A short time ago I wrote about a suicide and after thinking a while about it, I came to the conclusion, that I do not like that post. So I deleted it. I do stand behind what I think, but I did not write it well.
And it sounded cold. So I didn't feel good with that post.
Some of you read it, maybe you know. At any rate, there is less harm by deleting the post, than by keeping it on.
At any rate, I have to find a new topic, don't I? Hmmn
Somehow I don't know. Ah, yes. I heard a song, that I liked. Sung by Curd Jürgens. 60 years and no bit wiser it is called. Not owned by me. It is not actually sung, though. It is rather spoken. Most of it.
But it is a nice song. So, even if you don't understand a word of it: enjoy the music!
Since I have time on my hands and ideas in my head, I thought about how to use either to a purpose.
I have been planning my life for the next umpteenth years in every conceivable direction (conceivable to me, that is) and since that is done, I need something new.
Therefore I decided to write short stories. Not shortstories. I have just learend, that there is a clear difference, but you have to look it up yourself. :-) At any rate, mine are short and they will all be about some sort of criminal act, cleared up by accident or luck or connection or all of it and always by a non-detective person. No Miss Marple, since I do NOT have Dame Agathas talent. And it will not always be the same person. It may be a woman, a man, young or old, a boy or a girl, a duck or a dog, anything.
The general title is: I am no Sherlock Holmes and I do hope, that is not copyrighted already. If it is, I hope someone will tell me, then I shall have to re-name it. Or you know what, I do it now. It will be called: I am no detective. I do not thnk that can be copyrighted.
My stories will be written every Friday, starting on 1st November 2013. I do not know, if I write one story for one Friday or spread it over several Fridays. I do not even know, for how long I will do that.
We all shall have to wait. Wether there is interest or not. :-) Though, if you are not interested, you are spared the waitng. I'd say.
At any rate. That is the general idea for the almost immediate future.
Other than that and as I have often mentioned: autumn is here. And - as I might have mentioned, but am not sure - I go walking, more or less regularly, with a couple of ladies of my aquaintance. Yesterday we were at it again. Due to a soccer-game taking place in our town and the traffic to go with it, we took a circumventive way. And because of that our driver took a wrong line in traffic. Fortunately. In that way we took a walk a long a river and in wonderfull autumn-foliage. The weather was great and there was not too heavy traffic. Actually we were astonished, that there was any traffic at all. It was great fun and we were very thankfull to our driver.
Next week due to a nationwide holiday - All Saints-Day - we will go on the Friday, because more people have time on the Friday, then on the Saturday. So we are out and about that day and I have the whole Saturday for housework and shopping. Very nice.
As to the - not owned by me .- "movie" for this post....
This week is almost grown into the middle. I wouldn't say it was easy, but it wasn't in any way hard.
So far, enjoyable. The weather was nice, my nephew turned 16, work is good, colleagues are nice, friends even better. And that even though I have been boring them to tears with my plans. No, not world domination this time, and it would take to much time to plan that on my own anyway. And no fun, hard work, unpleasantness, who'd want that, who has a brain and a working heart? Exactly.
No, my plans concern my finances, my time, my health. Actually, topics a lot of people think about now and then or - like me for the past couple of weeks - all the time.
Well, I had fun, but it is not really amusing to others. At most they might get some ideas for their own plans, if those are going in that direction... You are lucky though, you will be mostly spared. Apart from a new link I put on this afternoon and todays book...
That book is called: the complete Tightwad-Gazette. It comprizes all three books made of the same gazettes, who were sold/ sent out in the 1990ies in the U.S.
It has been compiled by Amy D. You can write out the name yourself from the title. It is pronounced decision. So not as hard, as it looks. She is or was also called the frugal zealot, short: f.z. So for convinience sake we stay with f.z.
This is´, as I wrote, the collection of all the gazettes, plus a little extra and there are not only her ideas, but also those of her readers, friends, family, aquaintances. A world of information about how to make more out of your money. In times, when a lot of people all around the world are out of work, it seems very helpful. Even if you do not live in the U.S. or have six children or both, there are a lot of hints, that can be used universally. So among all of the books, that I bought without much thought, this has proved a very sensible buy and has actually saved me quite some money and could have saved more, had I been consistent. It is also written in a very nice style and has some good drawings made by the author.
