My first proper visit to East Germany

This afternoon I will be going properly to East Germany for the first time. I went through it on the train in 1995 on the way to Prague, but only glimpsed a little. I'd had a busy time in Berlin before and was popped. And East Germany had no particular significance to me then. But I thought it might be interesting to post some of my preconceptions about the place before I went, and the compare those preconceptions to the reality when I am back in a few days.

1. I picture lots of big slab sided grey tower blocks with fading paint and rusty balconies.

2. Lots of big grand statues and monuments.

3. Lots of old people about.

4. A slightly depressed vibe in the air.

5. Lots of wide open countryside with tended fields.

Most of these seem to be related to the look of the place I know. But I genuinely can't construct an idea in my head about how people will be, what the food will be like, etc... Part of me is thinking it'll be like Communist Russia, but I know that things have westernised since Germany re-unified.

I'll post again on Monday with pics and impressions. It'll be like Dom's Holiday Guide!!

Borrowed from Misguided

Misguided - the source of current creative things has come up with another list. Although it might have come from someone else before.... (plagerism is the highest form of flattery!)

01. Take the book that is closest to you, open it in page 18, what does line 4 says?
Miss May can't wait that long for... (from FHM)
02. Extend your left arm all you can. What’s the first thing you can touch?
My colleague Bettina (but would rather not)
03. What was the last thing you watched on TV?
Latest round of British Superbike Championship
04. Without looking, try to guess what time it is.
14.53
05. Now look at the clock, what time is it?
14.37 (am hoping work day will be over sooner)
06. Besides your computer, what can you hear?
Some German radio station. Kind of drowns out everything including any thoughts.
07. When was the last time you walked on the street?
An hour ago.
08. Before coming to this page, what site were you visiting?
Misguided Fool's blog
09. What are you wearing?
Blue T-shirt, denim jeans, bike boots
10. Did you dream last night?
Yes, and it was nice.
11. When was the last time you laughed?
This morning on the phone to a friend.
12. What’s on the walls on the room where you are?
Calendars, lots of accountancy records and a picture of a baby monkey tucked up in bed.
13. Have you seen something weird lately?
See 12.
14. What do you think of this test?
Is a fascinating study of introspection.
15. What was the last movie you saw?
The Italian Job (new version)
16. If you became a multi-millionaire tonight, what would you buy first?
A house in Barcelona
17. Tell me something I don’t know about you. Be sincere:
I am a qualified Aromatherapist and Reflexologist
18. If you could change something in the world, that wasn’t politics related, what would it be?
I would make all of the complicated things not complicated anymore
19. Do you like to dance?
Yes, slowly and intimately
20. George Bush:
Simpleton with dangerous amounts of power.
21.a. Imagine your first kid its a girl. What would you name her?
Keeleigh or Manon
21.b. Imagine your first kid its a boy. What would you name him?
No idea.
22. Have you ever thought of migrating to another country?
Yes
23. What language would you like to learn how to speak fluently?
Spanish
24. Name the top 3 TV shows you like the most right now:
Star Trek Enterprise
24
American Chopper
25. Say something profound:
It's better to live with the consequences than with regret. (sounds better in French)

The garden ....

I spent far too much of the time this week-end in the garden trying to sort the bloody thing out. Having totally ignored it since I moved in (December) everything has grown a bit. Well, actually everything has grown a lot! And I've been putting off 'sorting' it for as long as possible, but finally it caught up with me.

So all the weeding was done, patio and drive were sprayed with weed killer, and the pace was generally swept up. And then came the lawn. The grass seems to be lots of different types (is this normal?) and most of the types don't seem to like being cut! I strimmed (is that a word?) the whole thing twice which killed me. And then mowed it the next day. Which made very sure I was dead. And it looks better, but not great. I'm resigned to the fact that I will probably have to mow it again this week!

Don't get me wrong - I love gardens. I have a deep interest in grass and am fond of flowers. I am so looking forward to sitting on the patio in the evenings, with a nice gin and coke in my hand, watching the sun go down. I'm also not afraid of hard work, but somehow gardening hasn't clicked with me. I guess when the grass is brought under control a 10 minute mow might be acceptable. But I am seriously considering a gardener!

Or, my friend Yossarian has created an amazing Japanese garden at his house, and this also appeals. I have a deep interest in the Taoists principles and this would be a place of calm, meditation and reflection. Creating that sort of area would be incredibly intense, but would also require total commitment and focus. Which is so therapeutic sometimes. And the result might be even better than sitting on the patio with a cocktail in my hand...

