Before and After

 

 

The little red apple like object on my side table was bought last week .With a smiley face it could be gripped and twisted into any shape creating a variety of expressions ! Sales pitch informed me that not only did it strengthen hand muscles but relieved stress. As you know there has been rather too much of this in my life of late so I decided it was a must have . Sure enough it proved fun until yesterday when, on giving it an extra hard squeeze it burst, covering me , my notebook , clothes , sofa , carpet with a strange white substance .The quantity was astonishing .Reader it took me over an hour to clear up , change clothes , have a shower and of course rescue my notebook . [Praise be here for Bobbie Brown make up brushes.] As for stress ? .... Sky high. My advice to any who see these items and feel tempted ---- BEWARE. They may be small but the contents go a very long way .

Music For Today and Every Day !

Yesterday I woke to hear this being played on Irish Radio .Later I browsed YouTube and this particular performance impressed me. It is ,the final movement of an astonishing symphony which never ceases to fill me with such joy .It is so powerful,emotional and the word beautiful is simply not enough.Listen and enjoy. Details of the symphony , composer etc ,are to be read on screen.

My Easter Sunday

No eggs , no trips out ---but --- a fantastic sleep which enabled me to achieve quite a lot and in so doing ,' resurrect' myself . Much needed after the last months ! It would be a lie to say have done the lot , though truth to report a massive inroad made . Here's a much happier Miss V and the Funkturm illuminated as dusk falls.

From Schimmel Palace to Junkyard

At the unearthly hour of 7:30 am removal men were ringing my bell .

Thus began a day best described as HELL . Oh the efficiency was astonishing ,and one could but marvel at their strength . Yet my mind was too muzzy and confused to keep track of things . On closing the door ,I caught a bus to my new abode . Thank heavens a friend met me at this new address . What a support she was .

Some one once said ,"if you have one true friend , then you have more than your share " .So yes , I'm fortunate .Men kept bringing in boxes which I no longer had a clue about . A part of my sofa is AWOL and the washing machine has decided to become incontinent !

Ideal homes is not my scene but this is how things are at 22.39 Easter Saturday night . Its pretty terrible , overwhelming and a trip up trap at each and every turn .

The metamorphosis will take a while . Meanwhile as another friend has pointed out --- enjoy sleeping in a schimmel free new apartment . After getting up at 6am today I could sleep on a washing line ! Also revel in the new view , which , if you look at the collage you'll see.

Happy Easter to all . No eggs for me .Merely cartons and more of the same .

Schimmel Palace Abdication Notice.

The following notice has been issued from Schimmel Palace , Charlottenburg , Berlin :-
As from tomorrow Helena Mikas will be taking up residence in a normal dwelling . ie ) schimmel free.
She is reported to be spending her last night at the 'palace ' in the one schimmel free room .Indeed where she has spent the best part of the last year . Asked about her relocation she is reported to have said ," No regrets. All that I shall miss are 'some' of my neighbours ."

Thought For Today

Love involves a peculiar unfathomable combination of understanding and misunderstanding.

Diane Arbus ....

Shame On Randy Neugebauer.

Randy Neugebauer , an ultra conservative Texan Republican owned up to the fact that it was he who shouted 'baby killer ' during the American health programme debate . Quote :-
"While I remain heartbroken over the passage of this bill and the tragic consequences it will have for the unborn, I deeply regret that my actions were mistakenly interpreted as a direct reference to Congressman Stupak himself,"
Mr Neugebauer comes across as somewhat shortsighted and frighteningly extreme .....
a) He does not see there should be any such thing as a woman's right to choose . Wonder why ?
b) He appears incapable of using simple basic maths to work out that thousands of children born to parents who have no health insurance , will themselves be at great risk when medical bills cannot be paid .From what I have read many people ,children and adults were in danger of being 'killed ' due to lack of appropriate medical help .
c)The actual numbers of women who seek abortion for any number of reasons is, by comparison, very small indeed .
d) Pregnancy , minus good medical care and support, puts mothers and their unborn children at risk .
Let's face it , big business is at work here .All they seek to protect is their profits .
Come on America . Be proud of moving into the real world where all are catered for .
As one who has several pre existing conditions I, along with millions am not denied full health care within Europe. That , MrNeugebauer is civilization !

The Dark Reality Of Green Berlin !

Tell a German that you have Schimmel in your apartment and they will gasp in horror whilst at the same time taking two steps away . Nothing has such an effect . The reason being, media coverage spells out the health risks and dangers to some tune . Scary stuff . Yet , when , like me you find yourself living in very a reduced area , with clothing and furniture all ruined due to Schimmel , where do you get help ? Nowhere . All becomes a costly, lengthy,legal battle . A visit, (well armed with reports pinpointing the exact nature and health risk of the affected areas) to the official deparments for building , environment or health ,result in ,"it's nothing to do with us " . Reader, as this is a culture of civil servants (most being anything but), with salary and pension guaranteed they can afford to be indifferent . Yes , removal day is looming large and can't come too soon .Yet even after closing the door on this horror it will follow me . How ? Via lawyers and more stress ... oh yes and of course more money.

