Between preparations for weddings, attempts at researching for the thesis, and spending time with my personal V.I.P.s, there isn't a lot of blogging time.
We spent a spectacular weekend up in the mountains at my uncle Fritz's place a couple of weeks back, but all designated photographers have to far been unable to download and distribute the pictures. There's still hope that I will be able to post a few breathtaking photos from our hike and the evenings of Schnaps-drinking, card-playing, dancing and accordeon-playing in Fritz's living room very soon.
For now I leave you with a spectacular gift idea for people who just don't want to believe that life is beautiful.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Interreligious dialogue
Last week, the US Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy, Karen Hughes, stopped by in Vienna on her tour through Europe (which, by the way, consisted of three days in Prague and two in Vienna). The purpose of her visit was to promote interreligious dialogue in Europe in the name of the American government.
Hmmm. I know.
Anyway, the editor-in-chief of the Catholic youth magazine I write movie reviews for called me up to ask me whether I wanted to represent the Christian side in an interreligious youth panel discussion held at a mosque in Vienna. Free (kosher) lunch, a chat with Karen Hughes, and national TV - how could I say no?
Narcissism aside, what I was really interested in was the interreligious discussion side of things, and how an such an event when organized, amongst others, by the American Embassy would turn out.
To relieve the suspense, I was a bit disappointed. Sure, there were highlights.
Michael, the Jewish panelist, had never been to a mosque before. In his religion, it is forbidden to enter churches or temples of other religions. He was genuinely touched by the hospitality of the Imam and the Muslim community.
I, for my part, think it might have been the first time ever that Jesus Christ was discussed in a mosque, at least in Vienna, and I enjoyed meeting youth leaders of other faiths.
Thirdly, the fact that a mosque opened its doors to a discussion like this was a sign of readiness for dialogue that people need to see.
However, the whole thing boiled down to the general assertion that there weren't, in fact, many significant differences between the three Abrahamitic religions, and that the ones that existed didn't really matter. I respectfully but firmly disagree. If we are going to leave aside the obvious differences between the religions, what are we left with to discuss?
I am all for connecting on a personal level, becoming more familiar with other faiths, and understanding in a deep and real way the motivations and philosophies behind other forms of worshipping and serving God - because, lets face it, suspicion and hatred feed on ignorance and fear.
But there are things I love about my faith that are central to it, and that other faiths do not share. I am not willing to pretend that these things do not matter, because they are at the very heart of my religion, and - maybe more importantly - an essential part of its beauty and truth. I am sure that Muslims and Jews feel the same, and it would be sad if they didn't, because their faith would mean little to them.
Unfortunately, between speeches on interfaith dialogue and accolades for U/S Hughes, there wasn't much space to talk about this. However, thanks to a comment from the audience (my mother, to be exact), I was able to squeeze in a quote that I think sums it up very well. It is a section from an article by Rabbi Jacob Neusner. He wrote a book called "A Rabbi Talks with Jesus", where he imagines that he listens to Christ's Sermon on the Mount and then enters into an intense dialogue with him, trying to understand his teaching from the perspective of a devout Jew. At the end of the book, he decides that he cannot follow Jesus, and must remain faithful to his religion - but not before he has earnestly tried to understand what Christ said. Here's the quote:
"Both Jews and Christians should find in "A Rabbi Talks with Jesus" the reason to affirm, because each party will locate there the very points on which the difference between Judaism and Christianity rests.What makes me so certain of that outcome? Because I believe, when each side understands in the same way the issues that divide the two, and both with solid reason affirm their respective truths, then all may love and worship God in peace - knowing that it really is the one and the same God whom together they serve - in difference."
(Read the full article. More interesting reading material on the subject: Sandro Magister's take on things and chapter five of Pope Benedict's latest book Jesus of Nazareth)
For those of you who speak German, here's a little video of the event.
And, as always, I am very much interested in your thoughts.
Hmmm. I know.
Anyway, the editor-in-chief of the Catholic youth magazine I write movie reviews for called me up to ask me whether I wanted to represent the Christian side in an interreligious youth panel discussion held at a mosque in Vienna. Free (kosher) lunch, a chat with Karen Hughes, and national TV - how could I say no?
Narcissism aside, what I was really interested in was the interreligious discussion side of things, and how an such an event when organized, amongst others, by the American Embassy would turn out.
To relieve the suspense, I was a bit disappointed. Sure, there were highlights.
Michael, the Jewish panelist, had never been to a mosque before. In his religion, it is forbidden to enter churches or temples of other religions. He was genuinely touched by the hospitality of the Imam and the Muslim community.
