strengthen my love to this new country.

I can't deny it, I'm searching "desperately" for something to really like over here that I could not live without if I was moving anywhere else. I guess it all comes down to personal expectations but any suggestions are welcome ;)

My brand new toy

2010-02-28T09:20:00.005Z

It's only just 2 months into the new year.... and this year so far has been quite emotional, depressing, disappointing, moving but also exciting at times. But I'm staying positive and hope something good will come out of all of it. I've finally booked some flights to Scotland. I've been wanting to go there for years now. And yes, I have bought myself a brand new toy! It's an EOS 7D, together with my 70-200 f4 lens it accounts for some amazing pictures. I really love it and I guess you can expect some pretty decent pictures from Scotland later this year. I'm also planning on going to South-East Asia next year. But it's still early days....... here are some pics from Winterthur this weekend - my first shots with the 7D - mostly portraits, as there was nothing really that interesting in Winterthur:

(click for more pictures)

And a big Welcome to the SPRING of 2010 to you!

2010 and I'm back to life!

2010-02-24T13:40:00.002Z

All right, ok, I give in. I've been asked by a few people why I've taken the Blog off my website. My simple answer is, I didn't really had anything to write about that I wanted to reveal in public. There was a death in my family, so I have not been myself for some time. But there have also been some fun days and hell, if I would tell you about all those men stories I've had in the last 3 months alone, I could probably make a film of it - with the title "About kissing frogs that turn into toads". But I won't.

Instead I'll bore you with a very belated HAPPY NEW YEAR :)

Zürich is coming to life, very slowly. It's not even March yet, but it feels a bit like the Spring is coming on. It's sunny and warm-ish 10 degrees. Christmas seems like a long time ago, but I have also done myself some good and bought my long awaited dream of a lens, the Canon 70-200 f4 IS USM. Now my DSLR EOS 400D is a bit dwarfed and I'm thinking of getting the new Canon EOS 7D. But still, the 400D together with the new lens accounts for some amazing pictures, e.g. from Fasnacht in Zurich last weekend. It was a great parade, much better than the ones I know from Germany. There was more style and colour... very nice for a photographer like me ;)

(click on the picture for more pictures from Fasnacht in Zurich)

It's freeeeezing cold!

2009-12-19T21:28:00.003Z

If you think it's cold in London at the moment, come over to Zurich and you know what cold is. Over night we had quite a bit of snow and now it's -12 degrees, feeling like -18 with the wind. I went out for some photography tonight and I can honestly tell it wasn't much fun. It was absolutely freezing cold! So glad I'm home now, warm and cozy...

Here are some of the good pics though:

NYE is looming

2009-12-18T14:29:00.004Z

Everything is slowing down for Christmas and New Years Eve and as a Single it's kinda the same like every year... go to spend some time with the family, eat lots of food and then back home to find out what to do for NYE. Every time you move, you'll have this problem to find new friends or just people to go out with and have fun. For all the others who are new in Switzerland, I can recommend:
http://www.meetup.com/ (the Zurich Socializing group is quite good)
http://www.englishforum.ch/ and
http://www.glocals.com/.

All of which are good communities, some weird, some normal people, but it's a start to meet some other expats. And I'm not looking to meet more swiss people. They seem to be all a bit introvert and sorry to say, but boring when it comes to going out. And I have spent quite a few boring events in London with German people, I'd rather stick to another kind of crowd when it comes to going out. So this year, for NYE I'll do just that.. meet up with some expats, drink lots and just have fun. It can't be worse than NYE in London ;)

The beginning of a new decade

2009-12-14T14:59:00.004Z

What a manic weekend. Been out both nights, Friday and Saturday. And burnt the alcohol off afterwards in the gym. I wonder if there's something like an addiction to the gym. I've signed up with quite a few gyms throughout the last years and always cancelled after I went a few times and never again.

Don't know why it works for me now, but I have been to the gym very regularly for the last 4 weeks. Maybe it's because it's really nice to get away from everything and just do something for myself, or the fact that I don't have to talk to anyone for a change and just get all the daily sh*t out of my system. I thoroughly enjoy the Shadow Kick Boxing and the Spinning courses. I hope it'll last. I'd really like to get as fit as ten years ago again. I know it's not very realistic, but even coming close to that would be great.

I can't believe it's nearly Christmas already. What a year. So many changes in my life. I wonder where I will be in a few years time. Not that I was really giving it much thought to be honest. I never have. I always did what my guts were telling me was right. And so far, I made a few bad but also a few more good decisions. In comes a bit of luck as well of course. Being at the right time, at the right place and in the right situation helps a lot.

It's nearly the end of the first decade in the new millennium and I'm surprised it went so fast. Pretty much exactly ten years ago I was studying and wondering what would be and where I would be in 2010. I actually don't know yet, but it looks like I'll be starting the new year in Zurich, Switzerland. Who would have thought..... ten years ago.

To the next decade!

wearing off

2009-12-09T10:09:00.002Z

It's sunny. First time in weeks! And I had a good nights sleep twice in a row this week. That can't be coincidence. I went to the gym and have lots of stuff planned for the coming weeks. So yeah, I'm on a high! The UK homesickness is wearing off slowly. However I'm going home again in January and I'm planning on going to our UK office early next year for a week or so as well. Just to get my monthly dose of the London buzz :)
As for Switzerland, it's still the same, nothing has changed much. Apart from the weather. But I'm guessing it won't last. According to my colleagues, this greyness will last well into the next year. Oh joy! But I hope to get out of Zurich when the snow has hit the ground and go check out the alps. It's about 1.5 hrs to get to Braunwald/Klausenpass, which is an area where you can't get to with cars apparently. I kind of imagine it to be a lot more tranquil and peaceful than most skiing resorts. I do like a bit of skiing, winter sun and walking in the snow, but I really can't stand the crowds and noise and apreski and all that entertainment frenzy. But the world would be boring if I wouldn't have something to moan about ;)

homesick... again... still!

2009-12-07T07:47:00.002Z

I've just come back from my London weekend. It was mostly sunny and one thing I noticed was the morning sunshine, that wakes you up gently. That just doesn't exist in Zurich. Here, it's just dark, all day, I fear maybe even all winter long. When I woke up in Greenhithe on Friday morning it was one of those typical Kentish winter mornings, crisp and cold but sunny and bright. A very warm welcome to the start of the weekend. I went into town and I was staying at the Hilton at Tower Bridge for the rest of the weekend. So far, it has been the best hotel I stayed at in London. I had a room with absolute peace and quiet and even managed to sleep in til midday, which is btw half a miracle in London. I met some friends, went shopping for a bit. I spent half a fortune in Accessorize. Had lots of two and three course meals and a decent amount to drink as well. It was good to see some of the folks again, but it was even harder to leave yesterday, knowing I won't be back until mid January for the Billy Connolly gig.

Now I'm pretty homesick. From the minute we landed I just wanted to go back. Arriving at my flat with my noisy neighbour upstairs who kept me awake until early morning just didn't help either. He apologized when I knocked at his door just past midnight, but it didn't help much. You can hear everything in this flat. I can't wait to get out of it. It was a stupid idea in the first place and I should have taken the nice, quiet and sunny flat in Nordstrasse, which I didn't take because I thought I was moving together with someone and it would be too small. Great thinking. Ah well, now I'm stuck with this shitty little dark noisy flat. Only bonus is, it's very close to everything. Still, if you can't sleep at night because it's noisy and you won't wake up in the morning because it's just not getting bright, that's when you seriously need to consider moving again. Yes, I have moved three times already in the last three months, but I can't help it. Earplugs don't work, white noise don't work, lots of booze doesn't work... you still hear every fart he makes upstairs and next door.

Ah well, rant over, back to work...

Ready for the weekend

2009-12-03T08:12:00.004Z

... all packed and ready for the weekend. Just a few more hours until I'm off to my old home town again. Can't wait!

Maybe it's the arrival of the weekend I've been looking forward to for weeks that is making me feel quite energetic this week. It's like non-stop at work and at home but without feeling stressful. It's actually quite enjoyable. Going to the gym now regularly proves to be a beneficial thing too. The only really depressing thing at the moment is the weather of course. It's hardly ever sunny and it's just dark, all day long. The weather in the UK in the winter is definitely better, sunnier most of the time. Of course the forecast is rain for this weekend, how could it be anything else ;) but it's gonna be fun anyway. The other thing I will actually change, next year hopefully, is this warm but ridiculously dark and small north facing apartment that I've got now. I'm not looking forward of moving again, but I think if I stay there it might get dangerous for my upstairs neighbour. I managed to sleep a good 7 hours last night without being woken up, a new record. But that must have been an exception.... maybe he was a little tired of moving furniture around and smashing things to the floor. Can't wait to have a few good nights' sleep in a London Hotel. Oh yeah... I'm on holiday :D

Picking myself up again

2009-11-29T19:44:00.002Z

Things you do when you have recovered from days of lying around at home, aching and feeling sorry for yourself. Yes, I did go out last night, a bit careful on the drinks side, just in case those anti-flu-drugs would take its toll. But I still had a fab night out on just a few panache. That's a "shandy" for those non swiss-speaking :) and I made a few new friends.
It's somewhat interesting, that in life in general, every time you think you're stuck, there's something else that will come along and pick you up. Thinking back a few years when I came to London for the first time, it surely was a different feeling. I was full of energy and hope and happiness. I still remember being on that bus 55 back from work to the east end, I didn't get a seat and had to stand upstairs. But you know what, I was as happy as larry. I had the London bug, felt the buzz of the town and saw all the opportunities of the world around me. A few years later, I might not have felt as strongly about London anymore, but now that I'm away I remember all those times. All the people I met, all the fun nights I had and the ups and downs. Life in London is like a rollercoaster. I do miss the thrill now being here in Zurich.
But I guess it's a lot about yourself. Life in Zurich is very different and it's hard work getting used to it. Making the effort to go out and meet new people, new opportunities, new adventures. Swiss people don't seem to be very crazy, adventerous, etc but there's a hell of a lot of expats out here, which are just making my time here a lot more fun. So yeah, I do miss London a lot!! But I'm just picking up on my own life again. Getting out there and make the best of it..... in the most convincing voice... errr.... yeah :) Good Night.

Things you do when you're ill

2009-11-28T14:17:00.003Z

No I don't think I got the swine flu, but I might as well. Poor little me is feeling rather ill at the moment. I was supposed to go for a curry night with some of the expats here in Zurich, but I was grounded thanks to a sore throat. So I had loads of time sleeping, feeling sorry for myself, watching lots of movies and the last season of Heroes and finally reviewing my website. It's not a big difference but I created a new page with my best Photography:

http://miss-lizzy.com/gallery/

So check it out... I'll go and watch another movie now.

... severely homesick!!!

2009-11-13T18:25:00.005Z

Not sure whether I already mentioned it, but I'm feeling seriously homesick. I miss my friends and my little quiet house in Greenhithe. I miss riding my motorbike and my car. Oh my poor little car that had to go when I moved away. sigh. Everything seems to disjointed over here.
And I don't know why but I've been feeling constantly tired and drowsy for a few weeks now and the doctor can't find what the hell is wrong with me. I like my new job, it's good fun, but it's more of feeling pity for people that have been working like they do for ages. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice bunch of people, charming, but total chaos and you wouldn't believe how slow they work. Some are still in the stone-age. Not sure whether it's a swiss thing or whether I've spent too much time in american companies but I'm constantly shaking my head in utter disbelief how slow they are, how inefficient they think and work. Anyway, I don't think I'm 'stressed' because of work. My private life has been a bit up and down in the last three months. Having gone through yet another unsuccessful relationship in fast motion leaves me more and more indifferent to any matters of the heart. And I'm severely missing my friends and the coziness of my little house in Greenhithe. Yeah, fair enough, I'm living in a small apartment 5 min walk from the main train station of Zurich, 20 min door to airport and 15 min door to office desk, but I don't like apartments. It's better than a flatshare but it's still not ideal and quiet enough. No, it's not the traffic, it's the neighbours. I thought they would build better houses here... they even got a bloody bunker in this house with walls as thick as an english two bedroom house. But I can still hear my neighbours moving their furniture around every morning and evening when I'm trying to catch up with some sleep. One good thing is though that it's very nice and warm in here, I hardly have to heat at all. It's about 5 degrees outside and I've got about 24 in here with the heating set on 1 out of 5. Amazing. But actually, it makes me wonder just how cold does it get over here??
I went to the lake today, we had a lovely blue sky and the mountains were topped with snow already. And before that I went to the gym which has a spa. So I booked a half day gym&spa package. I did some work in the cardio arena and then went to a 50 minute spinning class. Hell!!! First timer, little me gave her best, getting off the bike with a lobster-red face. Yes indeed. My ex-ex-ex-ex...etc would have laughed his head off. Never mind. There's always first times for everything. And as the cycling shorts I bought were incredibly expensive (as they don't do shorts in winter and they were the last ones left) I guess I'll have to go again.
After this rather exhausting hour, I went on to the spa and a massage. It was some 85 francs well spent, but I must say I'm rather knackered now.

Note to myself: Should do more photographing over here, but apart from today it's been pretty dark, cloudy and grim. I just hope the winter will be better. I haven't seen the sun for weeks now, I almost had to get the sunglasses out today...

weekdays and -ends

2009-10-19T10:05:00.004+01:00

After an ever so short weekend (this time in Hamburg), I'm feeling a little tired. After a few minor rows at work this morning with some people who can't think any further than from paper to wall, I'm looking forward to going home today. Even though I'm expecting a complete mess, especially in my kitchen, it still is my own place with my own fast internet.Probably going to watch some BBC show catch-ups and have an early night. This jetting around Europe, moving house and starting a new job and relationships is rather stressful. One should never change more than one variable at a time, but of course I wouldn't listen. And I'm still suffering of homesickness, I miss England. Maybe more the friends and the easygoingness. It's difficult to make friends if you're working all day every week and then you're not even in the country on the weekends. But this seems to be the Zurich style of living. I've met quite a few people, most of which are not in Zurich on the weekends. Maybe I'm totally en vogue, but it feels exhausting.

Different, very....

2009-10-16T15:55:00.003+01:00

I just read that the inventor of the Brompton bike has earned a royal award. Fantastic news I think. I love my Brompton and more than in London, in Zurich, which seems to be the city of "velos" as they call them here, it's a small miracle. Everywhere you go with this, people are amazed by how small it folds. Makes me think that I actually don't want a bigger cycle. I just can't break my little Brompton's red aluminium heart ;)

And the other news is, I've finally moved into my own small apartment, right in the centre of town and it's warm and cozy!! Yes, it's 5 degrees celsius outside and with only a medium heat of the radiators I'm able to have a sauna at home. Fantastic!

I've discovered over the weekend that the house I live in has got a bunker. Yes, you heard right, a proper bunker that was built underneath the building I live in. Apparently this used to be a requirement for every house built in Switzerland some time ago and in some counties, or cantons as they call them, it still is. Why the hell would the swiss have built bunkers I asked myself? Completely obvious, one of my swiss colleagues replied, they are too close to Germany and they are scared, still. And the joining of East and West Germany made the threat even worse.
Huh?
I never heard of such a threat, but there you go. The swiss are a bit paranoid ;) but very efficient. Check this, every house built after the second world war should have a bunker. I'm impressed and amazed. The bunker underneath my house can hold up to 136 civilists. It has a shower, beds and a toilet. I bet if I was in England they would split the cells and rent this out............. lol.

I'm off....

One Month later...

2009-10-02T12:42:00.000+01:00

It's been just over a month that I arrived in Zurich. Time seems to be flying by, just as it did in London. So many new things to see and do. Most of my weekends I spent in Germany and the UK though, visiting friends and yes, a new man in my life. Well, it's too early to tell, but important enough to mention. So much has changed this year, it's like starting all over again. I didn't do too badly last time around, so here's me hoping for a great time in this new country. I'm constantly physically tired, but my mind is still hungry for everything new. To keep the buzz going, I'll be moving into a new flat next week, right in the centre, including London prices. But it's a good starting point to get to know the city and the people. I can't wait!

Grüzi and Welcome to Zürich

2009-09-11T08:43:00.005+01:00

Finally, I've done it. I left the UK 2 weeks ago, moving all my stuff over to Germany and then onwards to Zurich with a minimum of stuff to survive, and yes, all my shoes had to go with me. Moving out was interesting. Not only did I count over 50 pairs of shoes and quite a few handbags, I also found this exercise very liberating. Leaving the UK definitely wasn't easy but a life in Switzerland doesn't seem to be too bad either. And starting all over again is always worth the effort. It's a bit of an adventure to go to a new country and build up a new life from scratch, without any help. You'll learn a lot about the local rules and habits of the people.