Knights In Orange Armour !

These guys, a part of the BSR [Berliner Stadtreinigung] ,are amazing . Today they brought sunshine and a lot more order into my chaotic and of late, somewhat unpleasant life . For just 45€ they removed virtually all my furniture with a speed and efficiency second to none . Due to structural defects galore, my apartment is a health hazard ,as it's full of mildew. The German word Schimmel conveys the nastiness of this dangerous , destructive stuff. Mildew may sound harmless but is anything but . With superb punctuality my 'Three Musketeers' arrived at 7am. They love their work , view it as a work out and enjoy meeting people . I enjoyed the encounter with their cheerful natures plus professionalism. There is still much to attend to before I move out. Space created by today's action has enabled me to glimpse a light at the end of a ghastly tunnel . Thank you BSR ! A service Berlin can be proud of .

Thought for today

"Nothing is so strong as real gentleness and nothing is so gentle as real strength ."
Ralph W Sockman

Lord Monckton . An Honest Man .

On November 6th 2009 , I wrote a post re the outrageous gathering in Copenhagen .Funded by us the taxpayer it certainly gave the self elected elite a free luxury holiday. Further predicted, it was nought but another costly farce with petty squabbles and new ideas for taxing the public .

Yesterday, friends in Australia sent me a link to a broadcast aired in January 2010 . Broadcaster Alan Jones and Lord Christopher Monckton talk sense. Refreshing to hear . Something we haven't heard much of in a long time .

Earlier as I was checking my mail a news head line flashed up .....

Scientists now claim to have proof that problems come from under the sea . Watch out folks . The airline industry has taken a bashing with taxes . The public ,weary of taxes galore have switched back to cruises ..... Looks like the funding for the next gravy train gathering is going to be funded by shipping

As for the link .It's excellent listening .Click on my links and decide. Look up Lord Monckton in google .There are first rate videos .

The Very Unholy Catholic Church .

Who would imagine that the Church and crime would go together on such a grand scale ?
Yet is is all too clear that at the core it is rotten . The Catholic Church , who are completely out of touch with reality , and what life in 2010 means, being the biggest offenders in Christianity .
Humans were meant for each other,celibacy going against all the laws of nature .
The numerous cases of abuse in Ireland , America and now Germany illustrate what happens to many who seek to live an unnatural life.
Yet still Rome protects these offenders. Be the offence sexual , brutal , or emotional all should be kicked out .
Some years ago I was extremely ill . So much it warranted intensive care . My priest was sent for but was indifferent plus he offered no communion . In my very sick state I expressed a doubt in God . Hence I was informed that I deserved to be ill as a punishment ! Compassion ----- not really. Many months later I resigned my position as chair person of the Church Council only to receive an official letter from this sham of a Priest informing me that I was, as like as not, possessed by Satan . Laughable , sure, but for many a person distressing .The letter was taken for scrutiny to the Cardinal and Bishop of Berlin . They admitted it had the tone of the middle ages,, was also very wrong but , did nothing re the guilty person's status. Some nuns I knew were shocked at my action stating that ALL priests are Jesus here on earth . Such blind belief is tragic .
Wealth , ease, not to mention immunity from the law is the real creed of the Catholic Church . It's not my idea of a faith and spirituality. As for infallibility ...that has to be one very sick joke .If there are any out there who wish to point out how many good priests there are , fine. However whilst the Vatican dictates and yet insists on immunity for ordained transgressors it remains a Church of shame and lies .

You Are My Sunshine

This has been a special song for me since childhood . At the many jazz gigs I attend it is often played and the buzz never diminishes . So imagine my joy at finding this version on YouTube . There has been little sunshine for many for a long time it seems . Awful winter , earthquakes, on going wars, on going battles with Hausverwaltung etc etc . Yet when the going gets tough and yes ,this last week has been , I listen to this. It's simple , it's warm . it's emotional and above all it's human ! Hope it brings sumshine to all,where ever you may be .

Treat Yourself and Feelgood !

A week ago today was the fantastic Dr Feelgood Concert where, as well as a kiss ( yes I have washed my face ) I got a very snazzy long armed shirt especially made for fans as crazy as myself.In my favourite colours .. how did they know ? The following day should have been bliss but was more than marred by German bureaucracy at it's worst. This coupled with packing all my belongings ... a daunting task at the best of times .. had me wondering if I should opt to be a nun or a trampette. As fate had it, my foxy nature saw the battle through and yes by Friday I had won. Satisfying but exhausting . Someone suggested I should treat myself ,so sure enough I did . Here you see one jacket made to go with a very special Feelgood T Shirt . Two excellent items with a great feelgood rating . Err there were two bonus rewards in the form of 2 handbags but well .....I never would have made a nun and life as a trampette under a bridge´could be pretty tough .Unless in a marvellous canal boat .Ah , but that's another story

Morality-America-Tiger Woods-A Farce !