I, for my part, think it might have been the first time ever that Jesus Christ was discussed in a mosque, at least in Vienna, and I enjoyed meeting youth leaders of other faiths.
Thirdly, the fact that a mosque opened its doors to a discussion like this was a sign of readiness for dialogue that people need to see.
However, the whole thing boiled down to the general assertion that there weren't, in fact, many significant differences between the three Abrahamitic religions, and that the ones that existed didn't really matter. I respectfully but firmly disagree. If we are going to leave aside the obvious differences between the religions, what are we left with to discuss?
I am all for connecting on a personal level, becoming more familiar with other faiths, and understanding in a deep and real way the motivations and philosophies behind other forms of worshipping and serving God - because, lets face it, suspicion and hatred feed on ignorance and fear.
But there are things I love about my faith that are central to it, and that other faiths do not share. I am not willing to pretend that these things do not matter, because they are at the very heart of my religion, and - maybe more importantly - an essential part of its beauty and truth. I am sure that Muslims and Jews feel the same, and it would be sad if they didn't, because their faith would mean little to them.
Unfortunately, between speeches on interfaith dialogue and accolades for U/S Hughes, there wasn't much space to talk about this. However, thanks to a comment from the audience (my mother, to be exact), I was able to squeeze in a quote that I think sums it up very well. It is a section from an article by Rabbi Jacob Neusner. He wrote a book called "A Rabbi Talks with Jesus", where he imagines that he listens to Christ's Sermon on the Mount and then enters into an intense dialogue with him, trying to understand his teaching from the perspective of a devout Jew. At the end of the book, he decides that he cannot follow Jesus, and must remain faithful to his religion - but not before he has earnestly tried to understand what Christ said. Here's the quote:
"Both Jews and Christians should find in "A Rabbi Talks with Jesus" the reason to affirm, because each party will locate there the very points on which the difference between Judaism and Christianity rests.What makes me so certain of that outcome? Because I believe, when each side understands in the same way the issues that divide the two, and both with solid reason affirm their respective truths, then all may love and worship God in peace - knowing that it really is the one and the same God whom together they serve - in difference."
(Read the full article. More interesting reading material on the subject: Sandro Magister's take on things and chapter five of Pope Benedict's latest book Jesus of Nazareth)
For those of you who speak German, here's a little video of the event.
And, as always, I am very much interested in your thoughts.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Music
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossile to be silent.-- Victor Hugo
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Entertainers or egomaniacs?
This blog has turned into a quite boring series of rarely entertaining personal updates. I've been thinking: What is the reason for writing a personal blog? Why should one expect one's personal life to be interesting to others? And, lastly - how healthy is it to put one's own, relatively unimportant life at the center of a globally accessible website?
I think it was Mother Teresa who once suggested trying to go for a day without talking about oneself. To me, that seems nearly impossible! Also, I am not sure it is necessary. Still, the line between writing for the entertainment of others and falling into the trap of narcissism is thin.
I started this blog for various reasons - as a creative outlet, a space to play with a language that is not my own, an opportunity to express thoughts and describe incidents worth sharing, and a way to keep my internationally dispersed friends and family updated.
It works, but sometimes a weeklong lack of inspiration or material, combined with the desire to keep readers interested, results in a bunch of entries that are not really worth anyone's time.
So there.
Still, there's news.
The Skypad, version 2.0. It's not quite a clone of its original in NYC, maybe more like a second cousin. However, we are surrounded by luxury - a rooftop deck, views on church steeples and green hills, an open, airy living space, nice little rooms and even gems like wireless internet and an alarm system. Aglai and I have been living here for a week, and we really enjoy it! I also love having mom and Anna over for sunbathing and banana bread, and inviting Matthäus for a quick study break and lunch. Here's the photo tour.
Civil wedding. That "yes" doesn't really count yet, but Nono and Dominic said it anyway at the registry office yesterday morning, and now they are officially Mr. and Mrs. Pott. Scary, but great! Can't wait to see them walking down the aisle (or waiting at the other end, respectively) on July 7th - it's my first gig as maid of honor, and I do think I might have to fight off a few tears.
C'est tout. Any thoughs on the blog issue? Fellow bloggers? Lurkers? Random passers-by? Feel free to gush.
I think it was Mother Teresa who once suggested trying to go for a day without talking about oneself. To me, that seems nearly impossible! Also, I am not sure it is necessary. Still, the line between writing for the entertainment of others and falling into the trap of narcissism is thin.