The Swiss are a little strange but very relaxed yet reliable. A bit of a mixture between the English and the German (ooops :) - nicely ambiguous like the English but reliable as the Germans. Not sure everyone would agree, but that's my point of view. It has probably been mentioned loads of times but honestly, everything is running very smoothly and even the busses are on time! Just don't try to get into a car. That's where the pain starts. A bike isn't too bad either, but I haven't brought mine over yet as I don't have a place to keep it warm and protected in. But public transport is pretty good. If you pass the main train station in a tram, the display in the tram will show you when the next trains are leaving the train station and from which platform. Same for the airport. When you arrive, the bus that takes you to the terminal has a display that will tell you where your baggage will arrive. Now that's what I'd call efficient.

But to keep a little bit of Englishness and bore you with some nonsense, the weather has been very pleasent. Yes, I know, I'm already feeling a little homesick, especially missing my house in Greenhithe and the peace and quiet around there. But I'm certainly not missing my long commute to work and the 5 or even 4am alarms to get up and go to work in the middle of the night. Currently it's taking me 25 minutes door to door, but if I find a flat in the right area I might be able to cut that down to 15 minutes. It's quite amazing how you can live in a nice leafy neighbourhood and be at work in just a few minutes. It's not cheap but If I'd try and do that in London I'd probably pay a little more. I'm still looking and hunting for flats. Unlike in London where you'll easily find something if you are not on a tight budget, it's much more difficult in Zurich. It's rather that there aren't enough flats around to keep up with demand. I couldn't believe it when I saw the statistics on wikipedia that Zurich has only got 350 000 inhabitants. It feels like a city with all its buzz and vibrance, yet it feels like a small town where you can cross from one end of the city to the other on a bike in about half an hour.

There's loads and loads of new things and I must admit that it is all a bit too much at times. New country, new language, new home, new people, new job and a lot of input. So far it has been a tiring but positive journey. Only annoying thing is that facebook isn't available at work and I still haven't been able to get hold of a new iPhone. Looks like the swiss do like queuing as well....... errrr.

The Swiss German is very amusing too. I was confronted with loads of meetings in Swiss German right from the beginning and I think so far I have done well in understanding everything - however I do feel a bit weird answering in a standard German, it just doesn't sound right. The language spoken here varies in a lot of different accents and slangs and so far I have had no problems with the Swiss German spoken by people from Zurich, but I have my difficulties with some from Basel, Valais and Ticino... but I'm getting used to it - just as I got used to the sarrff-east slang, innit!

:)

The morning after

2009-08-24T08:56:00.002+01:00

VFestival was wicked, but kinda glad it's over. It was just a little too crowded for my taste, and then Oasis cancelled (not that I wanted to see them), but I also couldn't watch the Streets or Lady Gaga as they were set up in the Arena which was then closed due to overcrowding. So we left the festival prematurely. But there were two highlights to the Festival, Pendulum and The Human League. Both really great. The Killers were ok, but a little boring. Anyway, I'm glad I had a nice hot shower last night to wash all the dirt off. Wasn't too bad all in all, but I'd prefer Latitude, much more relaxed.

VFestival - 1 hr to go

2009-08-21T08:04:00.002+01:00

My last weekend in England and it's gonna be a wicked one at the VFestival!
It's nearly time to leave - Finally after almost 5 years I have managed to get some tickets. Departure in 1 hr and I can't wait! The Line-Up is looking fantastic and even though I'm not super-keen on camping I'm sure it's gonna be a good laugh and the weather gods seem to be with us too. 23 degrees and some sunny spells, all you can ask for :)

Time for a change

2009-08-10T22:31:00.003+01:00

Almost 5 years ago I arrived in the UK for an 'adventure' - for some time off from the normal life in Germany. What I found was more than just an adventure, it was a new life, love, friends and a career. Yes, of course, there were ups and downs and I sometimes might sound as if I had more downs than ups, but people who know me, know that I really like living here.

However, there comes a time when you are ready for a change, and now is mine. After having been made redundant thanks to the credit crisis, my current job has turned out to be a nightmare and after careful consideration I have decided that it is time to move on. After only 6 months I have handed in my resignation today. It wasn't easy, but I had to do it. I was never someone to just tag along and let life slip through their hands. I need to move things, change things, invent things, lead things, enjoy things, celebrate things, and LIVE - coz I ain't no robot!

So where am I going from here? As I said, I'm diving into a new adventure, taking the next step into the unknown, into a new country, into Switzerland. Starting new all over again. As much as I'm excited, as much I'm sad about leaving.

I can feel a lump in my throat thinking about one of these very first moments of my time in London, standing on the upper deck on Bus number 55 leaving Oxford street, back home to Hackney after a day of work as a young graphic designer. Watching the people sitting in the packed bars and cafes and pubs along the road - it's a sunny day in April and I have a smile almost tattoed to my face - feeling absolute happyness - despite the fact that I was having to stand up for over an hour. I knew this was the right place to be.

And now I'm sad to leave it. Having moved around Germany quite a lot, never having the feeling of being at home anywhere, I have found "home" in the outskirts of London's suburbia, in Kent. Home is where your heart is they say... so I'm hoping my heart will follow me wherever I go :)

I have met great people in the last few years, most of which I probably don't see very often anymore... but all of which have brought mostly happyness, fun and insight to me. Whether it was going out for one fab party after another or helping when good advice was needed.

I have no idea what to expect, as per usual, I'm walking into things with an innocent, yet critical, but open mind, just see where it will take me and make the best of things.
It's been an awesome time!!! And I hope I'll be back in a few years ;)

I'm missing the UK already! The crappy weather, the short and noisy nights, the drunk in my local pub, the pin striped army crossing London Bridge on a foggy autumn morning, the drunk ladies at night on bare feet walking home, the mini skirt and flip flops in winter, the sudden stop of all transportation because of leafes on the tracks, the tube weekend works, the sunny walks at the river Thames, the days out golfing with friends, the cheap and cheerful curry take-aways, the rainy festival days, the roundabouts, the crazy cab drivers, my house and garden, the lovely accent in the sarff east, the daily fight of the girls for a seat on the train, Marmite (oh yeah) and all the other good English food, like English breakfast (yummy), Pimm's & Lemonade, my friends and I would have never dreamt of saying this but the pub culture, and so many many more things...... oh dear!!!

But I'm sure I'll find some new things to like in Switzerland as well ;)

Watch this space

2009-07-28T21:34:00.004+01:00

Sorry for the lack of updates recently folx... I've been kinda busy but I can't talk about it. Top Secret!

If you believe in horoscopes, and of course I don't ;) I could tell you now that I have been told a big change in my life is lying ahead of me in August. I usually just read them for the fun of it, but this year it might have been right. I can't say much yet, but just watch this space...

It's like riding a bike

2009-05-19T17:44:00.002+01:00

Sometimes you just hold your breath in life, keen to know what's going to happen next, but also too scared to ask - just in case it turns out being the wrong decision, or even worse, making the same mistake again. There's always some parts of your life that will be instable, or at least for most people. If you have no unbalanced part to your life, then count yourself lucky ;)
Most of us are either always looking for (probably in that order) the right partner, the right job, the right friends, the right place to live or whatever makes you happy. But there's always hope, isn't there. Hope that one day, Mr Darcy or Mr Big (pick whoever you fancy more) will turn up, or you find the job you always wanted to do for the money you always wanted to earn. To be honest with you, the second one, as unlikely as it sounds, is probably more likely than finding numer one. But we keep on hoping, aren't we? Funny species, human beings...
As for me, I'm just doing it like riding a motorbike through London traffic... holding my breath, keeping my fingers and toes crossed and hoping that the white van in front of me won't pull out again unexpectedly, like it did so many times before. But no risk, no gain. ;)
On this note, good luck! And keep the hope up!

I'm lurvin it..

2009-05-04T10:02:00.003+01:00

It's Bank Holiday Monday and thank god I don't have to work today. It's been a busy weekend, with drinks and more drinks and a couple more drinks :D
I had a little BBQ and yesterday I've played my first proper round of golf. I felt absolutely knackered after the 4.5 hrs and I'm so far away from the par72, I probably should consider a few more lessons. But never mind. It was good fun and if my wrist, which I think I somehow injured last week, is getting better I might be doing the same insane round again next weekend. The weather is lovely currently, the days are getting longer, it's about 16-18 degrees and quite a lot of sunshine compared to last year. But the best thing was, not having to get up today to go to work. I wish it could always be like that. Happy Days :)

Spring Time

2009-04-18T15:15:00.005+01:00

It's lovely outside, 15 degrees, sunshine, the flowers and trees are in full blossom and people seem to be generally a bit friendlier. I was in Germany over Easter, visiting my family and believe it or not I even came back with a slight tan. It was easily 30 degrees in the sun over there. Bring on the summer feeling! Back in good old cold London it's been rainy last couple of days but it's getting warmer and sunnier. Been out on my motorbike already a few times and will probably start commuting on it next week. There haven't been many outrageous parties recently, the odd one out in Maidstone and some drinks with friends. Compared to last year around this time I'm definitely feeling to have even less time than before. It seems like everyone is being worked very hard by their employers at the moment. Everyone's a bit scared to loose their job these days and in many cases there's less people employed to do the same job. It feels pretty crap always being at the end of the food chain to be honest. So, if I won't make it and not find another job soon after, I might just set up my own business, saying goodbye to all the politics, unfairness and the long hours with no rewards. It's been four years for me in the UK now and I'm starting to think about going back to Germany. This thought scares me. As much as I would like my own business, I don't think I'd be pulling it off in the UK. Going back to Germany would be a wise idea, especially because of the lower living costs and the target group of my business. But that and the weather are the only things why I would be wanting to go back at the moment. I'm dreading the beaurocracy, the people, the missing humour, the harshness and the immensly high taxes. Yes, my dear english friends, taxes are much higher in Germany, a lot higher. Of course we get a better service, cleaner streets and things generally work, but it's still a lot of money you have to pay extra for this. And especially as a young professional, one is wondering whether it's worth it. But anyway... these are thoughts I'm currently not trying to think about too much. I really would like to find my way back into the city life. I try to appreciate my new world, however it isn't even close to what one would wish to spend most of their life at. Everything feels a bit hostile. Friendliness is taken over by a harsh tone. Leadership and Innovation is mostly suffocated. Freedom and Flexibility is overtaken by Control and Surveillance. All wrapped up in contradictory processes. Humans turning into Robots. Not quite the creative hard working team spirit that I was hoping for. With few exceptions, it's a hard lesson this one. There's a time when it's great working in a corporate environment, but it's not now. It's going to be an interesting year. But whatever happens, I'm trying not to loose my smile and optimism.
Have a good weekend!

Credit Crunch Contagion

2009-03-26T21:18:00.002Z

It's been a few days since I have been writing anything. I had to go over to Germany to see my family on short notice which sort of threw me back a little bit. And of course my new job is keeping me busy. I've done a first early shift today. Just imagine getting up at 4:45am in the morning. Yeah! Right! There's something fundamentally wrong with this time, isn't there. But anyway... I shall not complain ;) My job is stressful but interesting and good fun, and I'm sure I can get used to these early ones as well.... somehow.
Next week is the G20 in London, further east at the Excel but still I have a weird gut feeling. I hope it's going to be peaceful. Well, it won't. It never is. And as per usual I'm sure London's officials won't be able to cope with the situation again. But I just hope there won't be any incidents or injuries or even deaths, but you never know. Something big like this can get out of hand very easily, no matter how much people tell you before how safe everything is. Don't trust them! It's better to be over-careful... for your own life's sake. But anyway... this was my pessimistic side talking. Maybe it comes from that book I've been reading for the last two weeks (I know I'm a slow reader), it's from the modern nostradamus of the economy John Talbott, who forecasted the dotcom crash and the housing crash... now he's forecasting a very deep recession and years of stagnation.. not very pleasent to read. Well, it's a well written book, but his outlooks are rather negative and as someone said it before me on some site, I hope he is wrong this time. But he backs up his arguments pretty well and easily understandable for most people. I don't intend to advertise it, but if you want to know what's going on and what might come next or what should and shouldn't be done, read it! ;) On this note... I'm off to bed... another early 5am alarm is set for me.... yaaaawn. Good Night!

Polarkreis

2009-03-08T10:19:00.002Z

It's a lovely sunny Sunday with spring-like temperatures... some new good music from good old Dresden is making it an even better day. Check out 'Polarkreis 18'... and don't worry, it's english music :) and it's somehow uplifting. There are some health concerns about someone within my immediate family so I'm kind of scared and this music definitely helps. Their style of music reminds me of another big international band, but I just can't remember which one. If anyone knows who I'm talking about, please put me out of my misery and post it here ;)

Festival-galore

2009-03-06T20:08:00.002Z

I'm the proud owner of a VFestival ticket :) After I wasn't able to go to the one last year because of work and the ridiculous ticket prices on ebay, I finally got one for this years festival. It was a right pain to get one. Tickets were released at 10am but there was almost no chance to get a decent weekend ticket. Funny enough all those tickets came up on ebay just a few minutes later. But I finally managed to get a ticket (combined with some coach travel from London, yeah whatever...). And I can't wait... the Killers are playing :) I would have loved to see The Kings of Leon instead of Oasis, but hey, that would be far too perfect I guess. I never really liked Oasis, but maybe they are a good live band.. I doubt it. And there's another festival, the Latitude one. They had a great line-up last year, especially the comedy stage, but again I couldn't go because of work. So this year, I've taken the days off well in advance and with no stupid project coming down my way I'm definitely going this year!! Reminds me to buy some wellies... but let's hope it's not going to rain much in July/August :D I'm very chuffed and happy. Tired from work, of course, still. But happy.

Happy Days

2009-03-01T18:53:00.002Z

It's Sunday night and I'll be starting the third week in my new job tomorrow. I'm still exhausted from last week. Weekends are generally there to rest, one might think. But silly me decided to have more fun than me-time. Last night's party was cracking, shame I had to leave so early to catch the last train home. However, my head is thankful for this decision today. Now I could do with another day off. Two days are just not enough to cope with a 5 day working week. How do some people manage to get a 4:3 ratio? Anyway, My neighbours are being a pain in the neck again tonight. Why are the people in this country just so noisy? And nobody seems to give a f***. But hey, I'm still in a good mood... I got a job, a decent social life... what more can you ask for? :) Happy Days!

Early Spring

2009-02-22T17:43:00.002Z

We had a lovely sunny weekend... 13 degrees and blue skies on Saturday. Guess what I did ;) Took my bike out for a spin. It's still a bit chilly but I can't wait for the spring to come and for me to take my bike out more often again. Especially considering the cost for a monthly travelcard into London, which now amounts to almost £230. For getting into London on a packed and filthy slow train. Great work, Southeastern. Anyways, I won't grumble. I've got a new job, which I'm looking forward to get out of bed for at 6am tomorrow morning again. But most importantly, I'm feeling the love of life again, getting up, achieving something and and party with friends until I'm tired but happy falling asleep with a smile on my face. I had a lovely weekend and I'm all happy today :) Let's see what the next week brings...

Out of my depth

2009-02-21T10:21:00.003Z

I've never felt this great on a Saturday morning I think. After my first week at work and a constant lack of sleep I feel somewhat recovered and relaxed on this sunny Saturday. The sun is out and I'm sure I'll take my bike out for a little ride later. The first week at work was rather intense and I felt constantly tired and exhausted. I'm just so not used to getting up at 6am anymore. Besides, starting a new job is always a little stressful, new people and so much new things to learn. My new role is quite a bit different to what I was doing before, so there's quite a steep learning curve. More management and delegation rather than doing it all myself, making sure things get resolved in time. Sounds easy, but it isn't. I was told I'll probably be completely out of my depth for a month or so and it'll take about half a year to feel comfortable doing this job. Great! Something to look forward to. lol. It's all good fun though and the technical stuff really interesting. Still, I feel out a bit out of my depth, but let's see how the next couple of weeks go... :)

Bring it on!

2009-02-10T13:01:00.002Z

Ok, I admit it. I'm incredibly bored and can't wait to start working again. After almost three months of spending a freezing cold winter alone at home I really want to go and work again, moan about the commute again, moan about the overprized sandwich shops in the city again, be tired of the night before again, meet new people, make friends, be a little too stressed and all the other things that come with working in London. I can't wait. Bring it on!