Don't know about you but I for one am rather weary of hearing what a shocking person Tiger Woods is . Queries as to whether he can ever be trusted again abound. What is it with America ? Tiger Woods plays golf . He is not , nor has he ever pretended to be , holier than thou . The Bible Bashers who abound especially in US would do well to remember certain words from the Bible :-
" Let him who is without sin cast the first stone "
Then take a good look at some politicians , past and recent . The very big question over Iraq and an invasion engineered via lies . Vietnam, where chemical agents were used with full knowledge of the frightful side effects . Nixon and Watergate . Arms deals with with Iran and South American groups .The list goes on and on yet few say a word. Regan was willing to send any number of young men to certain death and do deals with the 'devil in many forms' . Bush Junior , Cheney and Rummie knew about torture , lies and illegal prison camps . They have got away with it, maintaining power and privilege and minus apologies.
The Catholic Church has abused so many and they too have got off lightly and without faces being shown ,plus they are still Priests .
Similar double standards are to be found within the halls of politics and religion in UK . So to sum up ......
Tiger Woods has a private matter for which he is being pilloried .He must apologize and beg forgiveness .Why ?
A final note :- the very country who are making much of what is common place in our society is also one of the largest producers of porn and alternative websites . If that weren't so tragic I would laugh .

Enough of Bullies Thus Enough of China.

Don't know about you but I've had it with China .The bully boys of the world .Who do they think they are ? Let another country criticize them and wow up comes the retort ,'stop meddling in our affairs ' Yet , thugs that they are, they dictate whom legally elected governments of other nations should meet with. Failure to do as Big Brother China says results in trouble , threats and spiteful actions . Bullies, there is no other way to describe them .

With their lack of human rights , trade in illegal arms to Africa , endless pressure on Taiwan , occupation and persecution of Tibet and it's people , indeed all religious beliefs ,it makes the late Saddam Hussein looks like a boy scout ! Why do we allow it ?

Since so many western firms have moved there to use what is slave labour . The goods are not quality controlled and can be sold on at a profit .´Don't know about you, but cheap items are not for me. Give me one quality item well produced any time .Let's see Western business return home and , in so doing ,sort out unemployment .Leave the Chinese to stew in their own Chop Suey . That is one very dangerous government [regime ]. Unelected and built on genocide it should be ignored and sanctioned . For example no Chinese student or person has access to points of view other than the regimes . Readers outside of China can surf the net and read freely ,agree or disagree. That is freedom .

Well done President Obama and may His Holiness the Dalai Lama be with us for many years .He is the true spirit of humanity .

Dr Feelgood Makes You Feel Very Good .

Yesterday was not only Valentine's Day , it was the final day of the Dr Feelgood tour in Germany .Pardon the pun , a "lovely" way to end . They were fantastic and the atmosphere in Quasimodo Jazz Club ,Berlin was electric . Again I regret my camera quality but trust me this place is mega dark .

My dilemma now is ..to wash or not to wash . Having been kissed by the vocalist who with his energy ,made seeing believing .I also discovered that sure , being a groupie is still possible !

This group have no B type numbers .All are tops .Makes you proud to be British .Let's hear it for Dr Feelgood as government.

In Helena's Links you can view the Dr Feelgood website .Check out the gigs and listen to their music . A prescription guaranteed to lift your spirits .

Total Immersion In Music .

Sunday was sensational and best described as 'total immersion in music '. Up early , once ready out to the Yorkschlösschen in Kreuzberg. My meal was even better than it looks . Note :- food at this place is extremely good . Today an act from Holland was on at 2pm . Louis and the Losers . Odd name ,especially as this duo gave four hours of the most fantastic music . New Orleans jazz, rhythm and blues, boogie , rock n roll. That place was jumping . To see an accordion used with jazz and boogie was a first for me . Terrific . His keyboard playing was breathtaking and two little videos are included .Yes , yes my camera doesn't do justice but it gives you some idea .Watch his hands .
After this gig on to the Philharmonie where a concert of works by Schubert and Barber rounded my day off . Music brings untold joy and it's rare that the performers earn much. Can we say the same for politicians , and those engaged in the weapons industry ? I think not .