Very much worth the reading and try out. One can not always save a lot of money of course, but it is possible to save some. So, if you get a chance to buy it, then do so and even if you try out even a few of them, you'll see a nice change, without loss of personal comfort.
As to the video today: Not owned by me. Definitely fun... :-)
My personal needlework consists of knitting only. With a little added crotcheting to connect, what I knitted. When I was a teenager, we did stitching in school, but I couldn't say I was really apt in that.
So I stayed with knitting. The working together my stuff so far does not work so very well, but I can say, that with every project I am getting very much better. Or at least better.
I have finished a shirt and it is assembled or some such thing, but I couldn't say, that that worked out perfectly. However, it is done. I'll show it to my family on my nephews birthday. See, what they think about it.
For some time now I have been working on a blanket, made in a sort of patchwork style, using the rest of my sock-wool or that of my Mom and/or Aunt. So yesterday I went to a big amount of pieces and started to sort lines and I am now in the process of finishing one line. Well, after I finished here and after I ate something. :-)
For now I wanted to write about something else. I do not know, if you know this song:
I don't own it. It is from Milow and called: "You and me (in my pocket)". The melody is very nice, but the text is the most frightening I personally have ever heard - or remember at least - in a so called lovesong. To me it sounds like total impronement for the poor partner. This goes for any sort of relationship. When one partner totally controls the other, that for me is just pure horror. Well, listen for yourselfs and pay attention to the text.
I am awaire of course, that there are people in the world, who like this feeling. Either as the recipient or the giver or both, so this is just my oppinion Apart from the text, it is a very nice song though, even to me.
This is one other matter, but I wrote "matters", in the plural. The other is, that I would like to add some books I have read and liked - or not liked. I will give a picture of the cover and write, what I thought about it. It may be classics or it may be modern.
A lot of the books I know, I do know as audiobooks. Sometimes in different versions, too. Mainly the books by Jane Austen.
An actual example is Persuasion, which I am currently listening too, while I do my needle work. I have it as an audiobook on my i-pod and I have a 3-CD-box as well. I also have the book, though lent to my niece right now and I have a DVD. It is a good book and my personal favourite:
The story is about Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth. She is the daughter of a down at heel baronet, who is also very vain. Her Mother died, when she was 14 and her older sister took over the household duties, as was the rule in the 18th century. Her younger sister got married and she stayed at home.
At the age of 19 she met and fell in love with Frederick Wentworth, then on leave from sea and just made a captain, but without command. They wanted to marry, but her family and family friend convinced her, that it was a bad thing for either side.
Eight years after that, her Father had to rent the estate and move to another town. It so happens, that the estate is rented by an admiral Croft, who is brother-in-law to Captain Wentworth. While her Father and Sister move to bath, she goes to stay with her younger sister to keep her healthy and happy. While there she meets the captain again. Well, the rest, you had better read/watch yourself.
I recommend the film-version with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root (who reads my CD-Books-version as well and very well). It is very well done indeed. And happens to be the only one I know.
Go and get a version tomorrow or buy it online. It is well worth it. Maybe you can even watch it on youtube? I don't know. But it is a nice story and shows very nicely how well Miss Austen was able to capture the different ways people look at the world.
Which reminds me of an aquaintance I have and who is always complaining. I called on her birthday and during 30 Minutes of talk, she complained 25. The rest of the time I spoke. Usually, by the way, I am the talker... :-) Still, it is really hard to stand and so I keep contact low. I know, that she does not have an easy life (harder then Annes sister Mary for sure, who is a whiner as well). But I also know, that there are a lot of people in the world, whos life is much harder and who strife to make at least part of it nicer. One cannot always laugh and sing, but one can at least try to find a corner, that makes one happy,.... just saying....
So, that was it and it was a very long post, in order to make up for the recent short ones. Now though it is 1.47 pm here and I am really hungry. So cheerio until next time... :-)
meaning,, that I have not yet resolved my computer-problems. But the internet is working again.
But since I have a lot to do today and will be working late, I write now and not this evening.
Nothing much happened since Sunday. I finished my pullover, meaning I knitted all parts and connected all parts. But I have to do the neck and to get the ends weaved in. But then it'll be done and I can give it away.