They won't get to me again

2009-02-06T14:59:00.002Z

Reading through old notes from my old Blog of 2005 that I've just imported is a weird thing. I'm reading through all these entries and it is apparent how much fun I used to have in London. How many parties I went to. Almost every entry starts with a "I'm bloody tired, but it was worth it". Now I wonder, did I get old? Or what? I should be down the pub drinking or partying in Maidstone (instead of London). But I must admit it doesn't really tickle my fancy that much anymore. I hope I won't end up like an embittered old spinster. Where is Mr Darcy when you need him? How many morons do you have to date in your life to find someone with half a brain and some good looks these days? And what are the chances that person isn't already with someone else? Or it's all bad timing, or whatever. I think there's never the right time. But anyway, moving on. Even though I have found a new job I'm not hugely looking forward to it. It's a lot more hours, an even longer commute and it means going back to working shifts, which I still have never managed to get used to. I will have pretty much only 2 hrs a day for my personal life, if I want to have half a decent night's sleep. But I guess I just have to put up with it and make the best of it. Who knows what opportunity will come out of it. And there are some benefits too. More holidays, a tiny bit more money... that's about it. I'm trying to be as positive as I can. I definitely will not be married to my job like I was with the last one again. Even though it's more hours to work, I will try and go partying more than last year. In hindsight I can't believe how my last company was eating me up mentally, apart from a few really great holidays, my social life was almost dead. I'm determined to change that. Can't have any company coming this close to me again, taking over my life - no way. End of! ;)

Back from Skiing

2009-02-05T16:34:00.008Z

It's only about 10 days until my new job starts. 1001 things to do but I'm quite chilled.
I've only just come back from skiing in Austria for a couple of days. It's been absolutely awesome. I never had thought I'd ski again with my bad knees, but I actually made it. I'm aching like hell but I'm glad I got down most blue runs and even a few red ones. I used to be very good at skiing as a teenager but I don't think I'll ever be able to get down any black ones again, but hey, it's a beginning :) I had lots of Kaiserschmarrn, Hirsch, Schnitzel, Goulash and Almdudler. Mhmmm... and the sun was shining. Perfect.

Here are some pictures, from a sunny long weekend in Austria.

London, hold me tight

2009-01-30T23:25:00.004Z

I've done it! I've signed the contract today :) In about two weeks time I'll be starting my new job at one of the leading news agencies on this planet, and boy, it's such a cool one! I'm so glad I got this job. It took me 7 interviews, hours of preparations and many sleepless nights to get there, but I've done it. Once again, I reached for the stars. Thanks to everyone who put up with me in the last two months ;) and helped me get this job. I'll miss Canary Wharf and my old desk but I have to move on. I'm going back to work in the City. It does feel good and I can't wait to catch up with my old city folks and make new friends. After all those doubts and depression, I've returned from the ashes. London, hold me tight. I haven't given up on you yet!

Truly a reason to celebrate! ;)

Alive and kickin

2009-01-23T22:29:00.002Z

What can I say, it is true that after every thunderstorm or even slight drizzle there will be sunshine again. I'm fully recovered from the flu, which feels somewhat great not waking up with aching muscles and joints and make you feel like you're eighty years old. And job wise it seems to slowly picking up again as well. I'm at interview stage for a few roles now but one looks the most promising. I can't say much yet, but it's going to be interesting. It's hard work and very exhausting, but I hope it's all worth it. All this adrenalin, stress, tension, hope... and all these other emotions taking over your entire system. Makes me feel alive again!

Recovering slowly

2009-01-17T15:41:00.002Z

At last the flu got hold of me. Been ill for a week now, but as the doctor said it'll get better over the weekend. Now I'm starting to recover and besides the flu being a good excuse for not doing anything at all, it also ruined my plans for the weekend. But there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I went for an interview with a well known company, after having made it through a telephone interview. It was a 2 hr long one with three different people. I really like the company, the workplace is cool and very funky, and people even wear jeans in some departments. The job itself sounds interesting and I must admit I'm a little excited but I don't want to say too much, I don't want to jinx it. I've got one more interview with them next week. But for now I'm on my way to recover from this flu...

On a second note

2009-01-12T22:21:00.005Z

I did get myself up to go shopping for groceries. What a crap word by the way. Why not simply say food-shopping. Groceries=Lebensmittel in German. It took me ages to understand what groceries means. Don't know why. Just one of these words I guess, I never bothered to look it up because I found it ridiculous. But in the end I got some groceries today, lots of them actually, half of the bill being invested in alcohol though, some Underberg, that's herbal digestive (oh yes!) from Germany and you can buy it in our Asda, then some black sambuca which I like because it tastes of liquorice and some Baileys. I haven't had any since Ireland. Actually I rarely have any alcohol at home, but I couldn't resist these two after a visit to the pub with some friends on Saturday.
But I also got some healthy stuff of course :) So I should be ok for another week. Until I have to go again. Or order online with Tesco. Yes, good idea. Make mental note. Until the next hunger...

Readymeals

2009-01-12T12:25:00.004Z

It's a grey Monday, lunch time, but nothing much to eat at home. I could go out and go shopping but that would mean spending money again. So I'm eating whatever is in the cupboards and the freezer. In todays case some spaghetti bolognese for kids. I like the small portions. I don't like the taste. I guess I have enough time to prepare some proper food at the moment. But to be honest, I never really liked cooking alone. I tend to end up with portions that would feed a family. And it's just no fun, going shopping every second day to get fresh ingredients, prepare and cook them. It probably does taste better, but can I be asked? Not really. I'm not that fussed when it comes to food. If I want a nice meal I go out to a restaurant or cook with a friend. But enough of the food talk, I'm just hungry. I seem to always be hungry when I'm alone at home. Because I'm too lazy to prepare food. Yes, even to put a frozen pizza in the oven. I guess you kind of get used to having a canteen at work, paying peanuts for good warm food in all varieties. Now I'm trying to compensate this with ready-meals, but it's just not the same.

I had two calls this morning, unfortunately both not very promising but I'm staying positive... Oh yes! I can't wait to get a new job. Then finally I can buy myself the 24" iMac, connect my 22" HP monitor to it, so as a friend of mine put it, my office will look like the bridge of the Enterprise. Then I would only need some of the sound effects, e.g. when opening the door, or when the phone rings :D ... maybe a little too nerdy ;)

Late New Years Resolutions

2009-01-11T15:43:00.002Z

Right. It's already a week and a half into 2009 but I didn't have any New Years resolutions yet. Well, they are no unrealistic resolutions, probably more "plans" for the year. Plans for this year aren't big or expensive, obviously. I would like to find a good job to keep my living standards to what they are now. I would like to stay in the house I'm in. So, I either find a good job or find a man who moves in with me to share the costs. The second option seems rather unlikely, so it's up to me. Mind you, at my age you do think about a solid partnership a bit more. But as luck goes with me, I only always end up with the wrong ones. Would be nice to do all the normal stuff that normal people do with someone else. Going on holidays together. That's especially boring when you are alone. If I wasn't feeling so sorry for myself on Cyprus because I was ill half of the week I would have probably been bored senseless at this retirement island. Would be good to share those experiences. lol. Well, maybe not.
And then there's holidays, as much as I think I won't be able to afford much this year, I'd really like to go to Ireland again and go up to Scotland for a bit. The rest I'll probably (as usual) spend travelling to Germany. I'm getting bored of it actually. As much as I look forward to see my family and friends, it's getting a little annoying to fly over there every second month, and still get to hear I'd be here far to rarely. I wonder whether they'd say the same if they would always pay the travel costs. The things you do for family...
I thought about doing a motorbiking trip through France this year, but I'm not sure how likely that's going to happen now. With a new job I probably won't have much holiday in the first six months. And then it's almost winter again. Might save that for 2010 then. But I do look forward to riding my bike this summer. I've been out on it today and despite all the clothes, that make you feel like michellin-man, it was a great feeling. Oh I miss it. I wish it was summer already. But at least the freezing cold from siberia is disappearing slowly. We had 6 degrees and sunshine today, which was a bit cold on the bike but a lot better than last weeks temperatures below zero.

So, a little list for 2009
- find a new job (as soon as possible)
- keep the house and everything
- ride my bike in the summer
- long weekend trip to Ireland (in spring)
- a week or two in Scotland (summer probably)
- a few trips to Germany
- do some more graphic design
- go kite flying, walking, play table tennis

It's getting better... I think

2009-01-10T16:41:00.007Z

I've had a good telephone-interview yesterday so I'm quite happy. Got me a little out of that depressive mood. I'm hoping to have more luck next week. There's nothing much going on with the German markets either, so I don't really have to bother looking every day. I've received numerous emails saying that the process of shortlisting will take a while and that I should be patient. I always wonder how they attract people from abroad when it takes three months to even invite someone for an interview. I'm in a country at the other extreme, where jobs go within days. So it takes a lot of time looking through new adverts each day. However I rewarded myself and my phone bill with a little rest and have managed to sort out my pictures from Cyprus.

Tell me about efficiency

2009-01-06T23:38:00.010Z

Another day has gone by but to my surprise I wasn't too bored today. I've taken some lovely portraits of myself for the job applications in Germany. The DIY portrait studio actually did work :) So I spent half day with my pictures, and the other half with applying for jobs. The ones in England are done easily, I know pretty much what I want and what I don't want. And it's easy to apply, usually just one or two clicks. I got two phone calls today. Not great, but it's a start.
Now I registered with a few German jobsites and trust me, they are not efficient. Well, they might be for the employers but certainly not for a job seeker. I spent over half an hour for one application. It better be worth it. Now I know why it takes three months to half a year to find a job in Germany. All this over-engineered so called efficiency. Yeah right ;)

And here's one of the photographs taken today... I'm sure I look professional enough. At least I look really German on this picture.

Geez, I never thought I'd have a photograph like this. lol. Taken with the help of two powerful 500W flood lights from the DIY store and my good old Canon EOS 400D. Not too bad for a first try.

How to alienate yourself

2009-01-06T00:41:00.005Z

Another boring and depressive day. Wohoo!! After countless job applications over the last few weeks I got one call from an agent, not the right job though. Or maybe I'm just not the right person. All they are looking for at the moment seem to be Application Support Analysts, some kind of superhero who has already been a Unix or/and SQL guru for 5+ years within the investment banking environment, knows all eTrading platforms inside out, does Perl scripting, has practical experience in FIX and on top of that some personality. Of course they pay so little I couldn't afford a one-bedroom flat in Zone 6 and if you don't tick all 10 out of 10 boxes you are screwed anyway. Yeah right!

So I went to the DIY store and bought some flood lights for a DIY photo studio. I do need a good portrait of me for applying for a job in Germany. Yes, I'm thinking of going back sometimes. I don't really want to, but what's holding me here? I always said I was here for the career, now that I don't have a career anymore and there doesn't seem to be anything like a career coming up any time soon, why should I put up with this country any more? Maybe because 'back home' is probably not going to be any better. It's just that the grass is always greener on the other side, isn't it. And what is 'home' anyway. For me, it's where I live now. This is home, not Germany.

Where is all that motivation gone that I brought with me 4 years ago when I first got here? Or was it naivity? Probably. I keep thinking, that we are all just a bloody number and when someone presses a button your life goes downwards. I should be grateful not having to deal with more lifethreatening things I suppose. Doesn't make it any easier though. You wouldn't believe how depressing this situation is, until you are in it. Living alone makes all this even more difficult. When I was living in a houseshare and was without job you had someone nagging you about cleaning up the mess you made in the house or to turn the music down, or whatever kind of human interaction. Now you sit at home, all your friends and mates and family are at work, and all you are left to do is to talk to recruitment agents with only half a brain cell, read geek books and in general alienate yourself from the rest of the world.

Things you do when you're bored

2009-01-03T14:44:00.003Z

In a way my year only started today. I finally got myself to start cleaning the house, now that I haven't got a cleaner anymore. I'm however easily distracted by boxes and drawers with old stuff, which is much more fun anyway. My desk looks almost clutter free. I'm expecting it to be a busy Monday job hunting day. After all these depressing christmas and new years days it's just what I need now. Some action. Been to play table tennis yesterday, haven't done that for ages either. Geez, my arms and shoulders ache, but it got me out of the house. Being out of work is so boring, it's unbelievable, though the ToDo list is as long as ever. Mostly things to get sorted, which usually cost money, which I don't have. So you start getting bored and depressed. It's a vicious circle. I need something coming up soon. This situation is driving me insane. I bought myself some Unix and Perl books. Yes, that's how far it got me already! Maybe I can get myself to learn a bit in my vast spare time instead of wasting it with starting video libraries on my computer or sorting out and organizing paper work from three years ago. Geek_mode = "on".

PS: I managed to crash my Mac Mini twice already in the last 7 days, up to a state that it didn't respond at all anymore. Only a reset helped it. No windows typical blue screen though. Wohooo!

New Year, New Day

2009-01-01T13:54:00.003Z

Good morning, afternoon, and a Happy New Year. I couldn't say I'm looking forward to the New Year, but I like all human beings tend to have something called 'hope'. It's what drives us forward and doesn't let us give up. So, here is to hope, and something that comes with it even though someone said to me there is no such thing, called 'luck'. But who cares. Here is to hope and luck!
May 2009 bring love, a good job and lots of laughter.

Done and Dusted

2008-12-30T09:39:00.004Z

Finally, after two long and painful days I have converted everything to my new Mac. It took me 6 hrs to convert all my thousands of emails properly from MS Outlook to Mac Mail. I tried different strategies, even bought a small program (O2M) which didn't work for my amount of emails either, but what finally worked was a simple but time-intensive trick: Install Thunderbird on your WinXP machine, which will import everything from Outlook. Then take the new Thunderbird files and copy them to the Mac, then rename them into .mbox and drag and drop them into Entourage. Once they are in Entourage you can use the Import function of Mail to get them converted over. Yes, that's what I've been doing all day yesterday. What a waste of life time. But never mind, it's still all rather exciting, every morning I get up to turn on this little sleek silver box to find the system running even before I could make myself a tea. It feels good :)
Now the right job can come along, pleeeeaaaaseeeee! :)

My first day with a Mac

2008-12-28T21:53:00.003Z

It's been a long and exhausting day, mostly sitting in front of my big screen connected to a tiny little box called Mac Mini. I spent most of the day installing applications, configuring the system and copying over files, which takes ages... and taking all resources of the tiny little box. It's not the first time I had a Mac working for me, so it's not all new, but hey, if you have to work with it every day, it's a big change! I've managed to copy over my entire iTunes library (which again is huge) with ease. I couldn't sync my iPhone yet, I'm scared I'll loose all my data on my iPhone, but I'll do some research on that later. I haven't managed to import my Outlook email into Entourage, so at the moment I'm running Outlook in a Windows VM. It runs like a pig, but for the time being it'll do the trick. I'm getting more and more used to the idea to switch completely to a Mac. However there are a few things that needs a little getting used to. The keyboard has the @ and " keys wrongly located on my old Windows keyboard and I can't find an option to change this layout. This is annoying if you write an email address many times a day. The other odd thing is that once you close the last Window of an application, the application doesn't quit. You have to exit the app either with apple+q or file exit. I understand the concept, but it's annoying for an ex-windows user. But there's quite a lot of things I like. The Activity monitor does the same trick as the task manager in Windows. But I've already got into using the terminal a bit, as I had problems emptying my trash. It didn't work via the terminal either, but I won't get into any geeky details here now :) In the end I used the Windows VM to empty it. It's good to get the best of both worlds. I bet the VM will work like a charm on a new iMac. But that's something I will reward myself with once I found a new job... so hopefully soon :)

Mac Heaven or Hell

2008-12-27T21:44:00.003Z

I got home this afternoon after a really nice christmas time with my family. To my surprise it was about 12 degrees in my living room and my PC didn't want to start up anymore. Oh joy! The power supply is dead. Try and get a power supply on a Saturday afternoon. There's no computer store around me that sells them. You would have to order it online. What a crazy world. Anyway, it was a good reason for buying the Mac Mini as an alternative. I was literally forced to buy it now :D
It's good fun, everything new is good fun. Let's see in a couple of days if I'm still convinced buying that Mac Mini was a good idea. Only really annoying thing so far is that I can't really migrate Outlook and my iPhone data over, but I'm working on a solution. Not sure whether I'm in Mac Heaven or Hell now... it feels weird!

Decisions, decisions...

2008-12-26T00:08:00.003Z

It's nice being with your family over Christmas. I had a really nice time, but it's time to go home. Back to the rat race. Speaking of which, I have done some quizzes online to find out what career would suit me best. Most of them said I'd be perfect as an Artist, Actress, Politician or Lawyer. The same most of my family always said, I'd be a good designer. But would I really want to start from scratch again, having to live in a small flatshare and live of almost nothing for a few years? It's a tough one. I enjoy working in IT and it's good money, probably better than being a poor old graphic designer. Decisions, decisions...
For a start, I'm going to buy a Mac, maybe that will shed some light into the darkness in my head.