I started this blog for various reasons - as a creative outlet, a space to play with a language that is not my own, an opportunity to express thoughts and describe incidents worth sharing, and a way to keep my internationally dispersed friends and family updated.
It works, but sometimes a weeklong lack of inspiration or material, combined with the desire to keep readers interested, results in a bunch of entries that are not really worth anyone's time.
So there.
Still, there's news.
The Skypad, version 2.0. It's not quite a clone of its original in NYC, maybe more like a second cousin. However, we are surrounded by luxury - a rooftop deck, views on church steeples and green hills, an open, airy living space, nice little rooms and even gems like wireless internet and an alarm system. Aglai and I have been living here for a week, and we really enjoy it! I also love having mom and Anna over for sunbathing and banana bread, and inviting Matthäus for a quick study break and lunch. Here's the photo tour.
Civil wedding. That "yes" doesn't really count yet, but Nono and Dominic said it anyway at the registry office yesterday morning, and now they are officially Mr. and Mrs. Pott. Scary, but great! Can't wait to see them walking down the aisle (or waiting at the other end, respectively) on July 7th - it's my first gig as maid of honor, and I do think I might have to fight off a few tears.
C'est tout. Any thoughs on the blog issue? Fellow bloggers? Lurkers? Random passers-by? Feel free to gush.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Finale
Pentecost weekend was spent enjoying a good read, the sun, long conversations in the hammock, fierce badminton matches, a BBQ, long walks, driving lessons, strange movies, the company of Marie, Jan, Bridge and Paula and also the family, which was complete for the first time since late August last year.
If everything goes smoothly and the weather holds up, the movers (yes, I caved) are coming tomorrow, and I should be sleeping in my new room for the first time tomorrow night.
If everything goes smoothly and the weather holds up, the movers (yes, I caved) are coming tomorrow, and I should be sleeping in my new room for the first time tomorrow night.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Arabian nights
Picture a harem chamber somewhere in the depths of an Arabian city. The rhythm of pipes and drums, the swinging of coin belt-adorned hips, hands painted with henna, dimmed lights and the smell of shisha smoke, perfume and camel dung.
This was the setting of Nono's bachelorette party, which went down in our living-room-turned-serail yesterday. There were mountains of food, harem pants, beaded slippers, bare bellies, and a lot of shimmying and hip-shaking. Two harem teams were fighting for camels, which they needed to collect in order to earn the right to get married to Sheikh Dominic (Nono's fiance). The battle was fierce, and there was some haggling in the background, but they fought well and "Harem Aruus Al Nono" won the prize for the bride-to-be. We even had a eunuch to serve us drinks and work the video camera, but his identity will be kept a secret for the sake of his male reputation. All I can say is, he stood his ground like the real man that he is (and he is, don't you worry). [Pictures and videos are still being edited, but expect some fun shots in the near future.]
In other news:
This was the setting of Nono's bachelorette party, which went down in our living-room-turned-serail yesterday. There were mountains of food, harem pants, beaded slippers, bare bellies, and a lot of shimmying and hip-shaking. Two harem teams were fighting for camels, which they needed to collect in order to earn the right to get married to Sheikh Dominic (Nono's fiance). The battle was fierce, and there was some haggling in the background, but they fought well and "Harem Aruus Al Nono" won the prize for the bride-to-be. We even had a eunuch to serve us drinks and work the video camera, but his identity will be kept a secret for the sake of his male reputation. All I can say is, he stood his ground like the real man that he is (and he is, don't you worry). [Pictures and videos are still being edited, but expect some fun shots in the near future.]
In other news:
- The move still isn't finished, mainly because my bed, wardrobe and desk don't fit into my car. However, chances are that I will be a citizen of Skypad II within the next week.
- Anna has returned from India, loaded with bangles, beaded slippers and beautiful fabrics of all sizes and colors. I am realizing that after nine months, it is good to have my sister around again. The stories will take a while to tell, but I am looking forward.
- Pentecost weekend will be spent at the Mill with the family, a guest from Portugal and Bridge, a friend from the States who is in Vienna for two months. The weather is great and I can't wait to get away from the humidity and the construction noise.
- I PASSED MY LAST EXAM! Just barely made it, but it's over, and now there is only the thesis left to write. Oh, it feels good.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Define "slim"
Remember I was planning on a slim move? Well, it turns out I am having trouble defining that word. So far the box count is up to four, and only half the room is empty - not counting in two huge Ikea bags of clothes and a pile of shoes. You would think that the eternal jeans-and-t-shirt girl is not part of the shoe collectors' guild. Well, dear friends, think again.