I Love Stupidity

Next weekend the amazing Dr Feelgood is in town and I'm like a cat on hot bricks with anticipation . Their CD, Stupidity is well worth buying .
So today when I walked past this window it was almost 'meant for me.' Too good a shot to miss .
From then on ,the day got better and better . It was , in contrast to weeks of minus temps , warm enough to take coffee out of doors on the Kudamm . After that, shopping . Many people say cities are lonely . Anonymous , unfriendly , cold are words usually attributed to such places .In my experience , never the case . For example, ,later whilst waiting in line for the ladies toilet I had an animated conversation with a young lady . We covered so many topics and afterwards , outside, discovered we had something in common.... writing . She is about to complete her first children's book , which she also illustrates . Could it be that those who find cities almost hostile , are in reality locked within themselves and a desire to conform .If so I give one piece of advice ...break free , BE STUPID !

Truth For The Day

Carrie Bradshaw [Sex and City] has some pretty shrewd observations. For example :-

“When it comes to life and love, why do we believe our worst reviews?”

Oh so true and oh so sad . Why, I ask myself do we do this ?
Take me for example. An English woman in Berlin and for too many years a target of constant criticism for my spoken German . Note: not Germans [OK one was ,but she liked nothing about yours truly ] Most were Brits ,Italians etc .
In the last two months a guy who is a moderator at RBB the main broadcasting service was complimentary and then a lady, who is a part of the Goethe Institute hierarchy . Neither had any ulterior motive and on each occasion only German had been spoken .So now I've learned something much more important than Dative ,Accusative , or Genitive .
I've realized that I'm pretty good .

A Moon Collage

Out and about this afternoon the sky had a beautiful rose tint and there was a full moon - Something I never tire of photographing . Then only a couple of hours later a marvelous velvety black backdrop for the shining silver orb .

Dr Zhivago Weather .

Berlin at this moment ! Sure we do have sun which when viewed through the window looks so inviting .
Haze
-14° C
Feels Like: -19° C
Wind: From ENE at 10kmph

I, who am anything but domesticated would rather continue my premature Spring cleaning but appointments call. Am not convinced that my fur coat and hat will keep me warm in this .

A Date For Your Diary .

This has to be the offer of the month ! For 10 euro on line or , just 8 euro at the box office , you can get a ticket with free choice of seat for the following concert:-

Wolfgang Zerer Organ
Johann Sebastian BachPrelude and Fugue in B minor BWV 544 Johann Sebastian BachSonata in G major BWV 530 Max RegerIntroduction, Passacaglia and Fugue in E minor Op. 127

Venue .. the Berlin Philarmonie , where the organ is spectacular .

Time and Date .. 12-00 noon on the 31 January .

Why do I write this ? I'm astonished and some what saddened to hear that from a capacity of 2000 +seats, only 400 + have yet been sold . Programme , acoustics being so exceptional ,I can guarantee a heaven and earth experience will be yours .

Berlin Girls Out On The Town

No matter how cold , and yes last night sure was, a night on the town suitably attired is terrific . Here's a collage depicting some of the sights seen.

First the Sony Centre ..[ the illuminated sunflower type images being a part of the roof ]

Selecting the film to see was tricky as this month's programme is amazing . All the more reason therefore to begin with a laugh and the new Meryl Streep/ Steve Martin movie [Complicated ] guaranteed this. The New York film looks interesting .Then there's the latest Cohen bothers work [A Serious Man] etc. Later , over the road to the Hyatt Vox Bar where Kat Baloun was performing . As ever, terrific and her rendition of 'All Of Me' was captured on film.What I would have given to perform a duet with her ! Until now I'd no idea that as well as harmonica ,this very talented jazz musician and vocalist also plays drums !

However , great as it was, the Yorkschloesschen is more my kind of place and ,early February she's there . So too home , past the Funkturm illuminated as usual but green as this week has been International Grüne Woche . At Theodor- Heuss Platz the above bicycle , was a must photograph ! Stuck fast in the icy snow, it had become a frozen work of natures art .

Barock , Boogie , Rock.N Roll !

I arrived home in the early hours after a great night at the Kleine Weltlaterne where Otto Hamborg and the VierTakter were playing [ minus one however ] but, as ever ,brilliant . It was a real foot stamping , hand clapping evening ,interspersed with some terrific pieces of Barock . To join in with 'Sunny side of the Street' , 'You are My Sunshine ', 'Ain't She Sweet' , 'Exactly Like you' , never loses it's magic for me .I know all the words ! There was so much more including Schillers Ode to Joy from Beethovens 9th ....... Guess who will go to sleep singing ?

LEGS ELEVEN ( Plus )

Magic words spotted in today's press :-

"Having a well-covered behind, big hips and solid thighs "is good for you", experts said on Tuesday in a new finding likely to delight women the world over. "

As one who has loathed her muscular thighs for longer than I care to recall ,I now feel simply brilliant ! For all too long the fashion boot designers plus fashion jeans manufacturers have catered for those with skinny legs ..... May they please take note that those such as me with small waists , nicely shaped 'po' and good thighs are likely to live a lot longer ... Hence more sales .Good reason to smile and cheer eh .There is another but you'll have to wait for that a little longer yet ..........