Merry Whatever

2008-12-18T09:42:00.002Z

It's so quiet, it's lovely and scary at the same time. I've just come back from Cyprus and I couldn't say it was great, but it was nice. The weather was really good, it was just dead-boring. Literally locked up with lots of old farts on a big island, that's about sums it up. And I even got some stomach bug for a couple of days whilst being away. Now that I'm back I have a little cold again and of all years in my life this year feels not like Christmas. I haven't got the presents for my family together and I just can't be asked with anything. Every morning when I wake up it feels like this feeling will never go away. And still this question, why me? Whatever you do there is no "right way" of doing things to prevent being thrown out, there just isn't. Hard lesson to learn. Deep down inside my inner child is telling me: "This just isn't fair" and stomps it foot on the ground like only a child could. I know it doesn't help, but I'm not done with my mourning yet. Looking at 2009 is not really looking forward, it's just trying to prevent the worst. Generally speaking "it's all shit" at the moment, and it ain't gonna get any better in 2009. Easy to say that if you still have a job.
I had one interview so far. Incredible. That shows how bad it is. And that one of course wasn't right for me. Even though it had been advertised to me that they are looking for someone with the right personality, have a guess what happened. I was told I had a really great personality and I would be a win for the team, but technically they were looking more for a Unix-nerd. Great. And typical. Their loss. Geez, can someone wake me? Make all this negativeness go away? It's haunting me and I can't shake it off on my own...

Christmas - What Christmas?

2008-12-06T17:17:00.002Z

It's only two and a bit weeks to go to christmas but it just doesn't feel like it. I've been partying and having long lie-ins in the mornings for over two weeks now. It feels like a century. It should feel great, and sometimes it does. But having to talk to some of these recruitment agencies is a real pain. There's nothing out there at the moment. I'm always something, too technical, not technical enough, too senior, too junior, not enough experience, not enough money, whatever it is... it seems to be rather difficult at the moment. Not happy!

Time for some time off..... to another party. Night is the new day!

Turn my world around

2008-11-27T09:03:00.002Z

After a couple of days of active job hunting, I'm getting tired and bored of it. I don't want to job hunt, I don't want to find a new one, I was perfectly happy with the one I had. God dammit. It's been a week now, that I've been put at risk. The weekend was pretty much about lots of booze and fun, but over the last couple of days I've been getting more depressed again, can't get myself out of bed and just feel bored and clueless. What to do? Everyone keeps telling me this is the time when I can lean back and revaluate my life. What life? I've been working in IT most of the time. I got (too) many hobbies, but I don't want to make a job out of them because they all would pay only peanuts. I can still be an artist or a photographer when I'm retired. Don't have to put myself through this right now. Recruiters are a nightmare as usual, either completely useless and haven't got a clue or arrogant and telling you lies. It's very quiet on the market at the moment. I don't think there is much going on before christmas and to be fair, I don't really have to find anything before christmas either.

It's funny how my life turned about a week ago. Many many people contacted me, some who knew what had happened, some who didn't. The ones who knew, I was surprised about some of them, about their call and their kind words and support. I didn't have the impression I was very popular, but apparently a lot of people didn't like seeing me going. Which is nice in a way. I can't pay the bills with that but it does give some reason to get out of bed and do something every day. And then there are the other people who didn't know what happened. My old friends from Germany enquiring after my wellbeing. And some of them I haven't heard from for over a decade, some for a few years. Geez, one of them got married for a second time even though he always told me he would never get married again. Another one after 12 years of silence all of a sudden was divorced with a child and is going to visit next week. It's been an interesting week. Nothing, yet so many things happened. I still wish I could go back.

Why would you want to go back to a company that has put you through all this? Good question. I suppose I try not to take it personal and just think of it positively. I have got know quite a lot of people within that short time of just over a year and I know that the people I work with are good and the general atmosphere in the company is good. Or that's my perception at least. Apart from the financial aspect I think it's one of the more challenging and competetive places I have visited so far and I quite liked it. So, we will see what the New Year brings. Let's get over Christmas first...

Freedom is when you don't have any worries

2008-11-21T09:20:00.006Z

Alternative title: My personal black Friday.

The financial crisis is taking its toll. And yesterday it took me. Funny how these things happen. Some people are happy about it, feeling free. But what is all this freedom good for if it comes at a dear price. Even worse if you actually liked the job and the people you worked with.

It's just after 9:30AM in the morning and in principle I should feel victorious about having just got out of bed on a Friday winter morning. But in reality, it doesn't. It's depressing. Haven't slept most of last night, every time I woke up I just wondered if it was a nightmare and I might wake up in a minute when my alarm goes off. But it didn't. What is done, is done. You can't go back. I would lie if I'd say I'm coping well. I feel shit, and I'm not even trying to pretend I'm looking at the bright side just after someone kicked me out of a place I liked. You just have one question in your head: Why me? And you think positively with your contractor hat: Move on! But WHY ME? Again and again.

I knew it from the minute I woke up on this Thursday morning. Looking at the clock for the date, the 20th November 2008, I never do that. Packing a big bag, big enough to fit in everything that's sitting in my drawer. I never do that, unless I know for certain I had to go. Sitting on the train thinking about what if it's me this time, how to prepare for the worst, I never do that. There have been signs days before it, but I didn't want to see them. I ignored this bad feeling deep down inside. But my gut feeling never proved me wrong, not once. It's just hard to acknowledge and to let go...

I know I'll be all right again, or so my human cope & hope mechanism assures me.

London Film Festival

2008-11-01T11:12:00.003Z

It feels like the winter has finally arrived. It's grey world out there, with a bit of rain. Typical English autumn/winter weather. It's been freezing cold the last couple of days, but I must admit it's sometimes quite nice when you can wrap up warm with a hot cup of tea in your hand, sitting in front of the telly watching some fantasy stuff. Awwwhh. Happy days.

London Film Festival was busy as every year and this year I got to meet Mr Darcy twice. Once in form of Matthew McFadyen who I saw at the premiere of Incendiary and once in form of Colin Firth who attended the premiere of his new film Genova at the film festival. Both were quite good. I also went to the family gala with a screening of The Secret of Moonacre, which is a very enjoyable and recommendable fantasy film. And of course, as every year I was lucky to get a ticket for the Surprise movie and this year it was a little less extreme than No country for old men, which I personally found absolutely horrible, even if it was well made. This years surprise movie was "The Wrestler" with Mickey Rourke and I found it good. Very contemporary, desperate, sad, funny. Felt very much like reality due to the camera angle, always following the main act. All in all a good entertainment. I would recommend all of the above movies. Most should be on general release in Jan/Feb 2009.

Apart from the film festival I've not been up to much else, just playing some table tennis again. Finally found a good club near me. Well, what is "near" in England. Half an hours drive, but people are nice and it's good fun.

Yes, I did it!

2008-10-13T19:01:00.002+01:00

I am so proud I finally got myself built up to go and get the most basic of all vaccinations, which clearly was needed after 20 years of successfully avoiding injections of any kind. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but she did it very good and very quick. However I'm still not convinced I would be able to give blood without a fight. But anyway, I'm happy and chuffed about that tiny little achievement and I might go for another vaccination soon so I can actually travel to some more exotic destinations. Won't have the money for the holiday but hey, at least now I could if I would play the lottery and if I would win :D

Right, and as promised, I have made a list in my mind of things I miss most from Germany

- family, friends & the dog
- quality of life, services and products at a reasonable price
- more space
- cleanliness of cities, roads, houses, dental practices and surgeries
- good dentists and GP's
- intellectually aspiring magazines, news, media, tv (e.g. c't, Spiegel, Knoff-Hoff Show :)
- friendly service staff or at least someone who makes an effort
- good italian restaurants
- a proper German-Turkish kebab
- Krefelder (a special beer called "Alt" mixed with Coke)
- some local produced German wine (god no, not Riesling!)
- Fleischsalat ("meat salad" - you can get that in LIDL but it's not as nice)
- proper bread (but I do make my own nowadays because I can't get the dry english stuff down)
- some sweets (like Hanuta, Milchschnitte, etc - no translation here ;)
- motorways & no speed limit
- some efficiency
- good nights out, especially independent uni parties or getting completely wasted at my favourite club and have a kebab for breakfast
- going out late at night alone without having to worry about crime

That's about it... I'm sure there's loads more, there always is... but that's the things I miss the most I think.

A Day of Boredom

2008-10-11T17:28:00.002+01:00

Actually haven't got much to tell... week has gone by quickly, the sun is out and I'm very relaxed recently. Listening to some new tunes today. Found a really good new album by Peter Fox, a guy that used to be part of the German band Seeed. And of course my all-time favourite German band MIA has had a new album recently, which isn't quite as good as previous ones, but still good to hear some tunes from Germany for a change. I miss the small local concerts at universities and local venues I used to go to. All the alternative or new German electro-pop bands, seeing them grow and become famous.. or just get completely smashed and have fun for the night. Nothing like that around in Greenhithe, just a few boozers and an ASDA. Whoopdidooo! LOL. I think I'm officially bored today... and what do we do when we're bored? We go out and get drunk :D Good thinking!!!

A few good reasons

2008-10-07T21:56:00.001+01:00

Inspired by a forum thread I stopped thinking about negative aspects of life in the UK for a moment and thought about what I actually like about this country and here we go, my not-ultimate but close to complete list of reasons to stay in the UK (without being sarcastic)

- the simple but sometimes vulgar language
- some of its accents (e.g. from Scotland, Sarrff-East London)
- PIMMs & Lemonade
- British men (some of them :)
- to be everybody's darling or luv
- Stir Fry, Indian takeaways, Salt&Vinegar Crisps, Custard
- Porridge with Sugar and Cinnamon
- Roundabouts
- English countryside (when it's sunny)
- cheap drugs (e.g. paracetamol for 16p)
- London's cultural diversity
- BBC Weather Forecast & BBC News
- BBC television program
- Pubs (especially the ones closing at 11pm)
- Golf for everyone
- variety for vegetarians
- pre-prepared meals in supermarkets for single people
- Tesco home delivery
- flexible well-paid work and open-minded employers
- ability to legally filter through traffic on a motorbike
- people starting every second sentence with 'Sorry'
- small talk & humor
- British made music and movies
- bras that actually fit
- mild winters
- fashion
- all you can eat mobile phone, landline and broadband tariffs
- 2for1 deals

A list of what I most miss is surely soon to follow....

Rainy Sundays

2008-10-05T19:17:00.002+01:00

I think it's official, the british winter is here... or at least autumn. Yet again lots of rain and grey skies. Maybe I should be depressed about that. Especially because I won't ride my bike in this weather, but to be honest it opens up other nice things that aren't quite as enjoyable in the summer. One of that being the Sunday lie-in. Love it! Been out to the pub last night, winning at pool and drinking far too much P&L, and getting into bed far beyond my usual bed-time. After a long lie-in and a tea the big full-english brekkie was just what was needed to send me back to bed. It's been a while that I've been in bed until 3pm. On days like today you just got to love it being wet and horrible outside, the nicer it feels to be inside :)

metal cage drivers

2008-09-25T21:02:00.002+01:00

It's getting cold outside now. It's still sunny, but a bit chilly when riding in the morning. And I can't wait for my faired SV650 now. It's so windy, it's hard work to stay on the bike for over half an hour. Today wasn't too bad in the morning, traffic in the morning seems to be a lot better than earlier this year too. So I have more time looking at all these people, passing by in their metal cages, caught up in their own little worlds. What would it be like if you could hear their thoughts? It would probably be a long road of me me me's. If I see people having an electric shave whilst driving at about 70mph along the A13 in rush hour, I'm thinking to myself that something is a bit wrong with this world. But maybe that's just me. I've seen many things people do whilst they are driving and nose picking is not a crime. It's quite amusing how unobserved people feel when they sit in their car.

Silver Star

2008-09-21T22:02:00.000+01:00

It's probably been the last sunny weekend of the year, but I'm somewhat looking forward to the winter. Yes, it means higher heating costs and freezing cold and getting back on trains, but it's got it's good sides too. I'll have more time to do all the lovely stuff I don't have time for in the summer, watching movies for example. Gotta catch up with loads of movies, the list is long! And then there is the London Film Festival comping up in October. I've ordered a few tickets already but might go for a few more. They have made a film out of one of my favourite books "Incendiary" and of course a few other gems, as every year. But before the cold comes along I hope to be able to ride my new motorbike a little. Oh yes, you heard right, I bought a new one. It's a silver Suzuki SV650 S from 2002 with a V-Twin. Sounds like a tractor, but never mind. It rides well, that's all that counts! Can't wait to pick it up next Saturday. Shame I have to give up my little lovely red Honda Bros 400 as a part exchange, but I'm sure it'll fall into some loving hands. At least I hope so. Really have to sell it. Have to have a bigger one for my commute, even if it's just another couple of weeks before it'll be too cold to ride in. Though I'm pretty skint, thanks to our weakening economy, credit crunch and inflation, I still bought the bike. I just couldn't resist. My poor old credit card. Ah well! I'm convincing myself that it was a good idea, because I just don't want to go back on the train yet! It haunts me, like a nightmare, these packed trains full of muppets in the morning. Mind you, the A13 isn't a lot different, but a lot quicker ;)

Also, I've been visiting a new table tennis club last on Friday. It was good fun, but oh boy, I'm so unfit, my muscles ache! But I got some more excercise doing the lawn today. Bought myself a new lawn mower, a Bosch this time. Forget that Hoover crap piece of rubbish, it ain't working! Am very chuffed about todays work and can somehow understand now why my dad keeps telling me that mowing the lawn is good fun. It actually is, with the right lawn mower ;)

Reminds me of the green I saw in Ireland. Have been out there for a week in July and absolutely LOVED it! What a beautiful country! And so many nice people, it's incredible. I have to say, I can only recommend to anyone, go and see Ireland! My next trip will be next year up to Scotland or Wales, depending on the budget :) Car and Bike need to be paid off first.

Right... here are some pics from Ireland on my Flickr site (or as a slideshow).

Paris J'taime

2008-06-23T18:00:00.005+01:00

I just got back from a 4-day trip in Paris and I feel all relaxed and happy. It was a perfect little escape. We had wonderful sunny warm weather. It was over 30 degrees at times. The humidity was killing me on Saturday but all in all it was awesome to feel the sun on my skin. The last two years the weather in England has been so cold that I'm longing for every little sunshine out there. The first two days were full of sightseeing stuff and the last two rather relaxed, sitting in cafe's watching the world go by. We went on a boat cruise on the Seine and for a coffee into a mosque. It's difficult comparing cities but I did like Paris. Yes it is very expensive and yes it is very dirty (worse than London) but it's got its charm. All the iron worked balconies and passages makes it look very cute and romantic. What looks shabby and trashy in London, looks very romantic in Paris because the city has a more quirky feeling about it. I loved the weather and the cafe's. Just sitting outside in the sun having breakfast, lunch or dinner without drunk english, that's quite refreshing. I wasn't able to indulge in the french cuisine a lot as my travel mate is vegetarian and we only went to a french restaurant one night. The dish was superb though. It was on a little hidden square in the Marais district with some live music on the square. Saturday night there was live music everywhere. The Fete de la Musique transformed all of Paris in a free festival space. Out of every corner you could hear different music and everyone was playing on the streets, in the cafe's and on the squares for free. A bit like Bochum Total, for the ones who know the Ruhrgebiet area a little ;-)

I've even practised a few words and sentences in french, but it was hardly more than ordering an orangina or a glass of rose ;-) The language is really difficult... and far too fast.

Now, I've taken over 500 pictures and it'll probably take a little while until I've gone through them and selected a few to upload. However, until then we've still got the Euro 2008 on!!!

And I can't wait for the semi-final of Germany against Turkey. I wouldn't want to be in Dortmund on Wednesday ;-) So maybe see you at the Zeitgeist in Lambeth...