However, in between all that dust and cardboard, moving does provide for a few sentimental journeys: Old journals, photos, post cards, and even a love letter or two.
Wish me luck. Having to hire a moving service equals personal (oh, and financial) defeat.
However, in between all that dust and cardboard, moving does provide for a few sentimental journeys: Old journals, photos, post cards, and even a love letter or two.
Wish me luck. Having to hire a moving service equals personal (oh, and financial) defeat.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Changes
I was planning a big "Hooray, I am done with exams forever" type of post, but alas, it seems that last exam is quite a chunk of work and just doesn't want to be passed. Results are out on the 22nd, lets see what the future holds.
Apart from that, I am starting to prepare for the big move to my very own Skypad in two weeks, which means getting rid of piles of junk that I have been hoarding in my closet and desk for the past seven years. This will be a slim move, and only the necessary things will be taken along. I will probably laugh at the amount of stuff I deem necessary once it comes to carrying boxes up to the fourth floor... Oh well.
Summer is here, and I enjoyed my city once again as I was having lunch in beautiful Volksgarten yesterday with my father and then spent the afternoon lazily walking around downtown with Isabel. Sharifin couldn't believe that a day of laziness made me tired, so we wrapped up the day with a drink or two and cozy deck-chair conversation on the banks of the Danube canal at Strandbar Herrmann. This place reminds me of a few international friends that I spent my evenings with in this same place last year. Now they are gone to faraway places like DC, Sydney and Madrid.
Life changes, all the time.
Apart from that, I am starting to prepare for the big move to my very own Skypad in two weeks, which means getting rid of piles of junk that I have been hoarding in my closet and desk for the past seven years. This will be a slim move, and only the necessary things will be taken along. I will probably laugh at the amount of stuff I deem necessary once it comes to carrying boxes up to the fourth floor... Oh well.
Summer is here, and I enjoyed my city once again as I was having lunch in beautiful Volksgarten yesterday with my father and then spent the afternoon lazily walking around downtown with Isabel. Sharifin couldn't believe that a day of laziness made me tired, so we wrapped up the day with a drink or two and cozy deck-chair conversation on the banks of the Danube canal at Strandbar Herrmann. This place reminds me of a few international friends that I spent my evenings with in this same place last year. Now they are gone to faraway places like DC, Sydney and Madrid.
Life changes, all the time.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
What counts
My sister returns from India in three weeks, and recently spent a week in Calcutta with the Missionaries of Charity (aka sisters of Mother Teresa). We didn't know whether to laugh or cry when we read her stories, given that the one thing she absolutely despises are worms, and some of her activities included picking them out of searing wounds... I will spare you further descriptions.
Here is a quote from her report:
"The atmosphere at work is hard to describe. Every day it happened that one of the patients I was feeding simply gave me a hug afterwards. Or that another patient didn't want anything else but to have me sit down next to her for a while and hold her hand. Or that someone suddenly put her hands on my head, mumbled a toothless "God blesssss you" and heartily kissed my hand.
You recieve so much from these people, who have nothing to give but their love and gratitude. It's true what Mother Teresa said: We have not come to the poorest of the poor to give, but to recieve. We need them more than they need us. That hits the nail on the head."
Here is a quote from her report:
"The atmosphere at work is hard to describe. Every day it happened that one of the patients I was feeding simply gave me a hug afterwards. Or that another patient didn't want anything else but to have me sit down next to her for a while and hold her hand. Or that someone suddenly put her hands on my head, mumbled a toothless "God blesssss you" and heartily kissed my hand.
You recieve so much from these people, who have nothing to give but their love and gratitude. It's true what Mother Teresa said: We have not come to the poorest of the poor to give, but to recieve. We need them more than they need us. That hits the nail on the head."
Monday, April 23, 2007
Monks who play punk
I've written about them already, but now they're getting big publicity: Check out this article on the front page of today's New York Times City section.
I went to the Catholic Underground a few times and was amazed every time at how deep these monks are, while managing to send crowds of 500+ teenagers into fits of laughter. It is not surprising that dozens of men want to join that order each year - they are serious about what they believe in, they live it, and they are so fulfilled by it that it shines through in their eyes and in every word they say.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
Catching up
I've been a real slacker on the blog - but somehow sometimes real life is full enough and does not need constant documentation on the web. Just some quick highlights of the past weeks:
Medjugorje. A little village in Bosnia where the virgin Mary is said to appear. Believe it or don't, but all I know is that this place gives you peace, the type of peace that reaches far deeper than regular relaxation does. I went there with a lot of questions, and came back with only little tiny fragments of the answers I expected, but a general consciousness that I needn't worry.
