Taking A Chance .

 

The end of yet another year is ticking away . I imagine that for all it's been a year full of happenings .Some good , some negative . That, as they say. is life . Looking back on 2010 it's my wish to choose three highlights . There have been more --but my favourites are:-
1) I found a new apartment and since moving in have been extremely happy. The location ,the structure , the facilities , all serve to enhance life .My removal was around Easter time so very apt for a new start .
2) The amazing Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ10, purchased around the same time has brought endless pleasure and if the 'hits' on YouTube are any thing to go by , some of my videos have brought pleasure to others .
3) In July ,I had the most wonderful birthday ever. Spent in Luxembourg at the Blues Express Festival. The Dr Feelgood group gave me a present no money could buy . They played my favourite song as a special and with a dedication. This was filmed and gives me such a kick.
So there we are . As for 2011 let's wait and see . A 'chance' literally and metaphorically . In the photo you see a wonderful chair . This in a superb Berlin coffee shop . Comfort plus,it rotates and can seat two. I was fascinated . The young lady who served me took the time and trouble to ask her manager the supplier. A firm known as Who's Perfect ,this item is the design Chance . Plus it's available in black. Something to enhance my wonderful new apartment .
Each year gives us a chance to change our life and maybe this will be my chance for a special reason.The following words from Eleanor Roosevelt are among my favourites and help .

"I gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which I must stop and look fear in the face. I say to myself, I've lived through this and can take the next thing that comes along. We must do the things we think we cannot do." --

Eleanor Roosevelt.

I do know that this coming year is the year I should undergo massive orthopaedic surgery.. It will change my life for the better ,yet I do have fear . Eleanor's words are spot on ..
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL .

Boxing Day Then Berlin Woman's Day .

 

It continues a very happy Christmas for me and my wish is that all have experienced so much joy .
On Boxing Day, Berlin temperatures dropped.(note ice on the river)Standing deep in snow I watched seven swans a swimming doing their best to navigate flows .Then on to meet with friends for a concert of Christmas Organ music . Held in candle light the programme was beautiful. Later followed a rather good meal over which we had chance to swap stories amid much laughter. Monday 27th was special for a double reason .
The birthday of Berlin Woman ( see my links) a date which she shares with Marlene Dietrich . Thus there was a party and when an invitation was received ,I accepted. The snow continued to fall and was even deeper but as ever the BVG made travel possible. With minimal effort I crossed the city to enjoy a fantastic party. Berlin Woman is truly remarkable . She has a brilliant and genuine personality.As one of her guests put it " she is a communications bomb ". Very true plus like a magnet she attracts. Refreshing, especially in a world where many wear an armour which signals " stay away from me " .Yes, Berlin Woman is a very radiant light .Hence I've taken it upon myself to rename 27 December -Berlin Woman's' Day
Tonight yet another event and so it continues all week....All I can say is 'watch this space and may you too have a wonderful time .Remember , each and every moment is precious and people more precious than pearls .

A Very White Christmas

This was no dream it was reality , but a rather lovely one . The afternoon was spent walking and filming around Lietzensee which looked so beautiful blanketed in white .
Then later off to an evening of musical fun at the Gendarmenmarkt. It was bitterly cold but the crowds were there and so were the performers .Trio Scho ,(bass , accordion and violin) were fantastic as were DIE ARTISTOKRATEN a group who juggled , walked high wire and braved the icy weather in next to nothing . Finally we had Acki Hoffmann and friends who ,true to form were brilliant . How any of these musicians managed to play defeats me . With leather gloves my hands were like ice . They had none ... I kept imagining their breath would actually freeze ....Showmanship . There should be captions with each picture but some how my photo editor is playing games . Apologies . A video with Tri Scho follows :-

Seasons Greetings From Berlin.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

A Foxy Lady Films 'Foxy Lady'

So here's BVFL ie Berlin's Very Foxy Lady suitably clad for her day out in the chilly city today. Then a video made at Die Kleine Weltlaterne where Otto Hamborg and the Vier Takter were playing .What a must video therefore when we were treated to the piece Foxy Lady .It was, as ever ,a superb evening .