Simple Elegance Keeps You Warm and Chic

 
 
Today has been another bitterly cold day so what better place to call for a chat than a furrier's shop here in Berlin . After coffee and chocolates , gin and tonic came the fun part-trying items on .
This is the only item that felt right on me . The plain and simple lines sum up that which appeals to BVFL, and yes, as ever black brings out the Goth in yours truly . Standing outside in the street gave the passers by a giggle . Me too !

Happy New Year Via the Universality Of Beethoven

This little piece is one of many played for me by a lighthouse keeper on Daedlaus Reef in the Red Sea . I'm now back in Berlin and since today is January 1st 2010 it's my way of wishing you all a Happy New Year .Yes Beethoven's 9th Symphony has a significance here on this date .
As an English woman living in Germany ,the fact that this small clip is possible due to a person in Egypt points to the fact that there is, only one mankind .
Let's never loose sight of this and may we the majority seek to build bridges of friendship . The small minority of evil types can only win if we allow them to ,by mistrust and loss of faith in each other. Read the words of Schiller in his Ode to Joy . Beethoven knew what he was doing when he incorporated them .

Bothered And Very Bewildered.

So far the dialogue in Copenhagen has produced enough hot air to set the world on fire ! My only claim to being green is the nausea I experience when reading the latest dictates from this bun fight .

As usual Europe is seen as the rich continent , responsible for every evil.

Why ? Clean air acts have been in force here for many a year . Water pollution is monitored and transport conforms to clean emissions . The public are taxed each pay day and now on all air travel . The vast majority of manufacturing takes place where ?

India and China .Reasons being life is cheap , labour likewise ,controls few and far between and corruption rife .ie ) make as may rules as you will but in theses countries a bribe will always get the official to look away . To talk of China and India as being developing countries is madness . Both keep a peasant underclass .One via caste system. The other through communism . Each has nuclear war heads galore and tests such frequently . Poverty ? No --an unfair distribution of wealth but through no fault of Europe . I read that Africa staged a protest . Well there's a surprise .They still have no decent roads and infrastructure. Who is to blame there ? Rubbish is strewn in many parts as indeed it is in India etc . Yet not a word .

Go to India and see the rusting transport carrying too many . Poverty is not the cause .It's indifference by the wealthy leaders who themselves have no need to use such.

Europe is judged as being wealthy since it has social welfare paid for by taxes . Fair distribútion . There in lies the difference and until Africa , China , India,Vietnam, Cambodia to name but a few , clean their act up in every sense of the word ,no amount of talk and money will save the climate .

Now it seems that if all is implemented over 55000 Germans will lose their jobs .

Which means what ? Fewer goods for the Chinese market but not a jot of difference to the climate .

My Snowdomes .

In just a couple of years my collection , has , like Topsy , grown and grown .Why you may wonder do I get such a buzz from these small things .
Not only do they serve to bring back pleasant memories of places visited ,they also show how much others think about me when ,on their travels ( business and pleasure )they take time out to find one and bring back as a surprise present .No precious gems. could ever make me happier - Plus it's Christmas all year round !
I may add a musical track .Not sure yet .

Thought For Today And President Obama.

War: a massacre of people who don't know each other for the profit of people who know each other but don't massacre each other.

Paul Valery .

So President Obama who , whilst campaigning , pledged peace and withdrawal of troops from overseas ,now believes war is necessary and conveniently presents the Hitler scenario as a parallel case for Afghanistan . SPARE US .
Hitler marched into Poland and ,didn't stop there . (By the way in 1939 the USA were not in the least bit interested in this. Only years later with Pearl Harbour. did they actually join in.) China still occupies Tibet but Mr Obama is keen to do more business with this regime . How soon his principles have changed .
Afghanistan has not invaded any country . Quite the contrary they have had the British , the Russians invade them , big time , then a civil war . I'm no lover of their life style but believe they should be left to develop their own society . Chaos and corruption rule after years of war . I don't see the advocates of further fighting taking up arms .The swaggering Mr Kasai doesn't exactly dirty his hands , save via deals with his brother . The above quote from Paul Valery sums it up. President Obama ,may be eloquent ,but this war talk is becoming oh so akin to that of his predecessor. Just who exactly is governing America ?
The Generals and Goldman Sachs or him .
You see they were not elected ! He was . Time to recall those pledges .

