Something 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 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.
Read moreIt seems like I should say “as long as this is love…” Sanna’s 25th birthday is coming up, I remember last year we had this nice dinner in downtown Jyväskylä and I got her Anne Frank’s diary, because I wanted her to understand where I came from, the legacy and burden even 3rd generation post-war…
Read moreShe says Shhh, I know it’s only in my head. Bianca had her 23rd birthday yesterday. Went out for dinner and had a pretty interesting discussion – Bianca had spent 1 1/2 years in San Diego – of how being abroad, spending time away from the people and things we know, changes us. We just…
Read moreA promise. “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.” Nelson Mandela – A Long Walk to Freedom I believe.
Read moreHanging by a moment. Finally got to see “Baltic Storm” today, I posted about it just before I left Finland. The sinking of the passenger ferry “Estonia” in 1994 is counted as one of the biggest post-war maritime desasters. Still the governments of Finland, Sweden and Estonia have done everything possible and impossible to cover…
Read moreTu felix Austria. Today is our national day. On October 26th 1955, one day after Austria’s ten year occupation had ended, the Austrian government declared Austria neutral now and for all times. Nearly 50 years later, we’re still neutral, that in the middle of world that slowly descends into war and terror. It took us…
Read moreNot in my name. “You measure a democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists.” – Abbie Hoffman We may just look a bunch of crazy dissidents to some, but those who I marched with today in San Francisco once again confirmed something for me. That there…
Read moreSpecial needs. Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism — how passionately I hate them! Albert Einstein (1879-1955) America, are you listening? I believe.
Read moreTake me away. I’ve seen it all and it’s never enough it keeps leaving me needing you take me away take me away I’ve got nothing left to say. Well, I guess there’s quite a few things left to say. Because I believe.
Read moreFree Speech. For the first time, George W. Bush has visited my home country and oh, what a reaction it has invoked. Once again I am proud of those politicians such as Sen. Bob Brown and Sen. Kerry Nettle who represent me when they challenge the US goverment’s right to hold Australian citizens and others…
Read moreBeautiful day. It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it slip away. How true. Had a good, day, this winter’s first snowflakes are silently kissing the earth. Thinking about last year. How targetless I was, begin drifted along by life. Now, I feel like I’m back on track again, the right track this one time. I…
Read moreThe Price of Oil. Voices on the radio tell us that we’re going to war those brave men and women in uniform they want to know what they’re fighting for. The generals want to hear the end game the allies won’t approve the plan but the oil men in the white house they just don’t…
Read moreA perfect moment. Warsaw. A cold winter day in the December 1970. The Warsaw ghetto memorial. A man falls on his knees. Silence. Only silent clicks of hundreds of cameras surrounding the quiet silhouette. The man is Willy Brandt, German chancellor. Silently he asks for forgiveness for the other Germany, the better Germany, a German…
Read moreAcross the rhine. It’s been some time since I just took four days off and did nothing special. I flew from Klagenfurt to Düsseldorf on thursday just to see Mia, a friend whom I met in Finland again. Weird, it’s been over 5 months since we last saw, but some things never change. For example…
Read moreStuff. To my surprise and amusement, my neighbour is outside right now washing his car (a brand new BMW Z4) for at least the 3rd time this week. His incredibly patient girlfriend gets the great job of detailing the wheels with a toothbrush. Apart from providing his neighbours with something to talk about, this guy…
Read moreIt’s keeping me awake. Dreams are like stars: you might never fulfill them, but the lighten up your way. I can not change everything this world, but I still feel that on my mission during this life, I can change whatever I WANT to change. So often do we forget that the little things we…
Read moreMiracles. “To treat life as less than a miracle is to give up on it” -Wendell Berry I won’t give up.
Read moreNot dark yet. 188. 188. 188 american soldiers have been killed after the war on Iraq has officially been declared “won” by mr. bush. 188 lives to many. 188 souls used and abused for one man’s war on whatever. when will the united states, the american people and the american administration start to understand that…
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