First Pictures from Paris (or click on Slideshow) - more to follow

EURO 2008 & Easyjet made my day

2008-06-12T21:09:00.001+01:00

I've been to Dortmund last weekend and it was a really great trip, apart from the nightmare of getting back home to London. Friday night the flight was a little delayed but it was still ok to go out and have a party. I stayed with one of my mates from University and we went to a new club called Silent Sinners, which used to be a Jazz Club. The interiors are pretty simple and boring but the party crowd and the music were superb. Cool young students and professionals dancing to british pop/rock/indie - instead of the usual Spirit folks. I actually didn't visit the Spirit this time. I had my share of a good party on Friday night already. Saturday was pretty quiet, sitting around, trying to recover and watching the two first games of the Euro 2008. Sunday I met up with another friend of mine and enjoyed the sunshine in the park. I got sunburnt again, but hey, I know it's only for the day, next day I'll have a lovely chocolaty colour instead.

Sunday night I was supposed to fly back to London, where I had parked my car to get to Lambeth quickly to watch the German game with my friends. However, Easyjet had a few problems that day and decided I had to stay in Dortmund. Next possible flight back, Tuesday morning. I was gutted!!

So, I went back into town, locked my suitcase away in the train station and went to a place called "Friedensplatz" which is the biggest public viewing space in Dortmund. I had a flag and a drink and was watching the game against Poland with about 10 000 other German fans, shouting, singing, dancing and waving their colours!

I quickly met a few people around me and when "Poldi" scored 1:0 everyone was my friend, even the few polish, who took it easy. The game ended in a 2:0 for Germany!! Yes! And I was in the middle of a great party. In some respect Easyjet made my day ;-)

I managed to get a flight back on Monday night, with a couple of hours delay of course.

Since then I was looking forward to today, but I had a strange feeling about the game. The anticipation wasn't as high as against Poland. Croatia is a strong team, it just didn't feel right. Nobody in the office is really interested in the Euro 2008. I guess it's understandable, as England isn't playing. But it's a bit boring. They could have at least got to the first round. This way we all could have a great big party in London. Ah well, never mind.

Now, we lost against Croatia tonight but I'm full with hope to see the game on Monday night against Austria. We have to at least draw it or of course even better, WIN!!!

However, if we are second of our group and Portugal seem to be top of theirs, it would mean we would have to play them next Thursday 19th. And I have watched Portugal, they are pretty strong.

Anyway.... I'm still with hope that our guys got a little wake up today. They just played an absolute crap game today and if they lose against Austria then they don't deserve getting any further.

End of.... but Keep your fingers crossed anyway (please)! :-)

The summer is here

2008-05-26T12:00:00.000+01:00

It's a grey and wet Bank Holiday Monday but it feels like the best day in ages.

Just been hanging around at home, tidying up a bit, editing pictures and working a bit (remotely).

Last week my boss has been made redundant and I already got a new one now. It happened all so quick that I still can't believe it, but we all have to get on with life. So, will see what the new guy will bring to the team. I'll try and give him a chance ;-)

Saturday was Eurovision, always good for a laugh and I went to the Jolly German Pub in Lambeth (aka Zeitgeist). I was expecting it to be a boring evening with a few drinks and laughs, but it turned out to be a great party with people from all sorts of nationalities, mainly English and Spanish though. I think the only ones in fancy dress were the English again.

That's when you really think, "Gosh, why are most of my fellow Germans just so damn boring?" Reminded me a bit of New Years Eve Party... but hey, I was having fun and that's all that counts. I guess Germans are born to be a bit introvert.

Anyway, here are some pictures from the Eurovision Party @ Zeitgeist (or as a Slideshow) on Saturday. And no, the green rug over my shoulders isn't something I usually wear :-D

I also managed to finally upload a small selection of my trip to Geneva (or as a Slideshow).

Half of the pictures were taken in Annecy though, a small ancient town about an hours drive away (southeast) of Geneva, in France. Beautiful place. I wish I had more time there. Really loved it.

That was a great weekend.

At least the days are getting longer now and it's even getting warmer.

I'm already jumping up and down out of excitement by the looks of the weather forecast on the BBC website that says 23 degrees and a bit of rain on Thursday. Can't wait!!

However, looking at Germany's weather forecast of 30 degrees this week makes me a little depressive. And I don't want to jinx it but I bet it's going to rain the weekend I'm going to Dortmund.

With these dark thoughts.... hope you had a great Bank Holiday weekend!

boy racer

2008-05-12T12:00:00.000+01:00

It has been an awesome weekend with loads of sunshine.

I've been riding my motorbike into work for most of last week.

Despite the great weather I spent the weekend mostly at home, washing the Bros and my new car in the sunshine, lying around lazily in the afternoon and having a relaxed Saturday.

My new car is a Peugeot 206 GTI. Yeah I know what you're thinking right now! :-D

It's the perfect boy-racer car, apart from that I'm blonde and female. However, it was a decision between a Mini Cooper, the 206cc, 206 GTI and an Alfa 147. The Mini Cooper lost because of it's tiny boot, where you can't hide a single golf club, the 206cc was purely a little too expensive and not particularly useful for english weather and the Alfa 147 is unfortunately about 20 cm too long for my garage. Some voices said I should get a Golf GTI but hey, I'm from Germany... I don't want a Golf! If I buy a German car it would be something decent, like a Porsche or at least an Audi, but not a crappy boring Volkswagen. Now I've ended up with a Peugeot. You can say what you want about the french but this car is really nice. The 206 GTI looks the bit, is small and fast. I didn't go for the 180 version, as I thought 140bhp should be enough. You're not allowed to drive any faster than 70mph over here anyway. Even my motorbike does that with it's tiny 400cc engine, but never mind.

I have planned to take the GTI to Germany.. one fine day.

I'll try and take it out a little more this year, as this was the actual thinking behind all this. My poor old Corsa wasn't quite up for a long road trip I think. My third car. And the Bros my third bike. Sometimes I miss my first car and bike, the Ford Fiesta from 1990 in spanish red. I drove through Germany from north to south, from west to east and back. Good old thing. I sometimes wish I would have kept it, converted it into a convertible or something fancy. And my first bike, the Simson S51, I loved it, because it was different but it never went very well. Boy, how often did I have to push that damn thing and get bruised legs *lol*. Nah, I miss the looks of it but not the pain.

Yesterday I had a BBQ in my garden with friends and it was absolutely fantastic.

I really enjoyed it. Having had a big massive BBQ instead of the instant ones I usually buy made a big difference. I had quite a few PIMMs and some Rose, so I was hanging out quite happily in the sunshine all day long. By the time the sun had vanished from my garden I was pink as a lobster, and I still am. Haven't had a sunburn for ages, but I'm actually enjoying it. You never know for how long it will last. I just hope it's going to be a hot long summer this year.

Also, I have been to Fuessen in Bavaria (Germany) again to visit my grandma.

It has been a great five day trip. The sun was shining... the lakes had this turquoise color and the mountains still had snowy tops. My parents were visiting too and so we had a really good time and played lots of Skat. Playing against three professional card players though, I have lost everything ;-)

German Music?

2008-04-27T12:00:00.000+01:00

I'm not sure whether becoming British is a good or a bad thing. In fact I'm less than 2 years away from being able to apply for a British passport. Do I want that? Or not? I don't know. Fact is, I know more british telly than I would like to admit. And every time I watch german telly or listen to the music I'm just shaking my head in embarrassment and disbelief. What's the world becoming to? What am I becoming to? I just listened to the latest German music and I just can't believe that a Techno song called "Kuschel Song" (which translates as "Cuddle Song") is in the Top5. And I thought Hyper Hyper by Scooter was bad - this is just worse! And one of the bands I always liked, Fettes Brot (translates as "Fat Bread"), came up with a song called "Bettina, zieh Dir bitte was an" - which means "Betting, please put some clothes on".. but they must have been drunk when choosing the title, in fact it's just about asking a girl to pack her boobs away. What the f****?

Zey must be mad zose germans! ;-)

Can't believe I'm having a go at it, maybe today is German-bashing day for me. I might even believe that David Hasselhoff was a big hit in Germany. Never mind how popular he still is in England.

Anyway, I'm pretty bored of the German music scene at the moment. If anyone has got a great hint, ala "Mia" or "Wir sind Helden" or similar, please let me know. One of the disadvantages of being over here... I can't go to cheap student concerts anymore. All you here is Brit-pop, drunk idiots and Amy Winehouses. Speaking of her, what a f***ed-up girl she is. Feeling really sorry for her.

Apart from the music I've had quite a busy month. I've bought a car, and didn't buy a new motorbike. But the car is great. It's the first car I own, that is not over 10 years old, that has a decent engine, a decent colour, remote controlled central locking, air condition and finally... power steering! Can you believe it. It is my new toy, a Peugeot 206 GTI, a 2.0l 140bhp beauty in silver metallic, with all the sports suspension, exhaust and bigger wheels done. And it drives like thunder, that little car :-D

I almost bought an Alfa 147, reminding me of old times... when it first came out. But fortunately the Alfa was about 10cm too long to fit into my garage. So I did what had to be done, I bought this car.

The same day I saw a lovely bike, an RVF400 in mint condition. Boy, what a beauty! But I was too exhausted from buying the car in the morning and the credit card was still smoking hot.

So I'm still with my Bros400 and I bought some new gear this weekend. Can't wait to try it on. Unfortunately the weather forecast is pretty bad (again) for the next week. However, I'm travelling a lot at the moment so I won't get a chance anyway.

I've been to Geneva last weekend and it was really nice. What a city. Lovely set within the mountains, in a little valley overlooking the lake. I was only more impressed by Annecy, a little ancient town in the mountains. It was greating visiting my mate Andrew over there, he seemed very happy and he seems to have a great life out there. The whole weekend reminded me very strongly about how different England is to the rest of Europe. And a lot seems in purpose. As if England would rather cut their own throat than being part of Europe. I've finally got to vote local (whhooohooo) but of course I have applied too late to be able to vote for the LondonMayors Election on May 1st.. but I'm not sure whether I would be able to vote for this anyway as I'm not living in a London borough anymore. Anyway... boring stuff. I will upload some pictures of Geneva and my car hopefully tomorrow. So stay tuned :-)

Reminiscing

2008-04-02T21:15:00.000+01:00

Can you believe it. It's 3 years to the day that I arrived in London.

Having come here with the intention of only staying for 3 months it's quite impressive what happened ever since. Yes, I have done a lot of England-bashing on this blog, because I've not been always happy but it's incredible what I have actually achieved in this time.

I feel that loads has happened in these three years, much more than probably in the three years before in Dortmund. Still, I really like and miss Dortmund. But London has got me up to speed with life, opened my eyes and motivated me. Even though I have to share this space with millions of people, it still feels like a small world. It's diverse, it's colourful, lively and on a sunny day even friendly. I've met some good people, I also lost some. Unfortunately London is a bit like a drain, you don't know people for long enough or they live too far away to make or maintain real friendships, or at least what my understanding of a "real" friendship is.

However, it's a day to celebrate for me. I didn't expect anything of London, in fact it was only to be a temporary thing to help me move to Australia but I somehow happen to get stuck, and sometimes that isn't a bad thing. Maybe one day I will move on to another country or even back to good old Germany, but for now it's good to be here and look back at what I've done with my life so far.

Sometimes you just have to be able to appreciate life.

That said... I'm about to enjoy some good German red wine now ;-)

Bring on the spring

2008-02-29T12:00:00.000Z

The gloomy mood of last weekend has finally gone and I'm all rock'n'roll for the next couple of weeks. The days are getting longer and there are even some blossoms out already.

This week I've got myself a nice biggish monitor and a webcam. Haven't had one of these for ages and I must admit I didn't use my last one much but even if I get just my parents or so to have one as well to do some video-phoning that would be cool.

Speaking of them my parents are coming over to visit me end of this month. Really looking forward to it. Will be a bit stressful but I'm trying to get some more time off work so I can actually enjoy it as well. Next weekend a mate of mine I used to work with is coming over from Geneva and we'll be going to see the musical "Wicked!" and maybe do some Go Kart racing or something. Depends on the weather. Never done that Go Kart thing but everyone tells me it's really good fun... apart from all the bruises you are getting afterwards. So, haven't decided yet whether to do that or not.

Since New Year's I've also uploaded some pics on my Flickr site:

Ingress Park - that's where I live (near Bluewater in Kent)

Cotswolds - my early February short break. It was awesome. I really love the Cotswolds. Not sure how it is in the summer but it's very peaceful in the winter. As beautiful as it is I bet it's stunning in the summer and will be packed with people spending their holidays there.

Dortmund, Dortmund, Dortmund

2008-02-22T21:17:00.000Z

And yet another year has gone by and it was a weird one.

New job, new home, same man. Just watching the final season of Sex and the City. I've seen the end but never really watched any of the last episodes before that. Now that the evenings are still cold and dark I've got time to watch it.

My birthday this year was actually rather nice. I've been to the Cotswolds again. Unfortunately still freezing cold in February but it was sunny and relaxing. Haven't been to Oxford for probably about ten years.

I've booked most of my holidays for this year already and my calendar looks like a big mess up to June already. I've submitted so many vacation requests in the last couple of weeks I'm surprised my manager hasn't said anything yet but approved all of them. Happy Days!

My credit card might be a bit stretched at the moment but I've got all my little trips booked up until August. In April I'm going to visit Geneva for a long weekend and hopefully will be going to the mountains as well. Should be absolutely beautiful in full spring blossom.

In May I'm going to Germany for two weekends, once again to the south of Germany visiting my family. For June I thought of going to Paris, but haven't quite figured out who to go with and when.

July is going to be great!! It has to! Because I'm going to Ireland with a German friend of mine. One week drive around in Ireland. I've already bought the hiking shoes :-)

And I've just seen some pictures of a photographer friend of mine who has been in Ireland too. It's well worth a look on pictures for some inspiration. Everyone I know who has ever been to Ireland really loved it. So, whatever the weather is going to be like I hope it's going to be great. However, I'm packing the rain jacket, just in case.

And in August I'll just have a short week in Germany, catching up with going to my two favourite places, the Spirit and the FZW for a hopefully warm summer evening party on a Wednesday night.

Somehow, thinking about Dortmund still makes me feel temporarily homesick. Even though it's not the poshest part of the world it has got its charm. I'm missing great nights out at the Spirit, Keller, Subrosa and that handful of other good bars. Can't remember the name of the one where there always was a Cocktail happy hour on Friday nights. Anyways, there's always something going on in Dortmund. Always people to meet and go out with. It's so much more smaller than London. You get anywhere within 20 minutes and everything seems to be much more "local". Even though I'm now officially a "Suburbian" I can't quite get the same contact to people here as I did back in Germany. Even though my english is as close to perfect east-end London-ish as it can get for a foreigner. Most people only ever ask me where I come from because I don't read the trash-magazines and am not up2date with who did what with whom. Very superficial and artificial relationships sometimes. Which is a shame. Maybe I just never met the right people. You know, wrong place, wrong time.

And that's where the temp-homesickness kicks in.

Everytime I go there I feel instantly good. Not just because it's a holiday for me but because it's all familiar, there's things to spot that have changed, but overall it's much more of a travel to a mostly happy student life past. Party, people, fun. Though, realistically I always get enough of Dortmund after a couple of days. It's not really hard to go home into the UK again. I know I wouldn't be happy living and working there every day. But it's awesome to come back and dip into this relaxed friendly atmosphere. I'm thinking of buying a flat in Dortmund next year, for later, who knows. But I doubt that the FZW and the Wednesday parties will still be there in let's say ten or twenty years. Who knows what I will be doing in a decade? It's still all up in the air.

For now, all I know is that I have a job I like, a nice place to live and a couple of friends. There are things that could be better, but I know living this rat race in London isn't forever.

Nothing is, really. It's going to be a very sad day when my two favourite places in Dortmund should ever close their doors. And even worse I'm already out of the whole University community stuff, which is a shame, really, but I guess we all move on in time. I wish sometimes I could go back and live through some parties again. Or just enjoy a few more. But that's quite unlikely to happen for the next few years. All that easyness is gone. I just wonder whether I can ever get it back?

It seems sometimes I had more fun in the five years study in Dortmund than I ever had in London in the last three. People might wonder what's wrong with me, London is the most exciting city in Europe. But it's the people that make your life worthwhile, and I just haven't found anything similar over here yet. Having to get into your car for 10 minutes down the road to get somewhere or an hour or hour and a half to visit a friend is a completely different story. It's time consuming and seems like a big effort. I miss the evenings that I'm calling a friend to come over for a movie, a couple of beers and a chat.

You wouldn't believe how often I'm thinking on a Friday night: "Gosh, how great would it be to go to the Spirit now and just get wasted" on a higher level, of course. I would call it "intellectual boozing". Having a big night out without having to check whether the make-up, clothes and all the rest of it are state of the art and up2date with the latest fashion. Where's the good old club to just go out and have some fun?

