Art exhibition ... Great sucess! (Jan 13, 2008)
So after many days of planning (and too much money invested) my exhibition is finally over. I'm really tired and ... tomorrow I can go to work, as a reward!

This morning started at around 8. I printed out a few prices lists and drove to the gallery, where my oil paintings (54), photographs (23), sculptures (5) and poems (5) are displayed. I spent 8 hours there yesterday hanging the stuff up. Luckily I had help from a friend of mine.

At eleven the visitors began to arrive ... I had a glass of champagne, which help to steady my nerves. The head of the gallery gave a short speech and then asked me to say a few words. Which I did (in my broken accent). It was nice to see so many friends, family and neighbours there to encourage me. I think there were about 200 people in total. Great, for a small village/town.

I donated two of my paintings. One for my Internet-Cafe Project and one for the gallery/art centre. The first was auctioned off for 70 Euro, which was excellent! The other is hanging out for the next 6 weeks,in full view where people can write on a card, how much they would be willing to pay for the said painting. The painting goes to who has offered the most after the show is finished.

At the end of the day I sold 4 photos 40 x 50cm and 5 oil paintings and about 20 postcards. I didn't take home that much money, having spent much to much, but at least I will appear in the two local newspapers next week, thus promoting my image in this area.

I'm not sure that people know about the amount of time, money and energy which is put into such an exhibition. In the evening I took my family for a nice meal ... which was really great too!
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(3 replies, Latest reply: Jan 13, 2008)

But on a positive note <musicalnote>! (Jan 10, 2008)
I went to see my boss today, no not my wife, my other one at work. I have to discuss my position with her once a year (but we meet together at least once a month, anyhow).

Anyway, she arrived late and we started to talk ... I explained to her that in England, but more so in the US, people get hired and fired if they can actually do the job that they have ... She should know this, as I'm tried to explain this to her over and over and over again.

We've got this new form of pay increase scheme (which is voluntary?) where you (me) have to work out with your superior which goals you have planned for the coming year (half year, actually). So ... each of your goals (up to 5) are given points ... the more points the more money at the end of the year.

Which sounds great, doesn't it? NO! I explained ... I've been doing stuff for the organisation that is not part of my job description, to which she replied: Pech! German for 'bad lucky' or 'that's life'. Okay, she tried to recanter(sp?) but it was too late.

Which could mean, if you have followed anything that I have written, that the next time someone in the organisation asks me to do something "extra" should I say: Pech! I'm quite disheartened but I was expecting something similar.

Any ideas of what I could do?

PS: Her boss, very hierarchical this organisation, asked me 10 minutes before my boss arrived for our meeting, if I could do something for him next week? I'm very tempted to say: Love to ... but PECH!
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(2 replies, Latest reply: Jan 11, 2008)

Where has my English humour gone? (Jan 3, 2008)
Has anyone heard about the War of the World radio play? It was played in the US in the 1950's and while being transmitted people actually believed that the Earth was being invaded my aliens! This caused mass panic around the US at the time!

Well, this evening I was telling my children to stop watching TV when they made me aware of a news story on childrens' German television programme. I watched it only with one eye until the children told me that from next Monday school children had to start school at 7 in the morning. They did a number of interviews, with cuts to ministers (even Mrs Merkel) all very convincing.

I began getting angry ... I've got a problem about getting up and getting my children off to school at 8.

I then left the room and stormed towards my wife and started to explain what I saw ... then my children came along and told me it was not true. Now ... naturally I was pleased to hear this; surprised to see this type of humour on German TV; but disappointed that I was duped.

Have I been in Germany too long?
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(15 replies, Latest reply: Jan 4, 2008)

Everything is white this morning (Dec 22, 2007)
Woke up this morning and all the trees were white with frost ... incredibly beautiful - am I really saying this? A person that just tolerates the long Winter months.
Got my exhibition in 3 weeks and haven't really got anything new to show, apart from the posters which I sent off and received back a few day ago. Because of my flu I haven't the energy to get up and create -- very frustrating.
I might go for a walk later, but a slow one. It is about -5°C here at present. Here in northern Germany the temperature fluctuates so radically, which throws a lot of people out of kilter. One day it is +10°C then the next day it is -10°C. I always wanted to live in Greece over the winter months and have winter in the winter months and spring in the spring months, etc. etc. One day!
Still haven't found a recipe for minced meat for my minced pies! Last night Jamies used a jar ... unfortunately the shops here in Germany don't sell it here!
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(22 replies, Latest reply: Dec 27, 2007)

Waking up to sunlight and birds singing. (Dec 12, 2007)
So ... it was either getting on a Quantus flight to Melbourne and visiting Hermoine in Australia or the cheaper alternative ... getting myself some sort of SAD light, to help alleviate the winter blues!