What country are you?

Thanks to Misguided for finding this. What country are you?

You're Fiji!

As calm, relaxed, and removed from life as they come, you're just so
chilled out, it hurts people to see you. Everyone aspires to be where you are, but most of them just can't put their stress away. Little do they know that even you sometimes have inner turmoil and struggles! For the most part, though, it's sun and fun for you, and that's the way you like it. It's just sort of hard to get things done with all that partying.

St Georges Day

Every country has a national day. and April 23rd is the English one - St Georges Day. Named after a knight in shining armour who killed a dragon a few years ago. Not sure what the connection is to England other than we didn't have a national saint at the time, and the English do love an underdog who triumphs!

Here, in honour of this fact, I'm wearing the colours of the English Rugby team. No dragons or knights in sight, but an Enslih red rose is the symbol. And it's the only vaguely nationalistic clothing I own.

A new friends blog

I've been working on a blog with a friend for the last few days. It's linked above or as 'Terri' on my links buttons. It's just starting up, but has potential. Maybe you could pop by and leave a pin on her guestmap. She's a fantastic artist as well and I'm trying to persuade her to put some of her work on her blog...

When I open my eyes ...

I came across the blog that is linked above and found it an intriguing idea. What do you see when you first open your eyes? I guess for most people it'll be the bedroom, but what exactly in the bedroom? Or do you have a great view from the window? For some reason i seem to always focus on this light first. Never figured out why. Or if there is even any mystical significance like 'I am looking to light' or anything like that. What is your first conscious sight in the morning?

London Marathon 2005

This week-end was the 25th London marathon. The above picture was my friend Aaron and I at the end of the 2003 edition. Our first marathon. and run in very similar conditions that year to this time round. This post is dedicated to everyone who ran in 2005. You are all heroes and just lining up at the start gives you entry to a very elite group. And whether you just take part or finish no-one will ever be able to take the achievement away from you. And it means you have nothing to prove to anyone again. Ever. There's one of those No Fear adverts which says 'Either you ran today, or you didn't'. Everyone who lines up on the start line can think of that, say it and be proud.

And I would say to anyone who has never done anything like this, give it a shot. It doesn't matter if you run or not (I don't really), something like this is amazing to be part of, and is something you will carry with you for the rest of your lives. As you can see from Aaron and my faces in the pic. We are both dog tired, but so proud. I can even forgive myself the 'good' idea to bleach my hait and stick some face paint on!

I love you all

You guys are why I love being part of this world community. I am away for a while and come back. I leave a rather weak and apologetic post. and yet I come back to discover some really nice messages from you all. It so restores my faith in humanity and I want to say thanks for that.

Apologies for absence

I just want to tell you all that i haven't forgotten about any of you and I do check in on you when I get the chance. Things are ridiculously busy at the moment and I just haven't had the chance to jump on the computer and get myself properly organised. I have been involved in a couple of things which are taking hours. Work is going Ok, but starting to get tired of all the shit. And it's eating into my precious blogging time! And if being shit seems to make everything happen 10 times slower and require 10 times more effort from me to get it done. Added to which my boss has come back from being abroad for a while and is hovering round the office like a Gnat. Not causing any major damage, but just being extremely irritating. Want to swat him, but he's bigger than me.

Even things like my photography have been neglected recently. Although now Spring is making a concerted effort to appear I hopefully be finding some of those magical flower photos that I want to practice. Am eyeing up a particularly nice set of Daffodils on the Common near my house.

This is probably not the most inspired post ever, but I am conscious that I haven't been on enough recently. Was just sitting here and thinking. 'What to write about?' There are a few things going on which may come out in time, but can't really talk about them at the moment. So I find myself just saying hello. And saying that you are all out of sight (temporarily), but definitely not out of mind.

Weight of opinion is Blair is a liar

I discovered today that if you type 'liar'into Google one of the top hits is the Tony Blair autobiography.

Which is ammusing.

Election watch

It was announced today that we will be having a general election on May 5 in the UK. where we get to elect a new government for the next 5 years. I'm not going to have a particular rant about politics or voting. At least not yet. Save to say that I do feel privileged to have the vote because I know much of the world does not have it. I also believe that I have the right not to vote if I choose. But if I choose not to vote then I have not right to complain about politicians or what they do because I have chosen not to participate in their election.

I do have a problem with many of the politicians though. The desire for power should automatically preclude you from ever getting it. Unfortunately a system hasn't been established that stops the buggers from getting into power and messing things up. Also I feel that if i would not want to have a drink with them then they are not deserving of my vote/support.