WANTED: If you know the type of club I'm talking about PLEASE tell me where to find it in London or Kent. A real one, every weekend the same grown up professional people, some cool rock/pop/metal/funk/newwave/gothic music mix, as good as no trouble at all, where you are allowed to dance pogo and that is open until dawn. There must be something???

I completely lost track of the beginning of my Blog post now. But never mind.

I'll make the best of my time in London. And I'm getting lots of visitors from the mainland next couple of months as well, which will cheer me up. Getting some company for a couple of days is quite nice. Especially when you can throw them out again afterwards :-) Only kidding!

Why?

2008-01-20T23:00:00.000Z

The first attempt to go to the German gastro pub on a Sunday for the special lunch "Futtern wie bei Muttern" (literally means having food like only your mum can cook it) was not very successful thanks to National Rail who thought it might be a good idea to have some Engineering works over the weekend and have no trains going into town. Thanks. They must be spending the money they got through the last pay rise. A good 10% for the same shitty train journey, the same train and the same delays and even less routes. Nice! That's Southeastern rail for you.

However, this weekend I wanted to go and after a quick food shop I was almost ready to go. Just having a look at the bulbs I planted two weeks back in the garden. And what do I discover... my patio door has been damaged. The door handle has been ripped out and tried to open! Someone tried to break into my house!

I was a bit panicky but speaking to my neighbours and my landlords help ease the situation. The locks were still ok and they just need to change the handle. I must have left the carport gates to the garden open. That's rather scary. But I guess they were just chance-takers, some kids that are coming to the area. Don't really know when it happened but it might have been over night. I'm glad nobody got in but it leaves this bitter taste to it that it could happen again. Makes you sleep less and worry all the time. Bloody kids! Trying to play gangsters. People who bring up criminals like that should get fines and the kids should maybe get a proper smack instead all this soft education rubbish. Makes me angry that does! Kids f*cking up other people's lives because they are bored and nobody told them how to behave or get a life.

Not that two burglaries in three years would be much in other parts of the world, but it certainly is for a German coming from a considerably dodgy industrial area, having never had any burglaries back home. So what's different here? I just don't get it. I just read a small history of modern Britain and it seems most parts, even the south east is still living in the middle ages but the people are so modern that they haven't got the time to bring up their kids with any ambition.

Ok, enough now. I'll try and go to sleep now.....*grumble*

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008

2008-01-06T12:00:00.000Z

First of all, I hope everyone had a jolly good ride into 2008!!! I've even got my motorbike started today and after a few hiccoughs it eventually started and I had a bloooody coooold ride around the new Eurostart station Ebbsfleet International. But I'm pretty happy it still runs great! Looking forward to the spring and hopefully (fingers-crossed) a hot wicked long summer!

Apart from that... New Year's Eve itself I have celebrated at the new German pub "Zeitgeist" in Lambeth. The owner is from cologne and therefore we finally have a proper German gastro pub in London. Far away from the usual suspects like the Bavarian Beerhouse, the so called Germans. Yeah, whatever! If you want to see Germans and drink proper German beer and have proper German food go and visit the "Zeitgeist" at the Jolly Gardener Pub in Lambeth. The Chef is great and the owners really friendly. But in case you prefer a basement party pub where the English are getting hammered and stuffed for ridiculous prices and bad quality then go to the Bavarian Beerhouse in Old Street. No thanks! ;-)

Where was I. Ah, yes. The New Year's Party. It was an 80's party but of course most of the guests being German hardly anyone was dressed up. Also one of the German's favourite hobby "moaning" was celebrated this evening. And therefore the evening started off very slowly with only a few people who had the guts to dance and laugh and just enjoy themselves. I think the rest were just 'busy' moaning. However, after most of the crowd left the party only really got started and around 3am everyone was drunk, dancing and fooling around. I couldn't quite hold the camera straight anymore but here are some pictures of the 80s New Year's Eve Party at the Zeitgeist.

I got home very late, or should I say early. I think I was in bed by 6am but the bright light didn't let me sleep for long enough to recover. So I was lying lazily on the sofa all day watching the fourth season of 'Berlin Berlin' and some other stuff on the telly. It was a good start into the New Year!!

I'm still a bit ill. Haven't quite shaken off all the bugs I had over the last three weeks. Now I've got a sore throat and a really annoying cold. It's really weird. Since I started working at my new place I got ill more often than in the last three years alltogether. Can't quite figure out why though. I'll definitely start doing some swimming again, once all the idiots that have the New Year's resolution of getting fit has ebbed away I will go regularly again. The swimming pool near where I live didn't look too bad. Well, not as good as the one in Beckenham but it's the only one. No choice really!

I've also been to Greenwich just before the New Year. The weather was pretty crap. Quite gloomy and cloudy but the pictures I took from the Royal Navy College and the ice rink are still quite nice in black and white. Flickr-Link: Greenwich in Black & White.

Nearly there

2007-12-30T21:20:00.000Z

Christmas with the family was quite exhausting this year. I've been ill and everyone was rather stressed but it was good to see my grandma and my parents. It was freezing cold but very sunny and it was lovely watching people ice skating on the frozen lakes in the mountains.But after a whole week with them it was definitely time to go.

Now another year has gone by. A strange year. It hasn't been quite as lovely as 2006 but it was still very emotional. But of course you can't have everything. This year I found a great new job, even after more than three months now I am happy doing my job most of the time. And not to forget I moved into a heavenly quiet place with a proper insulation and everything is clean and tidy.

Yes, it's still very quiet and lonely out here but that will take time. I met someone from Maidstone on the plane the other day on my way to my family for Christmas who works near where I live.

What a coincidence. I wonder whether I will live here long enough to make good friends. I hope so, but you never know. I've lived in four different places in the last three years I've been in London. But I somehow have the hope my life will settle a little more than it has been for the last years. I'm quite happy living in England apart from some of the cultural differences when you think you're living in a zoo and asking yourself why you're not back in Germany. But for now it is what it is and that ain't too bad. I'm starting of what I think is a good career, I'm saving some money and I'm spending some to have a comfortable life over here. And as long as I'll be better off in England than in Germany I see no reason why I should go back. And who knows, maybe I'll even stay a little longer for someone special. Thinking of that I only wanted to stay for three months in London it doesn't look too bad for the future, now that it's almost three years ;-)

Can't believe how fast time passed this year. So many things happened and yet it feels like last New Years Eve was only a week ago. Last year I spent it with other Germans in a restaurant and afterwards at the Thames for the fireworks. This year will be a bit more quiet in a pub with friends. It's going to be an 80s party! And I still have to find some fashionable 80s stuff to wear tomorrow. But thanks to Bluewater I'm sure I'll find some unforgivable clothes to wear :-)

Whatever you do for New Years Eve I hope you'll have fun and love in your hearts....

Have a good ride into 2008!

Pictures of Christmas 2007 in Füssen, Germany are as per usual to view on my Flickr account.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-18T21:26:00.000Z

Only 3 more days and it will get brighter again! It has got so dark and cold that I can hardly notice the difference between day and night. In my childhood I used to love the winter. It meant loads of snow, fun and lovely warm inside plus the christmas factor of course! I can still smell this cold fresh air and then the warm sweet almond and gingerbread smell when you got home after a day outside. You didn't have to care in those days. And now!?! Now I'm walking carefully down the hill like an old granny because the concrete is covered in ice and start swearing by the look of my car that has already got a sheet of frost over the windscreen again. No snow here in England. And if there is any it's total chaos. There won't be any trains running in time and every so called car driver will behave like an idiot (not to speak of their all-year-round summer tires). And if that wasn't bad enough the houses are cold from inside as well. To save money of course! People much rather spend it on sh*t like big cars, huge tellies and all the other what they think so necessary stuff. Never mind. They are not all that consume driven the English. I actually know a few who do like having the heating on. Mind you, most of them have some sort of foreign background. Must be a cultural thing.

It's really strange! The winter here is so much milder than in Germany but still I feel I'm always freezing here. In the evenings on the way back home on the train for example, they have the heating off in the trains. Why?? It's cold!! They manage to turn the heating on in the morning, why not so in the evening? I haven't sat on any South-Eastern train in the evening/night yet that had the heating on. Well, in the summer probably... *lol* Ok, enough England-bashing for today!

Even though I quite like christmas I'm a bit grumpy at the moment. I'm having a fever and am terribly aching for days now. I've not been able to get to work, let alone getting out of bed sometimes.

Good thing though is that I have got a new gadget!

Yes, the perfect companion for my camera and iPhone, the Q1 Ultra from Samsung. It's an Ultra Mobile PC, weighs only about 700g with batteries and is like a small tablet PC. Still got a pretty good resolution of 1024x768 with a touch screen display that you can rotate if you like! The Qwerty keyboard needs a bit getting used to but so was the Blackberry Perl model for me. Instead I can use the handwriting tool which is great! I can sync my iPhone with it and watch movies. I can backup my photos from my SLR onto it and even remote into work if I would like to. It's got pretty everything that I wanted!! It's quite expensive so I made a bargain at ebay but it's still miles better than the EeePC from Asus that I thought of buying. The standard battery lasts around 4 hrs in normal use and the high-capacity battery (which is not much bigger) lasts incredible 8 hrs! That's just an argument no other UMPC can beat at the moment. I'm loving it!

So, it's almost christmas and I'm off soon to see my family in Germany. I'm looking forward to it.

New Years I'll spend in London, very classy in a German pub! Should be a good night out I hope!

And next year... ah, we will see. I've got some travelling on my wish list.... now that Paris is only 2 hrs with the train away :-) Merry Christmas!

iMad

2007-11-21T21:27:00.000Z

For the first few days I was absolutely fascinated with my new iPhone, playing videos on it, getting it synced with my PC and surfing wireless in front of my telly and at work. I tried any function there is and now the first excitement ha worn off a little I'm still quite happy and proud to have one. Yes, some say they would find it even embarrassing to get one because you sign this contract and as a person working in IT you should know there are far better technologies out there. Are there? I don't know any device that does do many things I wished for that simple and beautiful. The menues, the effects and all the nice little beauties that have been put in that phone do let you overlook the technical disadvantages, e.g. that it hasn't got 3G, only EDGE, and that it doesn't play all media formats, etc. The list is long, but just as long is the list of it's features, like surfing as long as you like. There is no data-flat out there with any contract in the UK at the moment. So £35 doesn't seem too bad to me. I can access my emails wherever I am and I can access as many accounts as I want. Only thing that doesn't quite work here is that I don't seem to be able to send from any other email accounts apart from the one that I have defined as being the 'default' one. And to name another big failure, the SMS function is the worst I have ever seen. Yes, it's pretty but would it have hurt to have a 'draft' or template folder?? And how do I backup my messages? Yes, I do do these sort of things. But let's talk about the good things. The contacts are amazing. I love the whole visual thing and that it links into Google Maps and Mail and everything. The sync always went fine, though it sometimes doesn't sync back properly when you have saved new contacts on the iPhone for example. Easy solution for this is to disable the Outlook iPhone plugin and try again. Worked fine for me so far. No problems whatsoever with syncing to Windows. I also like the integration to iTunes which I'm using for years now. The amount of music wouldn't be managable otherwise. And here is a BIG advantage with the iPhone for me. Yes, you can copy music to other phones but I would have to find the MP3's first and then copy them over, one by one. Which is an absolute nightmare when you have thousands of albums, playlists, etc. With the iPhone you just select the Playlists you want to sync. Great stuff! And in todays world not everything isn't perfect for everyone. And neither is the iphone. For me personally, I use the contacts, visual voicemail, iPod and iPod-Video, Mail and Browser a lot! And I don't know any other device that does it just as nicely as the iPhone. Watching videos on it is simply fantastic. And it's all ONE device. Yes, the PSP has got a slightly bigger display and even a browser but it hasn't got a SIM card to make calls and have the internet with you all the time. Yes, the Nokia N95 does all this and even better because it has 3G and it has a browser with all the plugins to see any media on the net BUT it's awful with regards to the design of the menu and applications. Also it doesn't look as luxurious as the iPhone and it's just as big and heavy. I must admit the 5MP cam in the N95 is very tempting but the rest of the camera is a piece of nightmare for me personally. Now I'm pretty happy with my iPhone, watching videos in the morning on the train to work and back in the evening. I can even watch German podcasts of a few TV shows I like. And I browse the web if I like to. Last nigt I bought something on ebay via the iPhone whilst being on the train, because the auction ended just when I was on my way home. Handy! And then there's the iPod music bit that's geat, flicking through the albums until I found what I like and read a mag whilst on the train. Or at work, I can chat with friends via meebo, a web messenger service, and finally most important of all, read my private emails! And yes, I place a few phone calls and type some texts every now and then as well ;-) I'm making notes on it, add contacts and enter calendar entrees which I can then sync with my PC at home in the evening. Simple but great in terms of usability!

What else....

The weather is changing from cold sunny autumn days to rainy wet english winter, I have found back to drawing since I was in a few craft shops in Rochester on Sunday and Christmas is approaching very fast. I can't wait to get the Christmas lights out :-) and a few days off to rest and enjoy, visit the family and eat lots of food.

Now all I need to find is a great way to celebrate New Year's eve!

This year I surely won't be going into town. Not again! I'd love to go to a small party or dinner...

iHappy

2007-11-10T21:31:00.000Z

I'm watching a video on my newest gadget and it gives me a big huge smile!!!

The hype that didn't happen! I was at Bluewater, looking out for the new iPhone... and the shop wasn't too packed with people. Amazing! The hype seems to be some sort of over. Why!? I've just started!! I've got that iPhone and I tell you something. I've spent days reading reviews but once you've got it and you can play with it it makes up for all these little weak spots that it's got. I'm loving my new iPhone!! Well, I've only got it for a few hours so far but it's amazing! It's so cool!

If you want to be the uncool geek, go and buy an N95 with a data flat tariff. If you wanna be on the dark side, go to Apple :-)

I've only put the iPhone away because I wanted to write these few lines.

Love and Hope

2007-11-04T21:32:00.000Z

Life has taught me that things happen for a reason, that when one door is closing another one is opening for you. For almost a week I felt far away from this belief and had a pretty hard time. Loosing someone makes you doubt in everything and everyone and no reason could explain the pain you suffer going through such a time. Now almost a week later, torn to pieces and put together again life feels like walking on egg shells and one wrong move would make you wake up in hell again, with all the pain and grief that seemed the so inevitable truth just a few days ago.

Raising your hopes in times like this ain't easy but what would your life be without hope and love?

It would be pretty pointless!

Happy Happy Joy Joy

2007-10-13T21:32:00.000+01:00

I've got a washing machine. Finally! I've already done a few washings and it seems all good. Apart from that I can't turn the annoying signal off every time it's finished. If you don't turn the machine off it just comes on every few minutes. But there must be a way of turning that off. It's a BOSCH, it's gotta have some sort of way of turning it off.

I've also bought funny plasterboard plugs to hang up some pictures. You don't even have to drill a hole anymore, you just screw them into the wall. Modern DIY! I'm impressed!

I also found the previous tenant had a satellite dish and there are four nice holes in the outer wall to fix the dish. I haven't got a ladder yet to get up there, but it looks quite promising that it'll fit the fixture on mine.

But most of all I'm really glad to have my washing machine. And the broadband. It's incredible! With Plus I never got more than 150kb download rates during the day, even though they advertise that they have a contention ratio that is a lot lower than others. Now with Orange I have over 600kb download rates even in peak times. Absolutely marvellous!

And have a guess, my neighbours have been really quiet recently too.

Work is getting interesting. Loads of politics but they are everywhere so it's quite 'normal'. I really can't complain so far. There's nothing where I'd say I might have made the wrong decision. It's really scary to be so 'happy' at work most of the time. Work is good, interesting and challenging and the people are really really nice. Sorry, but I don't know why, but they ARE really nice. I've been in a few places so far but there I feel comfortable and positive. I've booked christmas off and some flights to Germany to celebrate with my family. I have to work over new years instead but it's worth it having almost a whole week off before. And it will be quiet too.

In general I feel a bit like everything is fitting easily together and I'll make sure I'll enjoy it as long as it lasts!

I'm back!!!

2007-10-02T21:33:00.000+01:00

Just when I thought there would be another week without broadband I tested the connection with my old modem/router and it worked! To cut the long story short, I changed my broadband provider and am now with Orange. The 1st level support at Plus was just absolutely inacceptable. I've been with them for over two years and I personally think they have changed to the negative. I don't know how it will be with Orange but so far they have been pretty good and my broadband has been connected almost a week earlier than expected.