Easter. Anna, the eternal Easter egg duel champion and passionate chocolate bunny hunter, was sorely missed, and her absence gave the whole thing a bit of a grown-up flavor. She, in the meanwhile, was exploring the jungles of Tamil Nadu with her boyfriend Flo. Nevertheless, we had fun dying eggs with a few cousins, and enjoyed the family, the food and the brilliant weather at the Mill.
New place. In May, I will be moving out of the sibling apartment into a bit of a Skypad of my own. I'll be sharing an amazing little duplex on the roof with Aglai - complete with a balcony to sunbathe (oh yeah) and have breakfasts on lazy Saturday mornings. It still needs some work, but Aglai the styler will surely do a brilliant job.
Life in Vienna is good. New York has its irresistible charms, but there is something about the slow-paced charm of this city that gets me every time. Dodging horse-drawn carriages in the streets, people sitting around lazily in coffee houses, and a view of a beautiful gothic church from the window of the century-old university library... add in real summer weather in April, and try to beat that.
Medjugorje. A little village in Bosnia where the virgin Mary is said to appear. Believe it or don't, but all I know is that this place gives you peace, the type of peace that reaches far deeper than regular relaxation does. I went there with a lot of questions, and came back with only little tiny fragments of the answers I expected, but a general consciousness that I needn't worry.
Easter. Anna, the eternal Easter egg duel champion and passionate chocolate bunny hunter, was sorely missed, and her absence gave the whole thing a bit of a grown-up flavor. She, in the meanwhile, was exploring the jungles of Tamil Nadu with her boyfriend Flo. Nevertheless, we had fun dying eggs with a few cousins, and enjoyed the family, the food and the brilliant weather at the Mill.
New place. In May, I will be moving out of the sibling apartment into a bit of a Skypad of my own. I'll be sharing an amazing little duplex on the roof with Aglai - complete with a balcony to sunbathe (oh yeah) and have breakfasts on lazy Saturday mornings. It still needs some work, but Aglai the styler will surely do a brilliant job.
Life in Vienna is good. New York has its irresistible charms, but there is something about the slow-paced charm of this city that gets me every time. Dodging horse-drawn carriages in the streets, people sitting around lazily in coffee houses, and a view of a beautiful gothic church from the window of the century-old university library... add in real summer weather in April, and try to beat that.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Resurrection
AS kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell’s
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves—goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying What I do is me: for that I came.
I say more: the just man justices;
Keeps grace: that keeps all his goings graces;
Acts in God’s eye what in God’s eye he is—
Christ—for Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men’s faces.
- Gerard Manley Hopkins
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Settling in, and out again
I'm settling in, slowly but surely. Kicked off my thesis project and took my last course ever. Caught up with most of my friends - including Aglae with a big belly (son due in June) and Isabel, the brand new fiancée (wedding in September). Spent the weekend shovelling gravel at the Mill and enjoyed the company of my family, minus Anna who is still working as a nurse in a hospital in Jalandhar, India.
Back to the busy life.
However, Easter is around the corner, and I'll be hopping on a bus to Medjugorje on Friday to spend a long weekend in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but shrubs, hills, silence and prayer. Given that about 40 of us are going, there will surely be time for fun as well, but I am really looking forward to some peace and quiet, and some quality time with the Man Upstairs.
Back to the busy life.
However, Easter is around the corner, and I'll be hopping on a bus to Medjugorje on Friday to spend a long weekend in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but shrubs, hills, silence and prayer. Given that about 40 of us are going, there will surely be time for fun as well, but I am really looking forward to some peace and quiet, and some quality time with the Man Upstairs.
Friday, March 23, 2007
I'm home
Back to the city of Käsekrainer, coffee houses, horse carriages, church bells, bakeries, grumpy waiters, and slow pace. The place where walking for five minutes actually gets you someplace. Where your cup of coffee comes with a complimentary glass of water and a silver spoon. Where you can live on thirty euros for almost a week. And where no one wears sweats.
Yet, I am missing things.
The buzz. Skyscrapers. Sushi. Food deliveries. Warm, fuzzy towels fresh from the dryer. Central Park. Diversity. Lights and colors. Ziploc bags. Paying by credit card. Grand Central Station. Dog walkers. Smiles. The sea. Yellow cabs. Conversations with strangers. Free refills. Fireplaces. Friends.
What I don't miss:
Coffee in paper cups. Having your check slammed down the second you swallow your last bite. Overcrowded subways. Trash. Paying for received calls. Dodging deadly umbrellas on crowded sidewalks when it rains. Smoke detectors. Doors that lock "the wrong way". The things they call bread. Taxes. Skim milk.