So in the spirit of how I feel about the next four weeks of bollocks and lying to get into power (otherwise known as the election campaign) I will be monitoring the amount of junk mail I get through the letterbox. Ie. which party is so desperate to get into power that they are prepared to chew up the planet producing leaflets and other landfill. I will keep track of it via a vote caster, where each party gets one vote for each piece of junk I get through the door. As a reference I will also monitor the number of pizza "restaurant" leaflets I also get. For some reason we seem to have more of these places in my area than you find in Rome!

I'm not sure what I'll do with the results, but it might be interesting. Equally it might not. But we'll see ...

No posting

I don't know if anyone else has been finding this, but I've been unable to post for the last few days. I try, but it just seems to hang for ages and nothing happens. I won't criticise Blogger because it is a useful tool, but please ...

What a week it's been. The Pope has died which is a shame. I'm not religious, but I think he did some good, and seemed a cool enough guy. Wonder who will follow him? Maybe it's time for the first black Pope since 496 AD?

And our potential future king, Charles, is marrying a horse on Saturday. Which everyone else seems to have aview on except me. I think she's a bit rough, but have no opinion on if they should marry or not. At least they're too old to breed.

Hope you're all well. Apologies for my absence. I'll show you what I've been up to if Blogger let's me post some pics.

I'm back in the driving seat

My ebay purchase arrived this afternoon and as you can see is working a treat. 'Wheelgate' is over!

End of Star Trek/start of Battlestar Galactica

I read yesterday that Star Trek Enterprise has been cancelled, and we're about to enter a period not seen since the orignal series ended its run just a few weeks before Apollo 11 landed on the moon: a time without a Star Trek film or TV project on the horizon. From the reaction I've seen thus far, the consensus view seems to be that this is merely a pause in the trek, and that before too long, we'll be talking about the newest take on Roddenberry's universe, be it television, feature, animation or sock puppet. I tend to agree, insofar as I know first hand that Viacom considers "the Franchise" to be one of their crown jewels and I've personally heard them refer to the "next fifty years of Star Trek" as a corporate priority.

So Star Trek isn't dead and it isn't dying. It has, however, entered into an interregnum, a pause in the treadmill of overlapping productions that have become the norm for the series that was once considered "too cerebral for television."

Certainly there is sadness in this news. There has been a Star Trek production either in prep or being filmed on Stages 8 & 9 on the Paramount lot since 1977, when Star Trek: Phase Two began initial construction for a second series featuring all the original characters but Spock (these sets were then revamped for Star Trek: The Motion Picture). An entire infrastructure has been built around the productions, staffed by people whose involvement in the Franchise goes back over two decades. The dedication, passion, and talent of these artisans and craftsmen cannot be overstated. The unsung heroes of Trek, the people who sweat every detail, who take the time to think through continuity and try to make the vast universe consistent, people like Mike and Denise Okuda, Dave Rossi, Michael Westmore, Herman Zimmerman, Bob Blackman, and many others, are about to leave and take with them an enormous body of knowledge and talent that cannot be and will not be replicated again. That is cause for both tears and eulogies as the close of Enterprise signals the true end of an era.

However, there is another side of this story, one that perhaps is somewhat more hopeful and positive: Star Trek has now been returned to the care of its community of fans.

I say returned because there was a time when the fans were the exclusive owners and operators of what would later become the Franchise. From 1969 until 1979, a genuine grassroots movement of fans gathered together in conventions, published newsletters (in the primordial ooze of the pre-internet era, no less), wrote scads of fan fiction, created their own props and uniforms, and dreamed the dream of what it was to live aboard the good ship Enterprise.

Star Trek now returns to the care of its fans and its fans can decide for themselves what kind of experience they want to have during this next interregnum. They can consume the seemingly endless licensed products available to them from the Franchise, everything from barware to shower curtains, and read only the mainstream, officially licensed and sanctioned books, or they can go their own way. Some of the most daring and creatively challenging Star Trek material has been created not by Paramount, but by amateurs, who simply had an idea for an interesting twist on the Trek universe. Think Kirk and Spock were secret lovers? Wonder about the social and cultural history of the planet Vulcan? Believe the Mirror Universe is more fascinating than our own? All these topics and many others were, and are, tackled by fans in their own fiction, their own stories, their own dreams.

Step back from the merchandising. Rediscover the joy and wonder of the universe Roddenberry created. Talk to people who share your common interest and who understand the difference between phaser mark I and mark II (duh!). You don't need another series to enjoy Star Trek. You need only your own imagination and the desire to boldly go where no man has gone before.

