Merry Christmas, everyone!

May you have a christmas filled with laughter and loved ones! And lots of good food!

And don't forget: This is Baby Jesus birthday not yours!

it's Thoughful Thursday and there is no thought in my head... 

well, have a happy December 23rd anyways!

WTF: The Wikileaks Task Force

No kidding. That's the name of the official CIA investigation team. WTF?!

Speaking of WTF: Some of the mancandy pics I find are seriously WTF?!  

Happy December 22nd! 

Terrible Tuesday Train Treck

Usually I love trains as I have stated here previously. Today was not usually. Two hours delay, a train that was so packed that it took me 30 min. to get to my seat even though I boarded the right car, jam-packed stations and no information, were no way to endear this train ride to me. You'd think we've never had snow before.
Oh well, I finally made it. Tired but in one piece.

Happy December 21st!

Monday's Meh Movie review

Sometimes movies that are not good aren't really bad either (especially not awesomely terrible) but rather MEH. Woody Allen's newest oeuvre "You will meet a tall dark stranger" definitely falls into that category. Not terribly surprising, some of his movies I really like (for example "Mighty Aphrodite", "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" or "Match Point") but some leave me indifferent (like "Scoop" (even though it had Hugh Jackman in it) or "Everyone says I love you"). But seldom have I been so bored by a movie or found it so insignificant. 

Despite a promising cast (Naomi Watts, Gemma Jones, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin, Freida Pinto, Antonio Banderas) the movie was as bland and flat as yesterday's champagne. They did try, and Naomi Watts wasn't half bad, but the story was so old and used up, that even her valiant ploughing on couldn't revive it. I'm afraid it had died a slow and painful death even before the first shot was filmed. But even after death there was not enough spark to turn it into a Zombie. Nope, it just lay there like a dead flounder, not even flopping around occasionally. The sad part is, that it didn't have to end up so sadly. With a better script the story could have been quite entertaining, if trite.

The only bright spot in this otherwise forgettable movie was Lucy Punch as the occasional prostitute turned trophy wife Charmaine ("Cor?!"). So after sitting through 98 minutes of unmotivated storytelling the (banal) conclusion is: People make stupid choices. And life goes on. Thankfully I didn't have to pay for my ticket since it was a freeby. 

A solid D-

Did you see it? Whatcha think?

Happy December 20th! And here's a tall, dark stranger for you.

Update: The pudding was a success

...if I may say so myself.

This is what was left over:

After the four of us ate all of this:

Christmas Pudding

Hmmmm, it's Sunday and that usually means I'm cooking. As christmas is approaching I've been busy in the kitchen since the morning. On todays schedule is mango preserve, orange marmelade, a christmas dinner for four with a roasted leg of lamb, rosmary potatoes and green beans, and the pièce de résistance: a christmas plum pudding, right now steaming on the stove.
I have found the recipe in a small cookbook I have borrowed from my sister-in-law; all about English puddings (I may never give it back). As I never make anything exactly like the recipe tells me to (for me they are more like guidelines), I have adjusted this recipe to my taste, too.

You need: breadcrumb, milk, sago, baking soda, sultanas, dates, butter, brown sugar, and eggs. I also added chopped almonds and prunes, and some cinnamon, ginger and cardamon.

The sago has to be soaked in the milk over night. The dried fruits are chopped into little pieces. The eggs are lighly beaten. Then you just mix everything together.

You might need some more liquid to have a smooth mass (I chose plum wine...hmmm, yummy, plum wine).  Then you fill it in either a pudding form (which I don't have) or another bowl that can hold 1.5l and can be placed in boiling water. Make sure to grease the bowl well.

After smoothing out the surface with a spoon you need to cover the bowl with tinfoil and baking paper. For that you grease a piece of tinfoil large enough to cover the bowl, the you put a piece of bakingpaper on top of it (the grease will keep it together), finally you fold it in the middle, so the steam has room.

Since I was not using a pudding form with a top, I also had to cover it with a dishcloth, which I affixed with a rubber band.

You can fold the ends underneath and make a handle, so you can place the pudding more easily in the pot (and also lift it out of the pot more easily). The pudding needs to be steamed for about 3.5 - 4 hours. For that you place a small teacup upside down in a large pot.

Then you place the bowl on top of it and fill up the pot with boiling water until the bowl is standing halfway in water. The water needs to be simmering the whole time and you may have to fill it up every once in a while.