Panasonic

There are some who know me well enough to know that I am a Panasonic fan plus. Just see that brand name and I want to buy. Panasonic never comes cheap but in my experience has always guaranteed fabulous quality .. My Dimension 4 cooker , video , DVD and amazing Fridge -Freezer. All are wonderful . So why am I not so in love with this name right now ?Answer :-

The Panasonic Lumix TZ7

This is the second time I have purchased such a camera, The Lumix 5 had to go back as it was faulty .Purchased from a specialised camera shop I had a hard job getting a refund .Then last weekend I bought the latest version . After so many rave reviews I felt sure all would be fine. This time at a shop where most items are discounted and the returns policy excellent . Once more my Lumix is a lemon . Why ?

The settings are many and varied so I was advised to begin with 'intelligent auto focus ' There's a laugh - little intelligence . It simply can't deal with indoor ,artificial light . One is either jaundiced or cancerous . Nothing is sharp . Not desirable. The video mode is good and the microphone excellent . This is all . However, sad to say ,Panasonic insist you have Quick time format [not wonderful on a windows PC ] It is proving impossible to upload a video from Picasa to YouTube and to my blog . I can view but can't upload from windows. One of the main YouTube reviewers of Panasonic suggested I put examples of the shots on Flickr . Not wishing to open yet another system I've gone half way and made a collage on Picasa. It shows you really poor images . Thumbs down , money back go elswhere. Still I do have my fridge freezer .

Note) The previous post as indeed most others carry photos taken with a very old 65 € digital camera. It may lack the video sound quality but in stills is better.

Christmas In Berlin

Although Christmas has never been my favourite festival I can report there is improvement ! Last year in Scotland was fun and this year seems set to be fine . Friday night found me at The Scotch and Sofa with a very cosmopolitan group .Then today after buying a new camera it was down to one of nicest Christmas Markets in Berlin. Held at the Gendarmenmarkt ,it really is beautiful . The choice of food was fantastic. Excellent entertainment too . Inspite of extremely cold weather these ballet dancers never even shivered . The flamenco was stunning . Perched on a table top it was impossible to avoid heads , heads and more heads . I've also found just what I want in place of a Christmas tree , but more of that later . Do note that the pictures are with my old camera . Next week will find me trying the new one .[fingers crossed ]

EU No Smoking Ban in Berlin

Today I was at Die Eins for a jazz brunch . One of the greatest spots to put on your 'places to go in Berlin' list-
Now when it comes to the EU smoking ban , Germany is not running true to world image . ie ) viewed as a law abiding people to a fault , this regulation has shown their weak spot . Many areas have revolted in a manner befitting the reputation of their French neighbours .
Quite a lot of places still permit smoking and actually advertise such - Others have upstairs rooms , outside tables . the variations are amazing . Die Eins has opted for hi tech sophistication.with this smoking chamber . Resembling an Internet booth it takes two people at a time . On entering, the smoker presses a switch , lights up and the offending fumes are extracted in a heavenly direction via a star trek type porthole . Here you see the brilliant drummer and vocalist Meinolf “Cookie” Saggel . Unaware of this gadget he had chosen to stand outside in the rain . Once informed he was in like a shot to try it . Reckon his smile says a lot for marks out of ten .
My own rating . Well as a none smoker I have to say it's a superb device and all are happy since it does work 100% . Upstairs rooms or partitioned places don't .

Lies --- The New Truth .?

The press is full of the story of the pair who gate crashed President Obama's state dinner. Reality TV is involved , claiming how the couple told them they had an official invitation . OK ..Why didn't TV do some checking ? It seems all the blame is being placed on security .
Reality TV is anything but reality .Cheap to produce ,it consists of wannabees doing anything to get their small trashy , fabricated moment of 'fame'.
One fictitious mess spawns another as the those who suffer from 'copycat syndrome' sadly sit glued to the box seeking what, for them passes as inspiration. The liars go unpunished .Indeed they are glamorized ..and so the great big wheel keeps turning .
Is this what society has sunk to ? My post will carry no image of these two creepy social criminals . If you think I'm being hard , think about how much security we already have in our lives . Stunts such as this only serve to increase it.

Good News For The World .

At times it seems the news is all bad . Then,as if to show there's hope , all be it seldom ,we get a great item . On coming home late last night and logging on ,there it was ...... No Tony Bliar [Blair as EU President ] , no Milliband as EU Foreign Affairs Minister . Cause indeed to celebrate .So called a friend, had a glass of port and lemon ,played Dr Feelgood's Hog For You Baby . Truly I was happy as can be .

One had to note how very widespead contempt for Bliar is.

Tony you may well perceive yourself as a presidential god , most see you for what you really are .

First beaten by a rare species of protected bat and the now the EU .

ps) it dawned on me today why G W Bush liked you . As the world knows ,this guy has THE LAZY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR as his number one read ..

Well hunger for power knows no limits with you and just let's think of how a caterpillar moves !