It is too small for me. Hmm, well whatever. I will start the next shirt on the weekend.
Today is a sport-day, but only the treadmill. Then some "cooking" for tomorrow. Meaning by that, that I do a potatoe-salad and buy some sausages to go with it. Maybe I whip up some dessert. I'll decide tonight.
Today we had a meeting for a New-Years-Meeting of my department. We came up with some nice ideas, but you may know, that whatever someone plans, others might not like it. You can't create anything, that everybody likes. God couldn't, so why should we mortals? See my point exactly.
But we found something, it means to make some calls and some adjustments and then to ask for the all-clear from the head of department. But I think, that will happen.
Other than that I fear, that this again is one of my short posts. And another one without film, only a - not-owned-by-me - picture.
Due to heavy problems with my computer and the internet-connection at home, I couldn't write a post yesterday. I shall have to check what the problem is and find a solution. I'll keep you posted, but without videos, since I can't install them here.
Since my last post I have been knitting like mad and am almost finished. Friday I bought new wool and so I can start on a new pullover, when the parts of the current one are connected. I also did some major grocery shopping - nearly broke my back - and over the next few days I will create soups and casseroles and stews and stuff. A lot of cooking therefore.
There ist also my work in the office, sport, meeting a friend, doing the housework at home and trying do get some Yoga-Stretches in. It isn't easy, but someone has to do it.
Oh, on Saturday I went walking and it was lovely to walk through the would, with the leaves changing colour and/or falling. We all enjoyed ourselves very much. It was dry, too. Another reason to enjoy ourselves.
Yeah! It is raining and the wind is blowing, the leaves all falling. I just love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it. My favourite time of year. Coming home to a cozy flat, putting my slippers on, putting the kettle on, changing in something comfortable, knowing that I can stay at home and do not have to leave my flat again until tomorrow morning. Wonderful.
I don't own the clip, as ever and in this case, I do not agree either. A rainy day or even a rainy day feeling to me is very nice. But then, maybe I'm screwed? Ah, who cares. But why would I search for things to make me unhappy? Ohohoho..... wasn't there a post about having a song that I find sad and that makes me sad? Yes, there was and I do, but I have many more songs in my head, that make me happy. There is so much unhappyness in life, no reason to make it worse. Every reason to find ways to get happy... I had the next clip before - I think - but it does not hurt as a reminder.... (don't own it)..
I found a waaay different version though. Liked it too. There is another one, buy Hugh Laurie. Good as well, but a bit dark. Personally I think, if you sing about being or getting happy, it should show.
It is a bit like singing the Ode to Joy by Beethoven to the Melody of the Funeral March. It does not click. Well, it does not click for me anyway. there are as many different oppinions in the world, as there are people. And that is a good thing. But here as well, you may differ. Only, that would prove my point, don't you think? :-)
Anyway, I am in my favourite season of the year and if all those texts about the starsign virgo are right, then that is consistent with it. Hey, I am "working" according to someones plan... amazing...
Well, let's leave it at that, I have to leave, there is some knitting to be done. Maybe I can find some nice clip for that as well, owned by someone else and perhaps not quite made for me, but about leaving...
Now, the smell of freshly baked bread (or freshly ground coffee for that matter) is (are) delicicious. I just love it. Yesterday I baked a sunflower bread. It was for the Thanksgiving-Service, but I wasn't feeling too well after a night of coughing, so I didn't go. Therefore I'll have to eat it by myself. Which I am doing with relish really and a mango-chili spread, accompanied by a good cuppa.
As to the "almost" in the title: actually, I only filled in flour and water. My baking automat did the rest. But the smell of the bread still filled my flat.
Really wonderfull.
I enjoyed another quiet day today, up to 1.10 pm, when I jumped up to get to another part of town, where my parents were singing with a bunch of kindergarten-kids on a feast-day. A feast of colours, though not in the indian way. My parents had been singing at different times with those kids, but I never made it there. Today though I really hurried there and I made it. It was really worth the trip. It hast been great fun seeing everybody have fun. My parents included. They tried the songs out on my youngest niece, when she was still in kindergarten and she liked it as well. And they sang with her on birthdays in the family.