Funny how it takes a while until home feels like home.
Yet, I am missing things.
The buzz. Skyscrapers. Sushi. Food deliveries. Warm, fuzzy towels fresh from the dryer. Central Park. Diversity. Lights and colors. Ziploc bags. Paying by credit card. Grand Central Station. Dog walkers. Smiles. The sea. Yellow cabs. Conversations with strangers. Free refills. Fireplaces. Friends.
What I don't miss:
Coffee in paper cups. Having your check slammed down the second you swallow your last bite. Overcrowded subways. Trash. Paying for received calls. Dodging deadly umbrellas on crowded sidewalks when it rains. Smoke detectors. Doors that lock "the wrong way". The things they call bread. Taxes. Skim milk.
Funny how it takes a while until home feels like home.
Monday, March 19, 2007
See you, New York
A fun brunch with 20 friends
St. Paddy's Day parade watching
Conversations by the fireplace
A long walk in the park
Some pub-hopping and Guiness-drinking
Breakfast and brunch, consecutively
Two churches
Coffee at Penelope's
Wiener Schnitzel
Emma
Hugs
And a few tears.
I'm going home, but I'll be back.
St. Paddy's Day parade watching
Conversations by the fireplace
A long walk in the park
Some pub-hopping and Guiness-drinking
Breakfast and brunch, consecutively
Two churches
Coffee at Penelope's
Wiener Schnitzel
Emma
Hugs
And a few tears.
I'm going home, but I'll be back.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Quirks
New Yorkers are a breed of their own. If you pay a few bucks extra, you can get anything you want here - and directly to your doorstep, too: the paper, food, drinks, groceries, videos, you name it. In fact, I recently saw a sign in a shop window: "I want it all, and I want it delivered."
It gets better, though.
Try nine-year olds at beauty salons, getting their nails done.
Or rain coats, "party collars" and faux fur (!) designer coats for dogs.
But think what you may, citizens of the Big Apple do have a sense of humor, paired with real dedication to the cause. Here are a few examples I stumbled upon myself in the past weeks.
The Naked Cowboy, who stands on Times Square, rain or shine, in white speedos, boots and a Stetson, playing his guitar and posing for tourists.
A young guy I recently spotted on the subway one early Saturday morning, carrying a long black bag on his back. When asked what he was carrying, he pulled out a giant, "custom-made" light saber and demonstrated a few moves he had learned in his light saber fighting club.
Missed that photo op, unfortunately.
A loving fiancee who dedicated a bench in Central Park to her future husband:
And, lastly, a scribbled response to a graffiti statement:
Gotta love it.
On a different note, between trips to Yale, DC and last minute errands, time is flying by. The next blog (including pictures from the past weeks) might already be written from my room in Vienna - hard to believe!
It gets better, though.
Try nine-year olds at beauty salons, getting their nails done.
Or rain coats, "party collars" and faux fur (!) designer coats for dogs.
But think what you may, citizens of the Big Apple do have a sense of humor, paired with real dedication to the cause. Here are a few examples I stumbled upon myself in the past weeks.The Naked Cowboy, who stands on Times Square, rain or shine, in white speedos, boots and a Stetson, playing his guitar and posing for tourists.
A young guy I recently spotted on the subway one early Saturday morning, carrying a long black bag on his back. When asked what he was carrying, he pulled out a giant, "custom-made" light saber and demonstrated a few moves he had learned in his light saber fighting club.Missed that photo op, unfortunately.
A loving fiancee who dedicated a bench in Central Park to her future husband:
And, lastly, a scribbled response to a graffiti statement:
Gotta love it.
On a different note, between trips to Yale, DC and last minute errands, time is flying by. The next blog (including pictures from the past weeks) might already be written from my room in Vienna - hard to believe!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
In short
It's been a while, and a lot has been going on. Just a few snapshots:
Work. I wrapped it up last Wednesday, and it has been a good experience. Met amazing people, made valuable contacts, learned a bit more, and had many opportunities to observe how nonprofits are managed around here, which in many ways seems fundamentally different from the way it is done back home. I've streamlined my questions for my thesis a little, and I am ready to go when I get home. I was spoiled rotten with a tasty Japanese farewell lunch and a Starbucks mug with the NY skyline on it, courtesy of David, the cool program director.