As mine is not done yet, you'll have to wait a little before I can present the result, but I'll be posting pictures of it after we had our little christmas feast tonight.

Have a happy 4th of Advent! Can you tell I'm a little obsessed with food? (And guys in the kitchen?)

Fab Friday's Review: "Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot"

One day late, but here it is: my friday review. This time about a whole series. "Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot" with David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson and Pauline Morant. The series started in 1989 and so far there have been 12 seasons. Not every season is the same, some have feature film length episodes, others shorter hour-long episodes. All depending on the original, if it was a novel or a short storie. So far we have managed to watch all seasons except season 12 from 2010. And let me tell you, it wasn't easy getting a hold on all seasons here in Germany, especially in the correct order (and those of you who know me, know what a stickler I am for the correct order). For some reason the series came out only partially in Germany and started with season 4 followed by season 1. A very strange affair, perhaps I should investigate.
With regards to content, the cases Poirot has to solve are as strong as their literary original, which is to say sometimes very good, sometimes less so. But what makes this series so special is the care with which it was done. The amount of research and dedication they have put into it. I have seen quite a lot of English historicals for TV so I generally did expect good quality. But this takes it to another level, and what's more, the quality is consistent over the span of more than a decade. I think it might have to do with a decision to favor quality over quantity, i.e. of putting out less episodes per season, instead focussing on each episode with care.
So, what's so special about it? The whole series has this elegant 30s look to it, a lot of Art Déco and High Modernism. This even goes so far that the makers of the series went out to find typical architecture of the time to use as setting. But it's not only the setting, the costumes and decorations were chosen with care too, as were the supporting actors. But, and this is important, it does not feel like a costume drama where everyone is put into a costume of the time period. The 1930s setting is done so well because you can see buildings, vehicles and decorations from other time periods as well, just like you would have done in the real England of the time. Also, some of the characters are dressed not to the high fashion of the time but in clothes that would have been less fashionable or even old fashioned at the time. This gives the whole series a more realistic feel to it and makes it the perfect backdrop to the 1930s showpieces, allowing to show the main character, Hercule Poirot as a very modern man in his time, just like he was described in the original.
David Suchet's depiction of this Hercule Poirot comes very close to the Hercule Poirot of my imagination. He manages to portray the Belgian's mannerism without ridiculing him and to make him a thouroughly sympathetic figure. Not an easy task when compared with other interpretations of the role of this famous detective on the screen. (Albert Finney in "Murder on the Orient Express" comes to my shuddering mind.) Also, the rest of the cast who have recurring roles in the series, were well selected for their roles. Which makes it a joy to watch.
All in all, I'm giving this series an A+ because it was so consistently well done and a pleasure to watch. Even recognizing buildings that have been used in previous episodes added a certain kind of charm and a lot of fun in trying to recollect in which episodes one has seen this before. For fans of Agatha and of cozy whodunnits, of which I am most certainly one, this is a must see. I myself am looking forward to season 12, one episode of which is the famous"Murder on the Orient Express", after being thouroughly disappointed by Sidney Lumet's 1974 version.

Tell me, have you seen it? How did you like it?


Happy December 18th!

is it saturday already?

Sorry, I didn't make it yesterday. And I can't even say that I was too busy yesterday. Well, I was busy, but not doing what I had originally planned to do. Instead of starting my christmas cleaning, finishing a post for the eufrika.org project, paying my bills and writing my fab friday review, I spent the morning at some government agency, went home to have lunch, then realized I was to have tea with a friend who was too sick to make it to my brithday party and since it was so nice talking with her I stayed longer than intended, so I had no time to get any of the things done I had planned on doing because I had to prepare dinner as we had invited our neighbor over.

I endeavor to be better today, even though I must admit the day didn't start out as intended either. I was so tired that I decided to sleep in and now it is already one p.m. after finishing brekfast, cleaning up the kitchen and writing down the shopping list. But I'll try. On my list today is: Making a plum pudding for our pre-christmas dinner tomorrow, getting started with the christmas cleaning, finishin the article and writing the fab friday review I was going to post yesterday. Hopefully, I'll post it today.

How are your days, now as christmas is getting closer? Are you busy with preparations and celebrations? Or are you enjoying the season quietly? Let me know, I'd love to hear from you.

Meanwhile, happy belated December 17th! And sorry for being late. That's why I have two calender doors to open now....

