A Beg your Pardon!

The President sometimes does the same that Pontius Pilate once did. He pardons a convict, following the lines of the Roman governor in Judea, known from the Bible, who condemned Jesus Christ and at the same time pardoned a robber.

The British Baking Show and The Austrian Memories

Watching The British Baking Show on Netflix brings back so many memories of cakes, pies, and Torten my Grandma used to make. Turns out they actually have names, and it’s not just the pear-thing-with the-funny-shape I remember eating as a child. Pastries from the UK, Belgium, Poland and the rest of the world -even Austria where I happen to be from- are introduced in the baking competition, and I am having a good time watching it.

Schwarzenegger and I

When people ask me, “Where are you from?” their reaction to my answer is always the same. “Aaaaaaaaaahhh,” and then they list the names of famous people from Austria. 90% of the time it’s, Hitler and Schwarzenegger.

Some Have It, Some Don’t!

Quincy Adams

It’s not easy to congratulate the winner, no matter if it’s a sports event or an election. Presumably that you gave your best best, it stings a bit. Dreams and hopes crumbled, we find ourselves questioning if we have done everything right.

About Democracy and Lizards

It comes from a very ancient democracy, you see…”
“You mean, it comes from a world of lizards?”
“No,” said Ford, who by this time was a little more rational and coherent than he had been, having finally had the coffee forced down him, “nothing so simple. Nothing anything like so straightforward. On its world, the people are people. The leaders are lizards. The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people.”
“Odd,” said Arthur, “I thought you said it was a democracy.”

What country you asked?

Voices shouting, protesting, demanding to stop the count, fearing it might not go their way. What country you asked?

Please, don’t! It’s too embarrassing to admit. It does sound a bit like South America, or perhaps Eastern Europe in the 80’s, when most of them were still dancing to the music of Russia.

Trump is a Genius

I never thought I would write that, but i bow with awe. Brilliant move. The President of the United Stated did not lie -as we all expected- but instead just downplayed the Covid-19 situation to keep us calm. How considerate of him. Very well played Mr. President!

Democracy! Coming or Going?

1989 I sat in the lobby of a hotel in Frankfurt/Germany and watched the fall of the Berlin Wall on TV, surrounded by co-workers and clients. The beginning of a new era. We were optimistic and full of joy. At the time is seemed that the influence of the U.S. and western European countries was expanding, and nothing could stop it.

Walk With The Wind

By John Lewis

While my time here has now come to an end, I want you to know that in the last days and hours of my life you inspired me. You filled me with hope about the next chapter of the great American story when you used your power to make a difference in our society. Millions of people motivated simply by human compassion laid down the burdens of division. Around the country and the world you set aside race, class, age, language and nationality to demand respect for human dignity.

Fix the Future -The Past already Happened

Let’s go back 45 years and let’s travel to Bavaria, in the South of Germany -again. A girl in her robe, wearing Austrian knitted houseshoes, is on her way to the auditorium. In one hand a blanket, in the other a plastic cup full of gummy bears, she joins all the other girls and the nuns who watch over them when school is over and during the nights. The little girl sits down full of anticipation. During the day the room was used for music classes and the drama club. On special events, the parents and family sat in the audience and watched the children sing and perform.