Apart from that my move has gone smoothly, though it was very exhausting. It's the second week I'm in the new house now and so far I really like it. There's only one thing that is a bit annoying. Have a guess! Of course, the neighbours. In the evening you can hear their telly or worse sometimes their music. Britney Spears on full volume. That is just torture! But I asked if they can at least keep it down after 10pm and they have been good so far.

I have had a very busy weekend, going shopping for some furniture and all the little bits and pieces that were to sort out. I couldn't get everything into the car on my own because it was just too heavy. That reminded me of the downsides of being single. All the stuff you just have to do alone and nowadays people just walk past you. Well, apart from a seventy year old man who offered his help. It must be down to education. Today on the DLR, a fair old lady standing in the crowd next to me, nobody offering her a seat. I did when someone was getting out. I'm not a samariter but people are incredibly selfish these days. Or is that just London? It's rare that I see strangers helping each other. More often I see self-important looking overdressed girls and boys on the trains, chatting into their mobile phones about the weather and who did what. Has it always been like this? I wish there would be a phone-ban on the train. Text-messages and emergency calls only or something like it. Honestly... early in the morning I just want to have some peace and quiet on the train, read a paper or so instead of having to listen to the rubbish that comes out of some peoples heads. And they obviously don't care about anyone around them either. Whether it's the old lady that is standing up squeezed in between all the people on the overcrowded train or the people who are just not interested in their private life they are advertising through the whole carriage. Anyway... just thought I mention it. It seems I'm not the only one with these thoughts. Last time I asked someone blurring into her phone right next to me if she's going to be finished soon. Everyone looked rather thankful at me and the woman next to me made a stupid comment and ended her conversation. Job done! I wish it was just always so easy.

But I got carried away... I've done most on my house and having a garage is really great. The train journey is ok, a bit longer but therefore I got more time to read. And once I got the new iPod nano with video I'm sure I'll finally get to watch 24. The walk to the station in the morning is quite long but very relaxing in the evening. Walking along the river without a soul to be seen. That makes me feel really calm and comfy. Weird, but in today's world with all these millions of people around you every minute of the day it is really lovely to be able to not being surrounded by anyone. Not that I don't like company but it's just so lovely and quiet. This walk home really makes up for all the moving and long train journey.

So far so good.... more stories from my new home soon.

Seven days to go

2007-09-15T21:34:00.000+01:00

It's only seven days ahead to move out of my current flat. I'm sitting in the middle of a huge mess of boxes and all sorts flying around. As I've only really got this weekend to pack it'll be a lot of work to do this weekend and to be honest I'm not really looking forward to it. It's just so much work. Having been tortured with a terrible migraine as well for the last day I feel really tired and empty. But it has to be done. And I'm confident I'll get everything packed up until next Saturday.

My first week at my new job has been really good!!! I absolutely enjoyed it. The people are nice, professional, funny and very positive. My new manager seems to be a good and humorous guy and from what I've been doing so far I couldn't complain much. I'm getting lots of training over the next couple of weeks and it's lots to learn anyway. It's a huge company and you can really feel that. It will take a while until I got the puzzle together of who is who and what is what. At least I know where to go for food :-) Very important!!! There's all you really need, a great canteen with almost every food you wish for and a stunning view over London, a roof terrace for the sunny days (though it's very windy out there and I learned that even salad can fly), a sandwich and snacks bar and a coffee bar. Brilliant. All I need, really. And of course, now that I'm based in Canary Wharf there's the big shopping centre underneath. Shopping heaven! However, I'm still discovering new things every day and work is fun so far. It's a lot more creative and looking out for new technologies and testing is a lot more interesting than doing floor support. Why did I ever wanted to do that? Ah well, been there, done that. Was a good exercise I guess. Anyway... I've got to get going with packing and stuff. But I've got some pictures from Cornwall I managed to upload. I've been there last weekend and the weather was sunny and warm! The first and probably last real holiday this year. I even went for a swim in the sea - which wasn't a particularly good idea because I had a cold whole of this week. But apart from that it was lovely and I've seen some really nice places. St Ives and Newquay were a total disappointment, but Mousehole was lovely.

Pictures from Cornwall on my Flickr site.

Finally the Tower of London

2007-09-04T21:34:00.000+01:00

Today has been one of the best days for quite a while. After having given my car into the caring hands of a mate to get it fixed and MOT'ed I went into London for a haircut, which I am pretty happy with. Shame I might have to find a new hairdresser when I start working in Canary Wharf. I met up with Steve and enjoyed a lovely lunch in the sunshine with him. Afterwards I went over to the Tower. I've never been to the Tower all the time I've lived almost in its neighbourhood. I spend about two hours in there and I have to admit it was worth the money. I loved the beefeaters. They were really amusing and simply nice and entertaining. I've even got a quite touristy photo with one of them. The crown jewels were less interesting than the buildings themselves but the stories of the warden who took us through the grounds with lots of stories and anecdotes was really enjoyable.

Afterwards I went to St Pauls Cathedral but unfortunately it was closed already so I decided to give in and go to the London eye to get some panoramic views from London. I wanted to wait for the sunset but then I couldn't be asked with sitting around for another two hours and just got into one of these egg shaped cells. Together with a whole bunch of eastern european tourists I did quite enjoy the ride. But I must admit the Tower was far more interesting than the London Eye. On my way back I walked along the South Bank which was busy as ever. I felt really good. Maybe because I didn't have to go to work. London still is a great city.... as long as you don't have to work in it.

I'm looking forward working in Canary Wharf but I will miss the City.

Pictures from today's trip are on my Flickr.

Doin my head in

2007-09-03T10:00:00.000+01:00

I really seem to always look out for the big sh*t in life. Even though it always works out in the end and I'm quite lucky to often be in the right place at the right time I can't avoid getting stressed out.

Having come back from Dortmund on Thu my parents arrived including the dog. My time in Dortmund was good but somehow weird. I felt I wanted to get back 'home'. I was longing for a proper bed and some more sleep. I had a few too many migraine attacks in the last months. It's just been too stressful, all of it. I really enjoyed having my parents around for a long weekend but I was also craving for some peace and quiet and my own bed. Now I've got three days on my own to sort out my moving, do some sightseeing and all the other stuff I never get around to do otherwise. I'm going to Cornwall over the weekend and start my new job on Monday. But guess what, it doesn't all go as smooth as I would like it to. After having realized my MOT is overdue I got the car to the testing centre this afternoon. I was in good hopes until I accidentally met a mate of mine there. It didn't look good and he was right. It failed completely with a bit of welding to do on the chassis, the brakes being done again and the exhaust being fixed. Plus a few other bits. But lucky me met just the right person today I guess. My mate offered to fix my car whilst I'm away in Cornwall. Maybe life ain't that bad after all. It's just aggravation. I just haven't found a switch to not let it stress me out. Having had so many migraine attacks recently I feel like a wreck and really could do without all the stress of moving house and start living in a completely unknown area whilst starting a new stressful job.

But hey - Life ain't easy.

I'm playing golf tonight and get my hair done tomorrow and life will be bright and sunny again.

Holiday Time

2007-08-24T21:35:00.000+01:00

Complete coincidence my holiday is at the same time as summer holidays but it's already mayhem on the roads out there. I hope it'll be a bit better tomorrow.

I've just come back from a round at the driving range with my new golf clubs and I was really aggrevated as I could hardly hit a ball straight with my new clubs but it was an awful day and it was muggy and hot so I was just too stressed out to concentrate. I will try again when I come back from Germany. I can't wait to get to Dortmund though the weather meant to be crap... again!!!... whereas the UK is expecting a lovely sunny and warm bank holiday weekend I am going to rainy cloudy and cold Dortmund. Ah well, I'm used to it. I'm sure I'll have some fun :) Seeing friends, visiting the Spirit and FZW, going to the local spa and do some shopping.

Today has been my last day at the French bank and in two weeks time I'll start my new job in Canary Wharf. It's quite a relief that everything seems to get sorted at last. And in four weeks time I will be moving to Greenhithe. Yes I got the house and I'm really looking forward in moving into it. It will be a big change, new job and new home and area. Two environments completely changing in my life. I'm thinking positive but it still leaves a bitter taste that other things will suffer more under this change than they already do. It feels like sacrificing one thing for two other. But it's been a long time and it will show very soon whether it was meant to be or not. To be really honest my feeling is telling me there are rough times ahead. Never mind my natural negative hat but my instincts usually don't fail me. God, I wish I'm wrong this one time!

It's raining again...

2007-08-19T21:37:00.000+01:00

I bought some Golf Clubs. Not exciting? Maybe not for you! But it was for me. After having looked for what I could, should or wanted to buy I finally, after weeks of research, have settled down on a set of golf clubs that shall arrive next Tuesday. Ok, I haven't got a clue about golf clubs really, but they look good... so they will feel good. I can't wait now.

Apart from that life has been a bit up and down this week but I'm getting there.

It's bloody raining again. Really annoying. Fancy having a summer party in the garden today. What a nightmare. Originally I've booked a place for me in the Unity Ride.. a ride on my motorbike through central London in the aid of a charity. It's a great idea but the weather is sooo bad this morning I don't think I'll be going. I just can't be asked sitting on my bike getting completely soaked and riding through town for hours. I paid a bit of money for it but that won't pay the bills if I get ill and can't work or even worse... will ruin my holiday because of illness. No thanks.

I've been to the cinema yesterday and seen Transformers. What a movie! Never been a big fan of Transformers but I liked the effects and transformations. Pretty cool. But more important I saw the trailer of another movie I haven't heard of before with Russell Crowe. It's call 3:10 to Yuma and is some sort of a western with David Bale, who also played in the London Film Festival movie surprise The Prestige. Sounds quite cool to be honest. Will see when it's out.

And now the biggest news for the weekend... I saw some flats and houses yesterday again and guess what, I found one. It's perfect. It's a lovely little mews style house, but only a few years old with lots of space, a garage, carport, terrace, garden and in a pretty good shape. Only thing is, I hope I convinced the landlady I'm the right person to rent her house as she wants to get the right one. Totally understandable.

I've got a call back from the other flat I've seen the weekend before where the landlord didn't want to go down with the price even though I only offered what the current tenants are paying anyway... which is still more than the house would cost. Now after a week obviously nobody else took interest so they came back to me and accepted my initial offer. Ha! But I said I would wait how the house hunt goes for this weekend. Now I really want to rent the house in Greenhithe I've seen yesterday but will keep the flat as a backup.

Greenhithe

2007-08-11T21:38:00.000+01:00

Half of today I've been in Greenhithe. One of three flats was really good and it would be possible to move in around mid September if the landlord will accept my offer. It's not a massive flat and probably quite expensive for what it is. As already mentioned I'm not too keen of moving to Greenhithe but the prices around the Bromley-Orpington area have gone through the roof. You can't find anything halfway decent under 900 per month. The same for the whole Hayes and Beckenham area. Considering all the extra costs like Council Tax, Phone, Water, Electricity, Gas, etc. you are looking to pay around 250 on top of it anyway per month. Plus, of course, around 100 and more for the train ticket, and that doesn't include the Tube or DLR.

The flat is very 'compact' and I think a little smaller than the one I'm living in now. But there are two parking spaces, one of them is covered in the lower ground car park, which is great for my bike in the winter. The two bathrooms haven't got a window but they are in a pretty good condition and quite spacious. An then there are the balconies, two of them. One from the lounge and one from the master bedroom. The sun only comes around at about 4pm but it's lovely when the sun sets at Dartford Bridge. One thing which is really strange is that everything is running off electric power. The heating, the hot water, everything. But as far as I know electricity is a lot cheaper in this country than gas. And I won't have any problems anymore with broken gas boilers or anything. It's all pretty new, which is nice. After having lived in really shitty and old places for the last three years I wouldn't mind something new, something hopefully well built. And also it is the top floor which means there won't be anyone walking above my head at night. And therefore it will also be more secure. I was always worried in my current flat about someone breaking in. The only noise I was a bit concerned about were the neighbours around but regarding to the couple who are living in the flat at the moment everyone is really quiet. The ferries and big ships apparently won't go at night and all you hear is the waves coming in. I guess from a noise level point of view this is as good as it can get. If this won't work, then nothing will. I really love the water, even if it's just the old dirty Thames. It gives you some open space where usually would be thousands of houses. Makes me feel calm and relaxed and that's exactly what I need. Somewhere you can come home to and just relax instead of having to listen to your neighbours conversations, washing up, music or footprints above you. Not feeling 'surrounded' anymore, that would be nice. Getting out of the house and not having to fight your way through hundreds of Chelsea tractors and school kids and all this rubbish. I've read that this area has very little families unlike Bromley. I'm not against families but I want my peace and quiet. But I also don't want to live in some dirty hole like Grove Park where all the so called 'young professionals' live. No thanks. But a downside of moving to Greenhithe are definitely the trains. It will take just over an hour to get to Canary Wharf. Maybe quicker on my bike which I want to ride in - depending on the weather of course. Would also save me some money on the trains. I also will have to do a testride on the train. I need to see how packed it might be. There is only one train that's going directly to Lewisham in that hour so I can imagine it will be very busy.

There doesn't seem to be much around Greenhithe either. There's a big ASDA which I'm not a big fan of. Well, I've only once been shopping in there and found it just as bad as Tesco's. And yes of course there is the Bluewater shopping centre but no sign of any good restaurants or pubs. There were two in the village but both got pretty crap reviews online. And I will have to give up my German television I guess :-( because the whole flat is facing north. So no way of getting a satellite dish on there unfortunately. I guess I will have to join Sky in the end then. Or do more shopping for German movies online. I will miss the comedy shows though. But then again, I didn't have German telly for over two years anyway. It was just quite handy now. I'm sure I can live without it.

The walk to the station is along the river which can be really nice. It's still 15 min which is even longer than I have to walk now but it's all one level, no hills or anything. There used to be a shortcut but since they have started digging for the tunnel for the Eurostar it has been closed. Though I don't quite believe it's for the Eurostar because the tunnel is being built further east and Ebbsfleet International Station will be near Northfleet. However, it will be good to be near that Station. Maybe I finally will get to see Paris.

All in all it is exciting and once I have moved I will hopefully be happy, get more sleep and just have done what I should have done a lot earlier. I remember when I moved in, it was the second or third night and I heard my landlords next door in the kitchen and my neighbours upstairs. It was an absolute horror. I felt trapped. But what can you do if you just signed up for a twelve month contract. I have slept enough nights on my sofa now. Good Night.

Moving again?

2007-08-10T21:38:00.000+01:00

I wonder sometimes whether I am just a bit too sensitive but even now that I'm living in the 'countryside' around 20km away from London (but still within the M25) I feel surrounded by people, cars, houses. Even in the posh outskirts of Chislehurst, Bickley and Petts Wood you always hear someone doing something, even at home. Is the world going mad or is it me? Don't people recognize? And why don't people at least 'consider' other people's room so everyone has some space to breathe. Or is the world becoming stupid and under-educated? Isn't it 'normal' that you try and do your best not to bother your neighbours or people around you? Do they not teach you that when you grow up anymore? That at least doesn't seem to be valid for my landlords next door. In fact they have told me I should look for something different as soon as possible because they feel stressed about that they have to tiptoe around their own house because I can hear everything.

Hello!?! Reality-check!?! Why not just improve something!?

Ah! I see, we have a problem there. Would cost money, wouldn't it? It's a lot easier to just not bother, throw the current tenant out and just get someone else in who doesn't complain.

I just don't get it. The kids are laughing and screaming around in the kitchen at half past ten on a school night and when I ask for a bit of peace because I have to get up, get the train into the city in the morning to go to work to pay for this noisy piece of something that others would call a home and they ask me to leave because they feel uncomfortable. I seriously thought there might be something wrong with me hearing everything from their kitchen even though apparently no tenant ever complained about the loud discussions, the screaming and laughter of the kids or the barking of the dog at 5 in the morning.... but NO! It's just them being completely lazy and inconsiderable.