Adding my two cents on the Assange case

Okay, I know everybody is talking about it but that doesn't stop me from putting in my two-cents about the Julian Assange-rape-brouhaha.

As far as I can make out the details in the conflicting stories, Assange is accused of having unprotected sex with a woman even though she insisted on him wearing a condom. He is also accused of having had unprotected  sexual intercourse with a woman while she was asleep. In both cases the women had initially consented to sexual relations with Assange. In the definition of rape in Swedish law there is the possibility of a "withdrawal of consent". Now in my book when you consent to sex, clearly stating that you want the guy to wear a condom, and the guy does not and proceeds to have sex with you anyways, then you have not consented to that particular form of sex. Likewise, I do not think that you are consenting while you are asleep. 

Now, we don't know what exactly happened because as with most rape cases it's a case of he said/she said. BUT in view of the trauma and scorn a victim of sexual assault potentially faces, I have to take the allegations seriously. We all do. So it is right to question Assange on his behavior when someone raises an allegation such as this. And if there is a possibility that he has perpetrated any of the offences he should be tried before a court. 

If it turns out that the accusations were fabricated in order to neutralize the guy and his organization it would really damage my view on the Swedish Government, Interpol and whoever else is involved. That would be a slap into the face of every victim of sexual assault ever. With something that is as hard to prove as rape is and with a public that makes the testimony of rape victims an ordeal that can be as bad as the actual assault, in an environment in which many cases of sexual assaults are not reported because of fear of social repercussions, you just don't go and make up accusations like that out of political considerations. That would mean that the plight of women who have actually suffered such an assault mean nothing to their political representatives. Because knowingly weakening the standing of those of your citizens that are already vulnerable for political gain is despicable I hope that the accusations are not made up.

For me this has nothing to do with what Wikileaks stands for but with the creditability of our democracies. If there are indications that Julian Assange has committed sexual assault then he needs to be tried fairly. And if he is convicted in a fair and independent trial than he needs to be punished. It should be as simple as that. 

Of course the fact that Interpol was all over the case and put so much effort into apprehending an alleged rapist is new. One would hope that is their new modus operandi. But I fear it is not. (Alleged) Rapists are not usually high on their agenda, only if they happen to be a persona non grata with the high and mighty.

So, in a tip of the hat to the Swedish Rape Laws which I think are awesome (and apparently Sweden has a high rate of reported rapes not because so many more rapes happen there but women feel so much more secure to report on them) I'll give you Alexander Skarsgard. Twice. 

Happy December 16th.

WTF? The Tourist is a comedy?

I'm kinda confused. I looked at the Golden Globes nominations and "The Tourist" was nominated in the category Musical/Comedy (three times actually). I thought that it was a Thriller. I haven't actually watched it but I saw the trailer several times:



Maybe it's because I didn't find it funny. What do you think? Anyone with me on the impression that if the movie is meant as a comedy, the trailer is a big marketing fail? Anyways, even though Johnny doesn't really rock my boat looks-wise, I know a lot of you think he's hot.
Happy December 15th!

Tasteful Tuesday Review: Sherlock Holmes (2010)

I adore watching really bad movies. Movies that make you cringe with their bad-ness. And have you holding your belly because of their unintentional humor. Last Saturday I watched one of those movies. Oh, it was so terrible, it was awesome. It was one of those movies that makes me want to be a scriptwriter. I mean, it must be so much fun to come up with that s***.

Okay, here’s the plot:

England sometime in the 1880s: Robert Sherlock Holmes, yes, apparently his given name is Robert, didn’t you know? But well, nobody remembers a detective named Robert, hence he goes by his second name Sherlock ( I guess it’s different if you’re a pirate and you can give yourself an epiteth to go with your name, like the Dread Pirate Roberts). Anyways, Holmes is consulted on a case that is officially investigated by Inspector Lestrade (who apparently sells himself as some sort of popular hero claiming Holmes’ success in other cases as his own). The case concerns the mysterious demise of a ship that had sunk in the Channel and that was carrying Jamaica Gold from the colonies. The movie actually starts with a scene where the ship is attacked by a giant kraken (yepp, that’s right a kraken) and pulled into the depths of the Atlantic. When the lone survivor tells Holmes, Watson (big, bumbly but loyal of course) and Lestrade what has happened, his story is naturally considered a fantasm due to shock by the latter two. Holmes, of course shrouds himself in mystery as to his thoughts about it just dropping seemingly inconsequential tidbits here and there. After all this is Sherlock Holmes, THE Sherlock Holmes.