My parents have - I think - hardly missed any recital of my siblings of myself, so I think it is only fair to catch any of theirs that I get the chance. And I never so far regretted it. Today I just went there and then my parents accompanied me to the bus-station. It is a lovely sunny day today. Especially good, when you have a party in the open. Yesterday, when my girls went walking, it was very wet. I didn't go, because of the aforementioned coughing. And it helped. This night I did not cough as much, but I got into my bed rather late and thought a lot.
Anyway: as to bread and freshly ground coffee, to the later even more: I do love coffeehouses like Starbucks. I do not like to drink coffee pure. As Cappuccino or Caffee Latte or Latte Macchiato or Milk-Coffee: great. As only coffee: no. Just as I do not like to drink milk just as milk. In hot chocolate, with my cerial or in my caffeine-drink yes. Alone: no.
So, I do like bread (and butter) and I like tea. Let's search some songs about this... I don't own any of the videos, but you know that already.
Some songs by the way may not hit my tastes, but yours... :-)
Tea combined to the music of a Queen-song. Fits. :)
Tomorrow is the day of German Reunion. Meaning, that the two Germanys became one around this time. Well, actually and officially on November 9th, but the day to remember became Octobre 3rd.
For me, though I do appreciate that there is only one Germany now, it is only a day off and in this year a chance for a long weekend. For others it may be a day of great happyness. Because their families are no longer divided or they are free of state controll, out of political imprisonment and free to say their own oppinion aloud. And in that way, it is really good to remember it.
Germany though has a way to trample things down. Not in a warlike version, don't get me wrong. And with the best intentions, too. It is important to remember the day and we are an earnest sort of people. So remembering isn't done - in general and officially in a happy day. With happy songs and dances. It is mostly done with very earnest documentaries and speaches and sad films about the time, the Berlin Wall was build. But if you remember the end of a horrible time, you should rejoice I think.
Only, for some people, the horrible time started after the wall fell and Germany was reunited. They had to turn their view of the world upside down. They had to get used to the western world. Somehow, a lot of good eastern german stuff got lost. And a lot of people moved away from the east to the west. Leaving people there destitute. Now: I am blaming nobody who left and nobody who stayed. Nor do I praise either of them. I do not know, what I would have done. If I could get a job in the west to feed my family or even just myself, I would have certainly left. If I had no need to do that or couldn't because I had animals to care for or people who couldn't leave, I wouldn't have. I do not know and it is right as people do for those people.
It remains the fact though, that the sharks descended on them right after the first stone fell. Because sharks know how to steal peoples money. Especcially those, who have no idea of what sort of evildoing is possible.
This is a reason, to be ashamed of as a western german person. For someone else in my case, but for themselves in the case of the sharks. Though they don't know shame, I suppose. Or they wouldn't have done it, even to earn money. Or will have stopped, when they saw their error.
Wow, this one is moody. Proof, that I am an earnest german woman...
So let's stay in the town, where it started, but change to a happier tune.
As always: I do not own any video I link to this blog. Just so you remember. Now, before you start the video below, let me write something about it:
It is called: I hab' noch einen Koffer in Berlin (I still have a suitcase in Berlin). It is about a person who is homesick for Berlin and to keep an anchor there, left the suitcase behind. Well, an imaginary one, but one with dear memories of Berlin. I write this for those, who do not know it and/or do not speak/understand German. This version is sung by Hildegard Knef and it is the best version I know. There are those by Marlene Dietrich and others, but I actively dislike Marlene Dietrich and certainly her way of slaughtering this song.
What I want you to do is: listen to the instruments. It is a peacefull flow of instruments. Alone for these instrumental artists, it is worth listening too.
So: lean back, close your eyes, enjoy... And have a happy weekend. Short, long or otherwise... :-)
It has been compiled by Amy D. You can write out the name yourself from the title. It is pronounced decision. So not as hard, as it looks. She is or was also called the frugal zealot, short: f.z. So for convinience sake we stay with f.z.
The story is about Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth. She is the daughter of a down at heel baronet, who is also very vain. Her Mother died, when she was 14 and her older sister took over the household duties, as was the rule in the 18th century. Her younger sister got married and she stayed at home.