Brothers, sisters where are you now. How free are we? Liu Di, dubbed the “Steel Mouse” might say “we aren’t at all”. The 23-year old Chinese student had been imprisoned for nearly a year after she had been accused of being a “cyber-dissident” by her country’s government. Freedom of speech is relative, you see. I…
Read moreNow the sun’s gone to hell and the moon’s riding high. Once again thinking of Finland. The good and the bad times I had there. Was having dinner with a co-worker last time. It’s amazing once you slowly make a transition from being an outsider at the job, in your hockey team or wherever. You…
Read moreSomething to think about. You say you want a war- But do you understand, What can really happen, If we don’t go hand in hand? As people we’re divided, Against the greater cause. Who’s to say what’s right or wrong, When relying upon God’s laws? We don’t always take the time, To see what’s really…
Read moreThe Iceman. Today Steve Waugh announced his retirement form international cricket, to take effect from the end of the Australian summer. Although it is probably the right time, his retirement marks the end of an era for me. He’s definitely the toughest and most talented player and captain to play for Australia in my lifetime…
Read moreIt’s late in the evening; she’s wondering what clothes to wear. So Marie is getting married. Actually I am not surprised. She’s probably more ready for it than anyone else I know. Weird, how this protective way of thinking kicks in. (is she really ready, isn’t she too young…) – blah, I guess everyone’s ready…
Read moreDefining my life. What an emotional rollercoaster the last year has been for me, but now I finally feel some stability returning to my mind and my life. As much as I love so many things about where I am now, I have finally realised that this is not the place for me to be…
Read moreWell I try to say there’s nothing wrong. But I hate going home alone in the evenings. Somtimes I watch how couples behave, yesterday was such an evening. In a way I just envy them. I’m here and Sanna is at the other side of Europe, 2200 km away. It’s not just the feeling to…
Read moreAny given day. Working at a newspaper is amazing. If you’d walk in our office before 11am any given day, you could think it’s Sunday. It’s probably the most quiet place in the world. After that (or better after lunchtime), all hell breaks loose. Yesterday was such a day, it’s like on a command all…
Read moreNo comment. I’m at school once again, past the time I need to be here. I’ve been doing this all week. Maybe I’m obsessed… I have been so busy lately that I sometimes forget to sleep as I should. Oops, but I’m loving every minute of it. I like to stay busy for then I…
Read moreAn Austrian state of mind. Was driving to Graz (about an hour away from Klagenfurt) on the highway that goes straight through the mountains to the north of carinthia. The ride there was pretty okay, but when I drove back in the evening the whole beauty of this place dawned to me. The sun dipped…
Read moreMusic for the soul. “I wonder if you can pick up my accent on the phone When I call across the country, When I call across the world. I can see you in my kitchen I can picture you now, as you toast to your small town and you drink the happy hour…” It’s Monday…
Read moreAs far as my feet will carry me. When Clemens Forell left his wife and daughter in 1944, he didn’t know that the train that would take him to the eastern front would never bring him back to his native of Munich, Germany. The book “As far as my feet will carry me” has sold…
Read moreFor the love of the game.
It started when I was a little kid. In mid to late december the first lakes would start freezing here and as soon as the ice looked strong enough to carry a couple of people and their hockey sticks we’d go out and play until dawn. When I started playing in a “real” team the…
Read moreAgainst the odds. It’s late here, way past my bedtime, but I’m wide awake after just watching Australia beat New Zealand in the rugby world cup semi-final. This was the game that the All Blacks were meant to win, this year some would even say that they were destined to win, but as so often…
Read moreIf she’d only know. Either it’s me or her. Sometimes I can’t believe how my mom gets into little details of problems and freaks out about them. It’s an ongoing battle, she just seems to be unable to step over those little things and try to build something betweens us. If we’d be constructing a…
Read moreI still call Australia home. Today I really feel like I’m an Australian. This may seem like a funny statement to most of you reading this, but being away from home for so long and being around so many different people from different places, can dilute this feeling most of the time. As much as…
Read moreIn the middle of the night you come to me, There’s a smile on your face. I recognize this scenario, Yet I do not know this place. You speak to me with rhythm, To which my heart beats the same. I know you just by movement, But still I don’t know your name. Why do…
Read moreécoutez moi: je t’aime It’s something with intensity to survive distance, time, anything. Through all, it prevails. Love. This is the greatest thing that anyone can ever experience. This includes self love. Love yourself before others can love you. If we all had a bit more love, we’d have a lot less war. Such a…
Read moreA waterfront for everyone. A few weeks ago my Mum sent me a great article (from the Weekend Australian) about Hobart, my dear home city. One of the things that stuck most in my mind from this article was a comment from Michael Field, former premier of Tasmania. He claims that one of the greatest…
Read moreThe big zero. Wasn’t able to write for a couple of days. It’s weird of how this thing of “being able” to write comes and goes. Vladimir Putin is all over the media here. Seems he underestimated the trouble he got himself in for the arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russia’s richest man. (The Economist titled…
Read morePeace is not a question of legitimacy, but humanity. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/05/1067989611611.html
Read moreA quarter of a century. Today is Sanna’s 25th birthday. Amazing, nearly three years since I got to know her. I remember the day she left Austria, I remember it as if it was yesterday. I felt lonely, lonely as I had never been before. Two years after that day in June 2001, Sanna is…
Read moreRain. After many long months it has finally rained here again. I never thought that I could anticipate the first rain of the season so much, that I would even crave it. Unfotunately it is over already, but you can see where it left its mark, and the earth is alive again. Bring on the…
Read moreA farewell to arms. Remember Hemingway saying “this is the war to end all wars” and thinking of Einstein “A problem can never be solved on the level it was created on” – when will we as mankind will be able to say a farewell to arms? Today a US helicopter was shot down in…
Read moreAt home in one hundred places. This last week has been one of the most crazy, confusing and amazing of my life so far. After feeling lost and misplaced only a few short weeks ago I find myself now with the hardest decision of my life before me, and not the one I ever expected…
Read moreAll Saint’s Day. Thinking of my grandpa, mom showed me a huge picture of him she had hidden somewhere. Would he still reocgnize me? Would I recognize him? Either way, he’s guarding me along my way, whereever he may be. I believe.
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