Happy Solstice ..Happy Holiday

Pictured above you see Wittenau Church photographed today at 5pm from the bus stop where I stood feeling more akin to a 'frozen monkey ' . Yet somehow the illuminated church seemed to give off warmth .

The drink you see is a 'special' night cap which goes under the name of 'JJ's Raiser' . If like me you have low blood pressure , you can easily faint or black out .... not very nice . Thus when a pharmacist told me about the terrific beneficial properties of Sekt as a bedtime tipple I was eager to try . Make a Bucks Fizz ie ) sekt + orange juice and for extra power with health benefits add some pomegranate seeds . Result ..... fabulous ! One sleeps well ,wakes bright eyed and with a normal bp . Good medicine . Enjoy the Winter Solstice and don't forget ... it's GOD day .

see :- http://www.globalorgasm.org/

Finally here's a short video shot in the early hours on my snowy balcony in the bitter cold .Worth every shiver :-

Advent in Potsdam

Here are the facts as written in Wikipedia:-
Potsdam is the capital city of the German federal state of Brandenburg and is part of the Metropolitan area of Berlin/Brandenburg.
Here are some more 'facts' from Ms Vixen :-
Potsdam is a beautiful city where one finds delightful architecture, good food , and fine fashion shopping . At this time of year it is home to a small but tasteful Advent market .
Today was a fun day ... indulging myself in books , an Advent Candle supremo and other seasonal items .In the collage you see a Trabi decorated with smaller cars. The food is Polish , Shashlik ( kebabs ) and Bigos ( stew). Roast chestnuts , french fries and gluhwein were also eaten with gusto .Every mouthful , wonderful . I can honestly say that not only is a visit to Potsdam always worthwhile but, it can make your Christmas shopping a relaxed pleasure as opposed to some mad fight in huge crowds . Leave the car , take the train , SBahn and then a tram from the main station. Have lunch there in any one of the superb places or indulge on the Advent Market .

Maybe both !

En Route For A White Christmas ?

Looking around the city today one could say "yes " to the above title/question. However ,still some days to go . With boots ,thick jacket and scarf it was a lovely day to be out and about .

Downside being ,this is not the weather to ride a bike . Theodor Heuss Platz looked beautiful as indeed did the KuDamm with decorations and so much colour . Ka De We was a must visit and to round off this rather wintry day , what nicer than a superb Indian meal . If ,like me you enjoy good Indian cuisine do try the Kabir http://www.restaurant-kabir.de/ Excellent food and sensational service . Christmas was never 'my time' but I can report that so far I'm enjoying this slow run up . Hope you are

Ms Vix and her Fix .

At the end of September all sugar was cut from my diet for medical reasons .To be honest I haven't missed it except in this form . Rosinen Schnecken ,my favourite pastry . In Neue Kant Strasse there is a sensational French Bakery known as Aux Delices Normands GmbH. Their rolls, quiche , cakes and pastries are the best in Berlin, as indeed is the coffee. Whilst partaking of which I spotted my once upon a time 'fix' favourites .How the taste buds tingled and what will power it took to say "no" to that inner self which tried to coax me to have but one . Look at all those raisins . Try Aux Delices Normands , the owner has three such places in the city. As for me ,I still get to enjoy their savouries. Not all is lost .

World Aids day 2010

Today is World Aids Day. A day set aside to further promote awareness and educate the public . So it was I was back once more at the Galli Theatre where a very special performance of Der Troja -Trick , a play written by Johnnes Galli, concerning this theme was performed.
Written with a teenage audience in mind it concentrates on responsibility , mindfulness and self esteem. It also poses the question, "when does one say yes and when does one say no ?"

A cast of five, two men and three women put on a performance that was fun , lighthearted yet at times frightening . The temptation of drugs was highlighted as were, power, abuse, fear ,guilt and confusion ,all of which were superbly confronted. Before and after the show I had the pleasure of meeting former model Waridi Schrobsdorff . She is now engaged in work with the group 'imagine'ev (no more fear.) http://www.magine.org/

If you are interested or wish to support their work please go to the website and get more information. As Waridi says "Aids is a worldwide theme , we cant ignore it "
She cares , do you ?