If you think a giant kraken is a bit out there, you’ll be in for a surprise. It gets even better. Soon after the kraken incident, there is another super-natural occurence. This time in London’s East End. A T-Rex is roaming the streets, adding some diversity to its diet by eating local prostitutes.  Holmes with his superior talents of deduction soon discovers that these incidents must be connected (who would have thunkit, not mere mortals like Watson and me, that’s for sure). After some dithering (uhm, I mean sleuthing) and of course more screen time for Rexy, the trail leads our two heroes to some castle somewhere in the countryside. The clue was some sort of pebble that Holmes found on one of Rexies victim’s. It turns out that there is only one castle in the whole of England (and maybe Scotland and Wales, too) that was built with those pebbles. Naturally. And Holmes knows that fact, because he spent his childhood right next to said castle (hint: THIS IS A MAJOR CLUE).

So, off to the castle we go. And break in. Because that’s what you’re supposed to do when you’re a super-detective investigating. Inside the castle they run straight into a trap (designed to show off Holmes’ superiority over Watson due to his cold, analytical mind), anyways, they (I mean Holmes) manage to find a way to get out of the trap, only to come face to face with the villain. Enter: Holmes’ brother. Uh-huh, you heard me, the villain is none other than Sherlock’s own brother. He’s called Thorpe, not Mycroft, but maybe he goes by his second name, too. Might be a family thing. Or there is another brother. Maybe Holmes Senior had a whole bagful. Who knows?

Turns out that Holmes II has been a cop (no they did not use that word, but they might as well have, given the rest of the movie) and what’s more he was the partner of Lestrade. Until the fateful day when he, in hot pursuit of some bankrobbers, was shot in the back. Supposedly by his own partner. This has left him paralyzed and bitter. But now he has found a way to get his mobility back with the help of a bizarre metal-suit (looks like a beta version of Iron Man) and Cortisone (Yepp. Cortisone. In  the 1880s)  So now he’s only bitter. Understandibly he wants to take that bitterness out on the world. Who wouldn’t? In addition to his Iron Man Wannabe suit he came up with this convoluted plan for revenge? punishment? to take over world power? Who cares! He and his female sidekick, a robot? witch? succubus? evil governess?, have a plan. One that includes a suicide bombing, a steampowered flying dragon and Inspector Lestrade as a scapegoat. And lots of fire, special effects and a hot air balloon (oh wait, that’s not part of the plan, that’s just lying around by coincident so that Holmes, Robert uh Sherlock that is, can go off in hot pursuit of the flying dragon).

Abso-fucking-lutely Awesome!

And who hasn’t been won over by this incredible script, that somehow makes me think that a thirteen-year-old has been on a Conan-Doyle-Reading-Rampage and is now confusing Sherlock Holmes with The Lost World, let me tell you there are more reasons to watch it:

The HAIR: truly awesomely terrible movie are often marked by bad hair, this one is no exception.

The Costumes: Only one word neccessary: Bowtie! As in Holmes is always wearing one!

The Language: „Watson, you are an a**hole!“

Steampunk! Whoah, one of the things I love about steampunk: it can be so cool when done well and it can be truly hilarious if not. I let you decide which category this one falls in.

So on my personal grading scale for horribly hilarious movies: A solid B+ (Oh, by the way, surprisingly the movie never made it to a theater but was released on Video)

 Happy December 14th! I have to say I'm a big fan of Sherlock, the real one :)

My friends are awesome...

they organized my birthday party, made all the food and gave me a LE CREUSET pot! All I had to do was show up. AWESOME!

only thing missing was this. Maybe next year? Any volunteers?

Happy December 13th!

I love trains

In a family of  speed afficionados it is sometimes hard to be a train enthusiast. The advantages of traveling slowly are completely lost on my kin who believe in the old adage that time is money. For them my preference for traveling by train is mysterious and inexplicable, my maintaining that it is not time lost but time gained goes completely over their heads. Well, yes, in quantity, taking the train often takes more time (the difference between a flight and a train ride from my home to my parents’ place is about 5 hours). But when it comes to the hassle and sideffects of taking the plane, the quality of that time is so much more in favor of the train.