From Barcelona to Berlin.

What a fabulous Sunday this has been .Colourful too in a strange sort of way . The Yorkschlösschen in Kreuzberg was a 'must', as Acki Hoffman and Friends were playing there . These guys have your feet tapping with each number .Plus I was the recipient of a yet another snowdome from Acki .Here you see us with the little treasure from Barcelona . If anyone wonders as to why I am muffled in my coat , read on ... A waitress carrying a full tray of drinks tripped and one very large glass of red went all over yours truly .This resulted in my having to take my top off , rinse it well and hang on the radiators . Now OK, lovely as my lingerie may be I decided to cover up . It was hilarious and much later with a special rendition of Ain't She Sweet I was able to don a dry piece of clothing . Some talk of red letter days. Mine was 'red wine and snowdome. ' Lovely . Hence after this final piece I rocked and rolled all the way home ...... Apologies for my duff cam and mic

Stupidity of Another Kind

ALISTAIR

DARLING

A man that brains and honesty forgot . Yes the dreary little puppet of Gordon Brown's , still holds office in spite of his many notorious expenses claims coupled with tax evasion .[read Daily Telegraph revelations ]
Each time this specimen opens his mouth with yet another idea for financial recovery , global warming , you name it ,the pound sinks further !
You have to laugh ,as we the tax paying public foot another lush ,and oh so grand gathering of the greedy G20 , every syllable uttered by this fool is like some nuclear fall out ...DANGEROUS .
Ever tried using sellotape Darling -- on your mouth ?
Once more I ask why was this bunfight not done via video conferencing ?

Just Who Is Stupid ?

We seem surrounded by prophets of doom these days. All bent on informing us that our days are numbered and we are guilty . Not they .. merely us .
Take the Green Party. If I could ,I would,only to leave them somewhere extremely untamed .Let's see how well they'd do minus all their creature comforts ! Then how about a tour round the house of Al Gore ,noting if he puts into practice that which he preaches . As for Franny Armstrong ... what a joke she is . Has the gall to condemn air travel yet , deems it as being OK for herself to get from A to B promoting her dictates.
Their whole mission is a farce . One in which over population is never mentioned .There is never so much as a whisper about China's increasing daily pollution . Not a word about the third world factories spilling chemicals into the water table whilst at the same time spewing toxic gas into the air .
The latest joke is to take place in Denmark .Yes, in December UN delegates will meet in Copenhagen to discuss what can be done . Question ) how will they get there ? Answer ) By air .
Why I ask in these days of amazing telecommunications is this necessary ? A video conference would save so much fuel , so much money .Ah, but what then the free luxury beanfeast , the
hotels , etc etc .The wives out for a shopping trip and gala ball.
I for one am weary of footing the bill for these types and then being made to pay even more tax on any air ticket I choose to purchase . In the following words ..IT'S A RIP OFF .
The world climate has changed ever since time began .
Continents have shifted ,and will ,over many years continue to do so .There are things we can do to have a clean planet.
Are all governments banning nuclear tests ?
Are all governments insisting that there are no oil spillages by the use of rust bucket ships ?
Are all rain forests truly left in tact and protected .
Are firms banned from sending spam advertising mail through regular postal systems ?
The list is endless. And all answers are NO
Who is stupid ? Well as I see it we are for accepting these dictates of pay up or else on an annual holiday . At the same time the likes of Franny Armstrong are for expecting us to take her oh so seriously .
Until all G8 ,G 20 and UN can work debating using video conferencing ,minus a financed super luxury freebie,I for one say. Sorry guys, I'm neither green nor am I cabbage looking in spite of my headgear in this picture .

B A T S

Born Again , Back Again To Sin ! BVFL.

On the Eve of All Hallows ,

Somewhere deep in France .

A creature so sombre all dressed in black ,

Decided Miss V had better come back

With a flash of light and the blood of live mice,

His strange incantations rang through the night ,

Then who should appear from webs spun so thick.

But Berlin's Foxy Lady...How's that for magic ?

The Final Curtain

It's been fun writing as BVFL but now the time has arrived to say " Good bye ".
Let's hope one day , all in this world will learn to be kind to each other and we'll see an end to the rewarding of corruption .
Where I'll go and what comes next , who can say .

THE END

Aint She Sweet,Got Blue Plastic On Her Feet .

Miss Vixen as you have never seen her . Not wearing her furs or the latest from Mode und Sparen,but protective gear which had to be worn to enter a room left in a real unhealthy mess by some German workman . Even with this outfit I can honestly say it wasn't a pleasant experience .
When will this problem be resolved via legal process.? No point in saying "watch this space", as I calculate it will be many postings before that occurs .
So for the time being this is Star Wars Vixen off to gather her photographic evidence of the worst work I have ever set eyes on !