My Philips Wake Up Light arrived this morning, but didn't have any time to plug it in until now - because of work and also that my daughter is 11 today and she invited 11 of her friends over to a birthday party. Very stressful, but the children were all very well behaved, so it wasn't that hard. Cake, Apple Juice, Biscuits, Jelly, then home-made biscuits, a bonfire in the garden and then to end the day, drumsticks and chips!! I'm knackered.

So, I got this cylindrical plastic lamp thingy. Plugged it in, time, wake up time, light intensity and birds song. So, theoretical, at 5:45 tomorrow morning the light should switch on at level 1 and move towards level 15 in the half an hours wake up phase. After that the sound of birds calling should be heard - cuckoos, I think!!

See what happens ... if one believes the instruction book it should "People who use the wake up light wake up more easily and feel more energetic." See what happens tomorrow!!
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(54 replies, Latest reply: Dec 16, 2007)

St. Nickolaus Day in Germany (Dec 6, 2007)
Been living here in Germany for about 15 years and still I forget the St. Nickolaus Day on the 6th of December. Okay, remembered a few days ago and got something interesting for my wife.

For those, not in the know, this is where the children polish their shoes the night before and put them out somewhere in the house. My children also put out some carrots for Max (the reindeer). They also wrote some excellent messages and pictures for him. (shhh ... keeping them all in four large metal tins for when they are older!!).

They got a little carried away last night with the cleaning of the shoes, they used a little too much water, meaning that most had no shoes to go to school this morning ... still, wearing Wellingtons fits pretty got into rural life, around here!!!

So, St. Nickolaus came last night and brought lots of nice stuff with him ... mandarins, chocolate, and some sort of small toy figures, audio cds and a few books (don't forget I've got 4 children).

I got a mug full of chocolate and some really nice sugary jellies! All fitted nicely in my riding boots!!

Does St. Nickolaus also have a big stick like the German Santa Claus? Isn't St. Nick another name for the devil in some parts of England?

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(10 replies, Latest reply: Dec 7, 2007)

Two photos in the local rag again (Nov 21, 2007)
Not to boast, B U T ... My project was in the local rag again this morning. Half a page ... better publicity I could not buy ... I look okay (being incredibly vain) but I am getting older ... which is a pain in the **m.

Then I got the news this morning that an old codger died a few days ago. He was one of my regulars in the internet café - not particularly friendly, but not unfriendly. I had heard that he had had a bit of a drink problem, but always turned up sober. The last time I saw him he was complaining about not being able to walk properly ... and he told me that he was sure that people thought that he was drunk ... SHAME!

Tomorrow I've got another journalist coming around to interview me again ... still got lots of over-time which I'm trying to get down to 0 by the end of the month.

Won 100 pounds on the Premium Bonds ... but my wife wants a new bed ... there aren't even any notches on the old one ... doesn't matter ... apparently.
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(1 reply, Latest reply: Nov 21, 2007)

And the Press came too ... (Nov 17, 2007)
Well ... the day finally came and, looking back, it went really well. The Open Day was highlighted in the local newspaper yesterday - mentioning my project and my name - so I was almost certain that I would not have to eat all the cake and drink all the coffee by myself.

All in all, there were about 50 visitors, most from the local area which was the point of the whole day. The two local newspapers sent two very nice journalists to take photos and ask lots of interesting questions ... naturally, I had all the answers. I gave them a pre-written text and coffee and cake, to make the job of writing it all up much easier.

My boss also showed up, just at the right time ... full house and the two people from the press there ... just like I had wished for!!
Okay, the weather wasn't that brilliant but still managed to highlight my project with signposts, banners, and the like to entice the people in.

Can't wait for the write up next week! Now ... after having invested all this time, I can take it a bit easier over the next few weeks!
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(14 replies, Latest reply: Nov 18, 2007)

Doesn't time fly when you're having FUN!! (Oct 28, 2007)
Okay, a week has passed and, yes, tomorrow I have to start back at work after 7 days at home. But it isn't all bad ... I've got lots to do - so I've decided to work like hell next week and coast the week after. Sounds Good?

I'm planning an open day in the middle of November where people from the general public can come and see what for a wonderful Internet Café I have brought to life.

So got to get some sort of placard ready and hung up around the area; got to get a web site up and running (half there already); re-decorate the room where the computer are situated; invited the Mayor and the Press; get my team ready for the big occasion (pet talk, motivation, etc.); buy and serve coffee and cake; probably lots of other things, but I'll do the rest tomorrow - still got about 14 hours off!!

I also need two new computers, which I'm hoping to get from a local bank, but they are very tight when you want something from them ... this can be very annoying.

And the sun is shining in northern Germany ... yippee!!
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(5 replies, Latest reply: Oct 29, 2007)

Can't get back into this work thing! (Sep 10, 2007)
About 3 weeks ago I went back to England for my sister's wedding. Had a great time, but can't really get back into this work thing again. It's not that I have nothing to do, but there is no power there anymore. Even the ideas have all dried up.

Any ideas?
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(1 reply, Latest reply: Sep 10, 2007)



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