Simply stated: I do not care for airports and passenger planes. If the alternative means taking a boat or serious detours I do take a plane. Same goes for considerable financial differences in ticket prices (it really sucks not being well off). But given the choice I’d probably opt for the train. Not at least out of environmental concerns.

There have been lots of things making me feel sorry for myself lately. Spending the main part of my birthday in a train is not one of them. It feels as if I have been given an unexpected birthday gift. The gift of time. Where else do I have time these days to just sit back, look out of the window and just think. Theoretically, I could do that at home too, but realistically, I almost never do. There is always something I could or should do. Actually, some of these things I do during a train ride like this, such as preparing this weeks lessons.  And even writing this blog post feels like I’m doing it with a lot more leisure than I would usually grant myself during a busy day. It is as if time itself slows down while rolling through the landscape (well, if you’re travelling with a high-speed train it’s more like rushing, but nevertheless). And while time slows down, so does the feeling of could and should. It’s more of a being allowed to. It might not be rational, but working on the train feels less like work. And the fact that the landscape outside is changing when you gaze out to think is a bonus.

Since the prerogative is more a could than should I’m also able to give myself permission to spend the time not working but playing. Therefore I can read a book without feeling guilty for wasting time. After all, I have been given this time on the train, I’m not taking it. This trip I managed to read the latest book of the Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs (review will follow sometime this or next month). It was so much more pleasurable to read it guiltfree than the two books before that, where I mostly felt that I should have spent the time getting more work done.

One of the dreams I would like to realize some time during my life is taking trips with famous trains, the Orient Express being one of them. While others may phantasize about cruising the seven seas on luxus liners (a thought that truly makes me shudder), I’m daydreaming of traveling on the TransSiberian Railway. To each their own, I suppose.

While speaking of wishful thinking. Here’s another thing that would make a lovely birthday gift for me some day: A naked butler! Marvelous, hmmmm?

Happy 12^th of December! Happy 3^rd Advent! And Happy Birthday to me!

I miss the sun...

and I love Cowboys!


So, enjoy!

Happy December 11th!

Fab Friday Review

Last week I went to see "The Kids Are All Right", and I have to say it was more than All Right. I thought it was fabulous. It was intelligently written, the acting was great, and it had the right balance between funny and serious for me. There are so many things I liked about the movie, I don't know, where to start. 

I was especially impressed by Mia Wasikowska, who played the daughter of Julianne Moore and Annette Bening. I'd say she's one of the up-and-coming young actresses to watch out for (she'll be Jane Eyre in the new movie coming out 2011). Vaccilating between defiance and vulnerability, her portrayal of an 18-year-old trying to assert her independence and still needing her family as a safe haven was very striking.

The movie itself was so refreshing because it did not try to force a message of equality and flout it's unconventionality and daring. Instead it is funny, sad, poignant, observant and realistic. It is about relationships, the strains of marriage, about love, hurt and betrayal, and how to deal with those and with each other in a relationship. Despite the title this is a film about and for grown-ups. It is a realistic protrayal of a relationship between a couple, who happen to be two gay women. The problems the two of them face in their marriage could happen to any couple, straight or gay. Thus the film was convential and unconvential at the same time. 

What made it stand out in my opinion is that there is no easy solution, that there is no good or bad, but instead shades of grey. That the characters were likeable even with their flaws, maybe because of them. It was realistic, because it showed that a relationship is hard work, and that you can end up hurting each other even though you love one another. That each family is unique but at the same time alike, trying to keep love and respect alive against the daily routine that threatens to swallow you up. 

Respect. That is one of the keywords of the movie. The respect, the members of that small family treated each other with, was really impressive. Not only the way both mothers treated their children, facing them as persons rather than subordinates. But also both protagonists, Julianne Moore and Annette Bening, were inspiring with their struggle to face each other with respect instead of succumbing into a downward spiral of accusations. By the way, both actresses were fabulous and I absolutely loved the fact, that they were not plastered with make-up to look as flawless as possible, but looked their age with every wrinkle and imperfection making them stunningly gorgeous. The way Bening's character deals with the betrayal of her partner reminded me very strongly of Emma Thompson in Love Actually. And not only because both are big Joni Mitchell fans. 

Paul Ruffalo as the carefree, sympathetic if somewhat unreliable biological father is also well worth seeing. His character is suddenly pulled out of his unconcerned and easy lifestyle by the sudden appearance of "his" two grown kids. Faced with his fatherhood, he starts to want the closeness the little family offers through making this "instant" family his own.