Now I'm going to look at a few riverside developments in Greenhithe tomorrow. I don't know what to think of it yet. It's not the nicest area but the view is fantastic, the trains to London are ok and the rent prices are moderate. Only concern I have is that I know nobody who lives around or even near that area. I don't know ANYONE who lives near Dartford or Gravesend. Probably because I don't want to know people who live there because it usually is a crap area. Greenhithe is somewhat up-and-coming. And then there's all the other stuff, like activities or opportunities I have in Bickley. You have a great swimming pool in Beckenham. Honestly, this is the only swimming pool I would go to in London probably. It's almost hygienic to German standards. I mean, look at these old dirty swimming pools in and around London. Yuk! It's just awful. But I also don't see the point in spending £70 per month for a gym membership just to go swimming twice a week. And then all the 'nice' little shops, the cricket fields and all this ancient little town feeling doesn't exist in Greenhithe. And of course the most important there are the people that I will see less and less. And Sevenoaks is not just a few min more. It's like moving from Bermondsey to Bickley. All the so called friends I had in the city were just too lazy to come and visit. You always have to come to them. That means I will have to look for some new people again. And I have the feeling that Greenhithe isn't quite the place to meet people who are on the same level to talk to. That sounds even just as chav as moving to Essex. I really don't know. I guess I'm not really good at making compromises. But I guess I'll have to see. I would only move there if any of the flats I'm going to look at tomorrow are any good. They are nicely located at the river and the sunset at Dartford I've seen there on Wed was simply stunning. I would love to be able to sit on my balcony and have this lovely view... but being even more isolated than I feel here at the moment.

Starting from scratch again. It's tempting but also scares me. Since I left my last job my relationship hasn't gone very well and I think when I move it will crash completely.

Maybe it will make things easier. But maybe it will only make it easier to let go after the last couple of nerve-wracking months. However I have the feeling It just won't help it.

But I need to find something more peaceful. I can't go on like this any longer.

...anyway... will see what the flats look like tomorrow.......

As one of my mates said to me: "She who dares wins!"

Changes

2007-08-06T21:39:00.000+01:00

The summer finally arrived last week. The sun has been out every day and the temperatures did even reach the 30 degree mark on Sunday. I've been out on my Bros to Southend for a Memorial ride for fallen bikers. It was a good day out and a great idea but Southend was packed and it was really hot in the biking gear. Though I had a skirt with me I decided I won't change as it might look a bit ridiculous wearing my biking boots to the flowery skirt. I might have worn the golf shoes I bought in Lakeside on the way to Southend with the skirt but I doubted I would be much of a trend setter with this combination.

At least my bike got a few miles more on the clock. I've been visiting the shop I bought the bike from to just check the oil and chain and saw an SV650 which I sat on really comfortably but I got told off by the guy who sold me my bike for not even having done any miles on my current bike. Well, next year maybe then... he's right. I've not been riding the Bros for long enough to justify a new one. And it's a good bike. Really easy to drive, lovely sound and very reliable!

And I might need a reliable one in the coming months.

After having left the job I've been doing for the last eighteen months I started at a french investment bank where I now resigned as well after only two weeks as I've been offered a permanent position at an american investment bank in Canary Wharf. I still can't believe they offered me the job. It's been a long time of interviewing and waiting and waiting. But I've never been so positive about a job opportunity and therefore I'm full of enthusiasm and basically can't wait to start there. They obviously have to do all the reference checks now - which hopefully will go all well - and then I should be working there from beginning of September. I'll be going to Dortmund for a few days in between and (finally!) visit Cornwall where my parents are staying for a week early September. So it's all working out which is brilliant. Please let the weather be good!!!

I also got some new upstairs neighbours who seem to be really really nice and a lot more considerable than the other couple that was in there before and driving me nuts at night with their cats running around upstairs or starting the washing machine at 9 am on a Sunday morning. I also booked a golf course in Sidcup after having played with my parents last time I saw them and having bought some nice golf shoes yesterday :-D So, it's all good for the moment.

And to top that I've been to see my grandma and parents in Fuessen in Bavaria last week, we played golf, had some nice food and a good time. Unfortunately my grandma has been and still is quite ill which concerns me but I guess that's how life goes and I can only go with it and try to make the best out of it. Life is never perfect.

And with these words I'll go to bed and wish everyone a good night.......

Mayhem

2007-07-21T21:39:00.000+01:00

Some might have wondered what I've been up to recently. It's been a busy time for me and it doesn't seem to take an end. Which is, in this case, actually quite good and exciting!

I can't tell much yet apart from that my job environment is changing :-) hopefully to the better!

Apart from all that life changing stuff it feels like a normal weekend, like any other this summer. It's cloudy, cold and windy, I've done my shopping and am somehow just a simple happy bunny today.

I had this glorious idea to buy a new suit today. So I went to Bromley High Street and found myself in a complete summer sale mayhem. Even Debenhams was swamped with chavs. Honestly... try finding anything under size 18 in a sale is a miracle. That must be shopping heaven for all the big people. For me it was an absolute nightmare.

Back home the latest and last Harry Potter book arrived. And I haven't had a look into it yet. I will try and resist until I've sorted out everything else first but I know I will have to read it soon. Otherwise it will be spoilt. It won't take many days until everyone is talking about who died in the last Potter book. And I honestly don't want to hear it! Not yet!

The book isn't my latest toy though. This afternoon when I was thinking about what to get my grandma for her birthday I had the brilliant idea of going out to buy a photo printer. I bought it online and picked it up immediately. The setup was somewhat annoying but I got everything up and running. This is the first ever printer I have owned for ages! I have had an old slow laser printer some years ago but threw it away as it was far too heavy and slow and the toner was empty anyway. Now I've got this massive big printer on my desk. It wasn't that expensive so I didn't expect the world from it but just after I had printed the first picture I was all excited and impressed. Now it was time for the real test. I printed a picture I have taken with my digital SLR borderless onto A4 size paper. It was reasonably quick and the outcome was stunning! Ok, my camera does take brilliant pictures but I wouldn't have thought the printer would be just as good as the prints I usually order. I'm seriously impressed with these new photo printers. I bought the Canon Pixma iP4300 after having read some reviews and so far I'm more than happy.

Now I've only got to think about what I'm going to do with all these prints :-)

Where's the summer?

2007-06-24T12:00:00.000+01:00

Not sure if it's the year 2007 but it's just not getting warm this summer.

It's end of June and it's 15 degrees out there and raining. And it just doesn't seem to get any better. If it would at least be a bit warmer. I'm freezing. And I'm still turning the heating on for half an hour a day to get at least some heat into the rooms. And all this in the middle of the summer. The weather forecast looks like a lot of rain next week as well. Great! Well, I had two very sunny summer in London so I guess there must be a crap one and next year it might be a lot better again.

I'm just craving for sunshine and heat. All my holidays and short trips this year were rainy and cold.

To keep me a little warm I edited some more pictures from my last trip to Füssen in Germany.

The sunset on the way back via Dover was stunning... and apart from the hail storm and a few days of rain it was a good trip to see my grandma and parents.

Happy Days

2007-06-23T12:00:00.000+01:00

I've just ordered tickets for 'Herbert Groenemeyer' in London!!! He's giving a concert in the Royal Albert Hall in London. Unfortunately it's completely seated... so it probably won't be as good as BOCHUM 2003. That was just awesome. But I've got tickets for the front rows. Bloody expensive but who cares. Also 'Wir sind Helden' are playing in the Mean Fiddler the day after that concert in September. Last time they played somewhere in North London. Was a good concert though this time it'll be easier for me to get home so I can have a few drinks more.

I've got lots of other stuff planned to visit my grandma for her birthday end of July and see friends end of August. Hopefully getting away mid September for a few sunny days and am just planning for a trip to Paris end of the year. Though it's just about three hours with the train I've never been to Paris. Reminds me always of Sex and The City's last episode. What a moment. Well - don't think it'll be quite the same when I visit Paris but life ain't a fairytale.

It's one of these weekends where you just want to do NOTHING.

It's been rainy for the last few weeks and not quite summer yet. So I didn't get my bike out as often as I wanted to. But I'm still with hope we will just have a late summer this year.

Finally... I uploaded all pictures of my trip to Devon in May.

Also I've discovered a great technique that makes your pictures look rather artistic like a painting.

Here are some pictures enhanced with the Orton Technique.

It's been emotional

2007-06-07T12:00:00.000+01:00

I've just come back from Germany about a week ago and yet it feels like ages. Loads of things happened in the meantime. It sort of feels like I'm stuck in a roller coaster and there's no way to jump off it. After a massive surprise whilst being at my grandma's last week and a phenomenal drive home with a beautiful sunset over the cliffs of Dover I had a moving weekend with some decisions to be made that frightened me. But sometimes you have to be stronger than your fear. And I think I haven't done too bad. I'm a bit more relaxed but the real decisions are still out there to be made. And sometimes I'm not sure whether I will stand through each single one of them. Some people might say I'm a fool trying it on but I think I would be a fool not to. You can outwit your brain but you can't outwit your heart.

It's almost summer and it feels like the past half year went by far too quickly. But I somehow found myself back in some sort of a normal life with people around that I like. Now the motor biking season has begun again I joined a group for ride outs and stuff and so far I've met some really friendly and relaxed bikers. And then of course there are the few German friends of mine... one of them going back to Germany... the other one moved on to another part of town. It's really frustrating sometimes to watch people go. Because it always means you have to make the effort to meet new ones. Of course it's not all too bad. You get loads of variety and always some action but it can get too much. Some balance would be nice.

I can't say the last two years have been very balanced but I also can't see that this has changed for the worse in my life ever since I got to London. It's always been a bit of a mess. But I somehow have the wish for some more peace recently. All this emotional stress of relationships, living, work, friends and all the ups and downs in life just make me feel tired.

A bit like running in circles.... and a lot of waiting in between. That's life that is.

I've not had the time to edit all the pictures from Devon and Germany on my roller coaster ride yet but the pictures from Dortmund and some from Devon are online now.

Holidays again

2007-05-23T21:42:00.000+01:00

Back from Dortmund and Devon I'm already looking forward to my next short break in Germany to visit my parents.
I haven't quite found any time to write about the last few weeks let alone editing and uploading any pictures but they will follow soon :-) My trip to Dortmund was interesting and made me feel a bit homesick at times. But what a couple of great days I had. All started with a really crap weather forecast which predicted rain and storms. Great! As if my rainy trip to Tenerife wasn't enough I was looking forward for another holiday full of rain in Dortmund. Happy little me arrived on time in Dortmund and just as the taxi dropped me in front of a mates home I got the message he would be late for about an hour. Great! But at least it wasn't raining yet! I had another friend on the phone who told me someone had kept his girlfriend in his freezer a little while ago in this street I decided to go to the next pub and have a few drinks. I've been many times in there and people were looking rather irritated by me sitting there with a suitcase all alone in this typical Dortmund pub. Oh dear! And I bet a few of them wondered whether they've seen me before. Yes, they have but I wouldn't dare to put them out of their misery. After almost two hours my friend I was staying with for the first night arrived and we had a few drinks. Next day I got a hire car and moved to another friend. Yep. Many friends around there in Dortmund. And that's the main reason for me going there of course. After a visit at my dentist, my GP and the best after work club in town ever I was reasonably happy. I met loads of old friends and people I knew when I lived there.
Everyone of my friends had more or less moved on, finished their study or were about to, started new jobs, married and got on with life. It was lovely seeing and spending time with each and everyone of them. The best day was Wednesday when I went out to an after work club. I went there almost every Wednesday of the year for a while and now it felt a bit like coming home. I met loads of people there who were still doing the same thing. It made me feel warm and welcome. But maybe it's also got to do with the few drinks I had. I don't know. But I felt I was missing this. And you know what.. I don't think such a thing could exist in London. Yes, there are trendy hip places.. e.g. in Shoreditch but they are all about being hip and cool.
Whereas in Dortmund people going out are just a little more 'relaxed'. Of course there are the teenage clubs with all the chicks and hip boys dancing to the latest rythms but the people I'm talking about... these people of 25+...they don't dress up like the latest fashion model or brilliant artist, no matter if male or female. It's more like a nice living room with some lights and music where people just meet up to have a nice evening after work but without the binge-drinking culture of the English pub. I somehow wish I could find that anywhere near Bromley. But I guess this will just stay being a wish... when I look at all the pubs and clubs and bars around me. I don't know every one but whenever I go out I just see people being dressed up like models even though they aren't. It's all this dress-to-impress rubbish..
Where girls and boys are in this sort of role behaviour that the prettiest will be taken. Reminds me of history lessons and evolution rather than civilisation sometimes. It's nothing wrong with dressing up but all these girls in their bin bag with a massive big belt around their bellies and their legs in those black leggins and little flat silver shoes... not to forget the latest make up... they just look WRONG most of them! There are a few really good looking girls I sometimes see on the train or in the city but all the rest just look like chavs. And a lot of them sound like it when they open their mouth. And then they run around in tracksuits in the morning in the shopping mall. Hello???
Maybe some people now might think I'm being jealous. No, I'm NOT. I'm really tired and bored of people like this and this form of socialising amongst the English in general. Mind you, the complete opposite I've seen with a lot of Germans over here in London wasn't quite the right thing either. I'm just longing for some normal people that know how to dress up nicely but have some brains and can think a bit out of the box. Is that expected too much?
Maybe it's going to change with a bikers group I signed up with. Most of them see to be a good bunch of people and quite relaxed. I've not been riding my bike a lot recently but I hope this is going to change soon when the sun is coming out a little more often.
Enough English bashing for now :-P Back to Dortmund. There obviously are some not so nice things as well. I can't name a lot but people aren't as friendly in general. Well, they are but it's different. All these rules of politeness just don't exist. It doesn't make them rude it just sounds worse if you tell someone to f*** off :-) One important good thing about Dortmund was that I felt instantly safe ... but I think a lot of the bad feelings I always have in London might be due to the common paranoia you are being taught by the English media every day. In fact nothing ever happened to me in the last two years... and I lived in Hackney!

When got back from Dortmund next day I went off to Devon...
Dartmouth...english countryside. Lovely! I've never seen so many sheep and cows in my life! Even in the middle of little villages there were greens with with sheep on there enjoying their life. And the ice cream in Devon is fantastic! It wasn't quite ice cream weather but it had to be done. The colour of the green was amazing! I would recommend this part of England to see at least once. It was very relaxed but probably that was mainly because it was off-peak season. The weather turned out to be a lot better than expected and it was reasonably warm. Dartmouth itself and Salcombe are the best two towns I've seen around the southern part of Devon. I even had to try cockles and winkles. Yuk! It was disgusting. But I had to I suppose.

And on Friday I'm going to see my parents and grandma in Germany. I'm really looking forward to this. Haven't seen either of them since early February.
The weather forecast says 33 degrees and sunshine for Saturday. Incredible!
Lovely! I'll pack my bikini.... There are a lot of little crystal clear lakes around where my grandma lives. Otherwise I'll just chill out in the sun and have a nice time!

Dortmund, Dortmund

2007-05-04T12:00:00.000+01:00

Last weekend was brilliant. As I already reported the Saturday I spent in the countryside. And I went to Brands Hatch this weekend... and have been sitting in a bloody fast two-seater. That was so fast I've almost wet myself. First lap I was just swearing, second was all about trying to hold my breath and at the third one I was just in fear for my life and wished this to be over. My stomach wasn't very impressed either. But it was a great day. I even found the winning German A1 GP car that was just getting ready to get shipped back home. Thumbs up!

Pictures of the racing day at Brands Hatch are to find at my Flickr Page of course.

At the moment I'm sort of preparing for my trip to Dortmund tomorrow. I'll spend most of next week there, visiting friends, doctors and some clubs and pubs besides taking some pictures of course. Last few days have been a bit of a nightmare so I feel a bit unprepared yet. I had to go and see a dentist (in a matter of urgency) and she just pulled a whole tooth out... without sewing it afterwards. I was on my bike. She 'ripped' this bloody tooth out. And then there I was, sitting in my whole biking gear sweating of fear and exhaustion in the waiting room to wait until the bleeding would stop and some colour would return to my face which was so pale the medical assistant asked me if I wanted a mars bar ... just for the obviously needed sugar rush. Ha ha. Funny! NOT!

With some sort of cotton wool in my mouth and a crash helmet covering my face from outside I went home on my bike. This must have been the worst bike trip in my life so far. I looked like someone had beaten me up. But at least the dentist was really brilliant and I'm glad she was so understanding and calm.

Now I still have this gap there and it's healing fast but still it spoiled the last days. I missed out on going to a golf driving range, a biking meet up at Borough Market and a few other tiny things but I'm looking forward to going to Dortmund.

It's been a while since I've seen my friends... actually last time I saw them was in July last year at the world cup semi final. It's sad but I didn't have time to go and see them and none of them bothered to visit me again. Mind you, most of them were very busy and didn't have any spare money for an expensive city like London. So it's me again going to Dortmund. I'm curious. It's been a while now. If anything changed? How is it being back in Germany after such a long time? Could I imagine going back at all? Or have I changed too much already? I must admit I have applied for a few jobs in Germany. They say the IT job market is growing very fast again at the moment. Always a good time for a change. I'm not sure about what will have to change but I know something has to change.

I hope I'll find some answers in Dortmund.