Meetings. One of the great results of my time at Babson and the internship is the fact that I kept meeting people who were interested in performance measurement in nonprofits (my thesis topic) and were willing to share what they know. This morning, I had the chance to meet with Michael Caslin, who teaches a course on Social Entrepreneurship at Babson this semester and works for NFTE, an amazing organization committed to teaching entrepreneurship to disadvantaged youth. I had 20 minutes to get as much as possible out of him, which was tricky, but worth it. I have a few more interesting meetings coming up before I leave the Big Apple on the 19th.
Pia. Her visit significantly raised my museum, opera and concert quota, and I think I have become a bit of a culture buff under her supervision. However, it was the fact that we could meet for coffee or lunch any time we wanted and have quality conversations that was the real treat. After having had an ocean between us for two years, it felt really good to have her around for five weeks. Her, Colin, Bill and I made a fabulous team and had a ton of fun together - these times will be missed! We said goodbye with a suitably Bavarian Weisswurst brunch at Zum Schneider.
Classy. On a whim, Colin and I joined Bill for the Frick Ball last Thursday. The museum was festively decorated, we were served shrimps and champaign by the water fountain and wandered around among the Rembrandts, Bellinis and Holbeins in our tuxedos and evening robes. My H&M and Cairo bazaar combo was not nearly as classy as the designer robes of the other female guests, but it's the attitude that counts, isn't it? Here's the official account - don't take it too seriously.
Now I have a little less than two weeks left to wander around, read, think, see people and wrap up the six months in the land of hot dogs and oversized milk cartons.
They will be well spent.
Work. I wrapped it up last Wednesday, and it has been a good experience. Met amazing people, made valuable contacts, learned a bit more, and had many opportunities to observe how nonprofits are managed around here, which in many ways seems fundamentally different from the way it is done back home. I've streamlined my questions for my thesis a little, and I am ready to go when I get home. I was spoiled rotten with a tasty Japanese farewell lunch and a Starbucks mug with the NY skyline on it, courtesy of David, the cool program director.
Meetings. One of the great results of my time at Babson and the internship is the fact that I kept meeting people who were interested in performance measurement in nonprofits (my thesis topic) and were willing to share what they know. This morning, I had the chance to meet with Michael Caslin, who teaches a course on Social Entrepreneurship at Babson this semester and works for NFTE, an amazing organization committed to teaching entrepreneurship to disadvantaged youth. I had 20 minutes to get as much as possible out of him, which was tricky, but worth it. I have a few more interesting meetings coming up before I leave the Big Apple on the 19th.
Pia. Her visit significantly raised my museum, opera and concert quota, and I think I have become a bit of a culture buff under her supervision. However, it was the fact that we could meet for coffee or lunch any time we wanted and have quality conversations that was the real treat. After having had an ocean between us for two years, it felt really good to have her around for five weeks. Her, Colin, Bill and I made a fabulous team and had a ton of fun together - these times will be missed! We said goodbye with a suitably Bavarian Weisswurst brunch at Zum Schneider.
Classy. On a whim, Colin and I joined Bill for the Frick Ball last Thursday. The museum was festively decorated, we were served shrimps and champaign by the water fountain and wandered around among the Rembrandts, Bellinis and Holbeins in our tuxedos and evening robes. My H&M and Cairo bazaar combo was not nearly as classy as the designer robes of the other female guests, but it's the attitude that counts, isn't it? Here's the official account - don't take it too seriously.
Now I have a little less than two weeks left to wander around, read, think, see people and wrap up the six months in the land of hot dogs and oversized milk cartons.
They will be well spent.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Fooled me
People can say what they want, but spring is NOT here. Saturday was nice and sunny, but the wind was freezing and as I walked home yesterday the ground was again covered in snow. It isn't as romantic as it sounds in this city, where snow turns to slush in a matter of minutes and speeding cabs spray you with dirty water.
The weekend was an unusually cultured one, for my standards. On Friday I met Pia at the Guggenheim right after work to get tickets for the "El Greco to Picasso" exhibition on Pay What You Wish Friday. The queue went halfway around the block despite the icy winds, but those who braved it were rewarded with a really good collection of Spanish art from the 15th to the 20th century. We then rested our feet in front of the fireplace at the Skypad, where Colin and Bill were waiting with a great movie and a TV dinner.
Saturday morning Colin and I had brunch with Stew, who put me up on my first night in Boston six months ago. He was visiting for the weekend, and we showed him some Viennese breakfast quality at Sabarsky.
In the evening things became even more Viennese when Pia, the boys and I met for dinner and the Magic Flute at the Met. In my more cultured years, when I was eight or nine years old, I remember lying on my stomach in front of my parents' stereo listening to that opera. The art director, Tony-winner Julie Taymor who also did the set design for Lion King, really managed to turn that old story into a magical fairy tale with her dancing puppets. After three solid hours of Mozart we turned to some live jazz and had a drink at the Carlyle. We brought the age average down by about 50% in that place, but loved it nevertheless.