Everyone who hasn't seen the movie yet I highly recommend to do so.

If only to see him almost naked.

And those of you who have seen it, what do you think?

Happy December 10th.

Random Ramblings...

I have been in a  grouchy mood lately... things weren’t really going as I imagined them to go. Getting out there in the real world to look for a job after spending the last ten years safely ensconced in university is tough. Sometimes I think that spending all that time studying and pursuing more knowledge was an effective way for me not to have to deal with the world out there and sometimes I even think that maybe I should have stayed, adding another degree, going for the doctorate. But before those of you who’ve been wanting me  to do just that sit back and rub their hands in glee... I’m not there yet, and I’ll probably (maybe?) never will. No, I want to make it out there, find a job that really suits me and support myself. I just didn’t know it would be that darn difficult or that having to survive on welfare would be so humiliating. It pretty much sucks your soul out. And it makes me grouchy. Not being able to buy any christmas presents, not even being able to pay for the ticket to see my family, having to cut corners everywhere and still there’s nothing left, I tell you, it’s not easy. So I have been feeling sorry for myself, forgetting the many blessings in my life. Like my friends, without whose support I probably would be even more frustrated. And lonely. And who are scrambling just to make my birthday party happen, because I won't be able to do anything but show up for it since I'll be spending the whole day stuck in a train (that will hopefully not be an hour late like the one I'm sitting in right now).

So, all of you who have been suffering from my bitching and moaning lately, I'm sorry. And I know very well what I have in you!

Happy 9th of December! This pic always makes me feel better :)

Oh dear, I'm an expert

Another installment of WTF Wednesday. This time on a personal note: 

Due to circumstance I cannot quite explain, I have apparently become a so-called expert on the last election in Tanzania, resulting in me having to give a talk in front of students, members of the staff of the Africa Department and who knows who else... WTF?!?

And yes, I do suffer from stage fright. So, even though I know you're only here to view the naked guys, supportive comments are appreciated!

Please, excuse me now, I have to go to search for some chocolate to calm my nerves!

Dear Mailman, I forgive you!

Now that I  have finally gotten my chocolates and can spend the rest of the week in chocolate induced bliss...

Happy December 7th!

The mailman has stolen my St. Nikolaus gift....

And I am seriously miffed about that. No chocolate for St. Nikolaus for me... and no Advent Calendar ... an no cookies from my mother.... So unfair!

The internet tracking site says that allegedly two tries were made to deliver the package on Wednesday. Even though I was home all day! No mailman ever rang my doorbell. After that there is silence on the whereabouts of my package. A phone call to DHL only resulted in "We're sorry we cannot locate the package in question. Try your local post office." Where I went today. After standing in line for twenty minutes, the only thing I got was: "We're sorry. You're package is not here. Maybe you can ask your neighbors if they took it in." There are 25 apartments in my house, so now I'm supposed to ask all of them if they have seen my package? Seriously?! Oh well! I also asked if my parents as the senders can launch an official search request. Yes, they may, BUT only in 4 weeks. By that time my cookies will be stale....or eaten by the delivery man... MEH!!!

So, no St. Nikolaus for me ... especially not one who looks like this!

Happy St. Nikolaus everyone!

hmmm, yummy, Sunday!

Sunday is almost over and whooohooo what a busy Sunday. I finished up with my handycraft project from yesterday: baking my saltdough (playdough?) figurines and painting them.

                                          I would say not bad for a creatively challenged person.....

I made a Gratin Dauphinois and a mâche salad with oranges for dinner and a pumpkin-creamcheese bread for dessert.

Before:

and after:

And I started to plan a concept for a project with the Ethnological Museum with two friends (who by the way really appreciated the dinner). Now I'm tired and ready for bed and it's not even 9.30pm (well it might have to do with the three glasses of wine I had).

But before I go to bed, I'll think a bit about how much I love a guy who knows his way around in a kitchen...

Happy 5th of December!

Christmas is coming...

Looking out of my windows above the roofs of Berlin all I can see are snow covered roofs, stark trees and steam rising from chimneys. The sun, which has come out this afternoon, is slowly setting and the sky is this perfect icy winter blue tinged with orange and purple. It's the kind of sky where we said the angels are baking cookies as a child. It's beautiful. Perfect start for a weekend filled with making christmas decorations, cooking and starting to make christmas gifts....