On another positive note the new version of Battlestar Galctica has been commisioned for a second series. This version is based on the premise of the original, but doesn't just re-film it. The story arcs are more down to earth and plausible, and the characters are more believable. If you're into Sci-fi I can really recommend it. Series 1 has recently finished in the UK and is running in the US at the moment. The series also fills a significant gap in the science fiction genre that has been open since the end of Babylon 5. The ladder goes Star Trek/Star Wars/xxx. That is to say nice and cuddly fantasy/more real fiction, but aimed suqarely at kids/more real and gritty. I think there is a place for all three on TV, and they give something for everyone to everyone.

I hope that Battlestar Galactica will be given the opportunity to complete it's story arc, much like Babylon 5 was a decade ago. I hope that it will run for a few series, and the survivors of the Cylon attack will find the lost 13th colony (Earth). The original series only ran for 1 series/24 episodes interestingly. Although it is very well known so people think it was on for longer. The new version is filmed in a different way to most sci-fi (crash zooms, losing focus as the camera follows characters, dirty and battered people and ships) and is refreshing for it.

Fingers crossed ...

My first smoothie

My first smoothie. I've decided to enter the world of smoothies and this is my first effort. I've bought a recipe book (for guidance only of course!). And this is the first product. a 'Pango Mango'.

2 Mangoes
2 Peaches
1/2 tablespoon of Vanilla essence
5 tablespoons of natural yoghurt
8 tablespoons of Orange juice.

The Vanilla makes a huge difference and makes it quite sweet. But this drink is very good for energy and skin (apparently). Although with the skin thing I'm not sure if I should be rubbing it on myself? And it tastes bloody good and doesn't half fill me up.

Anyone know any good recipes? My book has about 400, but it's always good to get thoughts from real people.

Dom is an insomniac

This is me at 0148 on 28/03/05. I can't sleep and thought I'd trawl the Web. Not sure why I'm thinking this because it's waking me up and not helping at all. But anyway. I ate quite a lot of chocolate before retiring to bed so maybe that hasn't helped either. But anyway. I'm also listening to a techno/dance concert from Germany which is excellent. But it is just making me want to dance and not sleep. And one of the singers sounds like Janet's cats. Which is mildly ammusing.

I've discovered that there are many "blogs" which are trying to sell something. Insurance and medical stuff seem to be the most popular. Which I can't help feeling is a bit wrong and missing the point of blogs. But then again I guess this is a free world and people can do whatever they want. And who am I to say something is right or wrong?

Luckily tomorrow is also a holiday in the UK so I don't have to get up early. Or is it today? I had decided to stay in London over Easter so that I could relax and recuperate. and now I'm up at 0148, quite relaxed, but making myself more tired. This sucks!

My first time ...

My first purchase ever on ebay. I feel I've been a bit left behind in this whole online auction thing. Even my parents have sold on ebay before me! Hopefully everything will work out and the thing will turn up ok. How have people got on with ebay?

Happy Easter

Easter. A time for relaxing, eating, going to church if that's your thing and pausing for breath before the summer really starts. It's a bit of an earlier pause this year with Easter being in March, but who's complaining! Have a great vacation everyone.

This is why we always lose ..

I was sent this by a girlfriend. It maybe explains a lot.


The husband yells, "When you die, I'm getting you a headstone that reads, "Here Lies My Wife - Cold As Ever.'
"Yeah?" she replies. "When you die, I'm getting you a headstone that reads, "Here Lies My Husband--Stiff At Last.'"



Husband (a doctor) and his wife are having a fight at the breakfast table. Husband gets up in a rage and says, "And you are no good in bed either," and storms out of the house.

After some time he realizes he was nasty and decides to make amends and rings her up. She comes to the phone after many rings, and the irritated husband says, "What took you so long to answer the phone?"
She says, "I was in bed."
"In bed this early, doing what?"
"Getting a second opinion!"




A man has six children and is very proud of his achievement. He is
so proud of himself, that he starts calling his wife, "Mother of Six"
in spite of her objections.
One night, they go to a party. The man decides that it is Time to go home and wants to find out if his wife is ready to leave as well. He shouts at the top of his voice, "Shall we go home Mother of Six?"
His wife, irritated by her husband's lack of discretion shouts
right back, "Anytime you're ready, Father of Four."





A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly the man realized that the next day he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it.
The next morning the man woke up, only to
discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight.

Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.



God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.