Heidelberg,Worms ,Frankfurt, Mannheim, Speyer ,Mainze

The last ten days have been spent in Darmstadt . Not exactly a large German city , but a friendly one. An amazing German rail system coupled with Vodafone UMTS enabled me to set out each day [plus small notebook] to get work done and explore various towns and cities .

These were :-

Heidelberg , Worms ,Frankfurt , Mannheim , Speyer , Mainze .

Heidelberg situated on the River Neckar is delightful and clearly a tourist haven .With its castle ,old town and river ,this is a place which draws you back .

Worms [pronounced vorms ] is small ,pleasant with an impressive cathedral .The day we went there was a choral organ concert and one could but marvel at the acoustics .

Frankfurt , standing on the River Main is a business city.One feature I do like about this city is the extremely modern architecture . There is also a small Alt Stadt.

Mannheim is a city which had to be more or less rebuilt after WW 2 and a grid system was used .There remains a fascinating water tower ,a beautiful Jesuit Church and a very old palace

There is also has a truly superb ice cream shop. Fontanella . Look up http://www.eisfontanella.de/ In my jargon a place such as this is a 'hot spot' .Really great ice cream is a find and make it .

Speyer built along the Rhine is small but very pretty . It's an Alt Stadt with lots of cafes , churches, museums and shops . I made several lovely purchases here.

Finally Mainze built on the Rhine .This was /is my favourite . The cathedral is astonishing and the old town sensational. Food is wonderful ,reasonably priced and well served . Shops are tasteful and display quality goods . Guess who can't wait to revisit ?

I saw so much in each place and would advise any visitors to Germany to forget the A train... Just take DBahn .

Top Row L-R
Above the roof tops of Frankfurt / Commerce Area /Bridge into Worms / Heidelberg Castle.

Mid Row L-R

River Neckar /Water Tower Mannheim /Jesuit Church Mannheim/ St Josephs Speyer.

Bottom Row L-R

Speyer Cathedral /Old City Mainze / Mainze Cathedral / Above roof tops of Frankfurt .

Seen In The London Scene.

Yesterday I got up at 4:15 am in order to get ready and take the first BA flight to London.
Not my favourite city but well worth it to spend a day with a friend who used to work here .
We had a terrific time catching up on news , latest in books read etc etc . People watching , eating and drinking . At my request she kept me well away from Downing Street and Parliament .
The collage shows our 1st watering hole , a street show in Covent Garden , one of many fountains , Piccadilly Circus , a view of Parliament ,then inside a super Doc Martins shop .
The solo picture was also taken in this shop .I couldn't resist it. Born in Manchester and a lover of double meanings this appealed to my wicked side . British Airways may have lost their edge , terminal five is a nightmare, UK security checks are administered by 'fish wife ' types who bawl and shout ,BUT for friendship , fun and so much laughter ,all of these horrors were bearable.

note:- not only did I walk miles in my new boots , I was given another snowdome as a present !

IFA Berlin 2009

IFA is a huge exhibition for the latest in consumer electronics . Maybe ,but for me IFA stands for ,' International Fun Always' . This afternoon [ the last day ] I went and had the time of my life . Impossible to see everything, yet I packed a lot in and even had a go at the Vodafone Air Guitar competition . Vodafone made their own film which is on You Tube .A member of the staff made these using my little camera . Letting your hair down , not to mention kicking your legs up is extremely good for one .... why not try it.







One note to US viewers .
In my 20's I was hit by a driver. All these very lively limbs were smashed and the prospect bad . The amazing health service of UK put me together and to this day I give thanks for that . My mother was a recent widow ,and I a student yet the best Orthopaedic Specialist in the North West of England saw to me . President Obama is right and for those who say he is wrong take note.

New Boots , New Jazz Season.

A new month and we move into a new season . As luck would have it I found the very pair of boots I've been looking for . Then to start Die Kleine Weltlaterne season, who else but Otto Hamborg and the Viertakter. They really got things moving with a programme of Barock to Rock 'n' Roll.

Today I saw this amazingly tall man and wondered how he would look in boots .[ a lot of leather would be needed ]

Finally how about this guy's job ? Coming up the escalator in Karstadt Store what should I see but a lady being painted ! Totally naked save for her chic knickers she stood ín public as the artist did his work .

Never a dull moment . Note ] today the smell of Autumn was in the air .It made me feel almost drunk with joy . A colourful season which I for one love .

Wild West ? No ,Western Berlin

It isn't every day that you come across a group of cowboys standing outside a drinks establishment. So lucky that I always have a camera with me . Here's the proof .A great bunch of guys they explained how they were having a days ride around the city . Each owned a horse so all was possible . Getränke Hoffmann on Kaiserdamm was their watering hole . Minus a horse I may be, but I did have my trusty bike .