On Sunday morning we dragged our sleep-deprived bodies out of bed for oatmeal and Eggs Benedict at Balthazar, followed by Mass and an exhibition of a Mexican schizophrenic painter, Martin Ramirez, at the American Folk Art museum. I had never heard about or seen outsider art before, and was pretty impressed by the talent of a poor Mexican immigrant who was locked away in a mental ward most of his life and refused to communicate in any way except through his artwork.
Finally, we put some "pop" into our cultural mix and watched the Oscars with Thierry, who is a film producer and also happens to be a friend of Florian Henckel-Donnersmark, who took home the little golden guy for this year's Best Foreign Film.
There was a lot of cheering and toasting.
The weekend was an unusually cultured one, for my standards. On Friday I met Pia at the Guggenheim right after work to get tickets for the "El Greco to Picasso" exhibition on Pay What You Wish Friday. The queue went halfway around the block despite the icy winds, but those who braved it were rewarded with a really good collection of Spanish art from the 15th to the 20th century. We then rested our feet in front of the fireplace at the Skypad, where Colin and Bill were waiting with a great movie and a TV dinner.
Saturday morning Colin and I had brunch with Stew, who put me up on my first night in Boston six months ago. He was visiting for the weekend, and we showed him some Viennese breakfast quality at Sabarsky.
In the evening things became even more Viennese when Pia, the boys and I met for dinner and the Magic Flute at the Met. In my more cultured years, when I was eight or nine years old, I remember lying on my stomach in front of my parents' stereo listening to that opera. The art director, Tony-winner Julie Taymor who also did the set design for Lion King, really managed to turn that old story into a magical fairy tale with her dancing puppets. After three solid hours of Mozart we turned to some live jazz and had a drink at the Carlyle. We brought the age average down by about 50% in that place, but loved it nevertheless.
On Sunday morning we dragged our sleep-deprived bodies out of bed for oatmeal and Eggs Benedict at Balthazar, followed by Mass and an exhibition of a Mexican schizophrenic painter, Martin Ramirez, at the American Folk Art museum. I had never heard about or seen outsider art before, and was pretty impressed by the talent of a poor Mexican immigrant who was locked away in a mental ward most of his life and refused to communicate in any way except through his artwork.
Finally, we put some "pop" into our cultural mix and watched the Oscars with Thierry, who is a film producer and also happens to be a friend of Florian Henckel-Donnersmark, who took home the little golden guy for this year's Best Foreign Film.
There was a lot of cheering and toasting.
Friday, February 23, 2007
It smells like spring
Colin promised that I wouldn't leave New York without catching a glimpse of spring. It seems like this might be true. The sky is clear, temperatures are rising and I heard birds chirping for the first time as I walked over to the Amish market to pick up some lunch yesterday.
Pia is leaving new York next Sunday, so we need to start some serious planning if we want to cram everything we've wanted to do into these last seven days. And although it's Lent, there's no shortage of things to do: Last night Geoff invited us to his one-room apartment for some real Italian dinner. The official reason was to say goodbye to Jeff, who we then discovered will be returning to New York in three weeks - hopefully in time to send me off with a proper St. Paddy's Day celebration. The good food and company was spiced up by Geoff's musical talent - who needs a stereo when you can have it all live, and of the highest quality! We did some singing, too, which felt good after a long musical hiatus on my side. [Photos]
Plans for the weekend:
Guggenheim Museum - finally
The Magic Flute at the Met tomorrow night
Early-morning breakfast at Balthazar
Maybe a visit to the Russian Bath
Never a dull moment in this town.
Pia is leaving new York next Sunday, so we need to start some serious planning if we want to cram everything we've wanted to do into these last seven days. And although it's Lent, there's no shortage of things to do: Last night Geoff invited us to his one-room apartment for some real Italian dinner. The official reason was to say goodbye to Jeff, who we then discovered will be returning to New York in three weeks - hopefully in time to send me off with a proper St. Paddy's Day celebration. The good food and company was spiced up by Geoff's musical talent - who needs a stereo when you can have it all live, and of the highest quality! We did some singing, too, which felt good after a long musical hiatus on my side. [Photos]
Plans for the weekend:
Guggenheim Museum - finally
The Magic Flute at the Met tomorrow night
Early-morning breakfast at Balthazar
Maybe a visit to the Russian Bath
Never a dull moment in this town.
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