Happy Saturday!

Getting warm...

It's Friday and it's getting warmer (-5 C/ 23 F). But it still is cold enough for keeping the heating on. Which sometimes is easier said than done. Our radiatiors need to be vented about four times a week or they won't get warm. Which involved a trip to the shop today because I broke the little thingummy that you need to let the air out. Not cool, uh warm....


At least I had a scarf to keep me warm ;)

Happy Friday!

Let it snow, let it snow...

It's cold here in Berlin ( -8° C/ 18°F) and it's snowing, we have almost 4 inches now. Which is pretty crazy for it being only early December. I remember when I was  growing up, more often than not the first snow only came in January. This really has been a wild year weatherwise. It started with weeks of freezing cold and no sun. Seriously, 17 days without sun, that's rough. An incredibly wet and cool spring followed by a baking hot summer with temperatures well into the 100s. Thankfully, I got to spend that part of summer in Mississppi where it was cooler. Yep, that's right Mississppi in early summer was cooler than Berlin. And now we have one of the coldest starts into December ever.  It does not bode well for the rest of the winter. 

Whether this is a sign of climate change I don't know, I'm not a climate scientist. But I tell you, it sure feels strange. I for one believe that climate change is a reality and that the extreme weather we have been experiencing in the last years is a symptom (and yes I know weather is not climate). So on the (very plausible) chance that Climate Change is happening, I believe that it is time for all of us to face our responsibility and look at what we can do, to make things better. 

I am not saying we should turn off the heating and freeze, or anything radical like that. I believe it's the little things we can change and when thousands of people change their habits a step at a time it can have a huge impact. Maybe you could get around to put all your electronic gadgets on power strips that you can turn off, so you won't waste all that energy in stand-by, or you can turn down that thermostat a couple of degrees or you can use public transport instead of a car. I'm also a huge fan of buying local and reducing by reusing... there are a million little things you can do, and you don't have to do them all at once. Remember: a step at a time...

So, with all that snow,  here's what I wish was in my Advent Calendar!

Baby, it's cold outside..

It's December already, wow time flies...

So in the good old tradition of German Adventcalendars where you open a little door every day till christmas, I'm giving you a link to open every day till christmas.

A link to what? Man candy, of course! What else?


Happy First of December!

Really, Cafepress, really?!?

I have just become aware via it's facebook fanpage that this year's calendar by Adipositivity has been pulled by cafepress from it's online store.

Here's some background: The Adipositivity Project is a site that wants to promote size acceptance through a display of (IMHO absolutely stunning and beautiful) pictures of fat people. The photographer behind the pictures is Substantia Jones and her gorgeous and stunning photos have gained her and her site quite a following (just check out her facebook fanpage). 

Here's her Mission Statement:

"The Adipositivity Project aims to promote size acceptance, not by listing the merits of big people, or detailing examples of excellence (these things are easily seen all around us), but rather, through a visual display of fat physicality. The sort that's normally unseen.

The hope is to widen definitions of physical beauty. Literally.

The photographs here are close details of the fat female form, without the inclusion of faces. One reason for this is to coax observers into imagining they're looking at the fat women in their own lives, ideally then accepting them as having aesthetic appeal which, for better or worse, often translates into more complete forms of acceptance.

The women you see in these images are educators, executives, mothers, musicians, professionals, performers, artists, activists, clerks, and writers. They are perhaps even the women you've clucked at on the subway, rolled your eyes at in the market, or joked about with your friends.

This is what they look like with their clothes off.

Some are showing you their bodies proudly. Others timidly. And some quite reluctantly. But they all share a determination in altering commonly accepted notions of a narrow and specific beauty ideal." (source)

In order to spread fat acceptance further and because those pictures are just effing great there is a calendar that comes out every year. And it's sold via Cafepress or rather not.

Here's what cafepress had to say about the removal:

"We recently learned that your CafePress.com account contains material which may not be in compliance with our policies. Specifically, we prohibit the display or sale of products which may be sexually suggestive or contain explicit sexual content (including full body nudity and genitalia)." (as posted on the Adipositivity facebook fanpage )

 Sexually suggestive? My a...! Take a look at the offending pics. But even if someone thought that the mere presence of nipples and poons is sexually suggestive to him/her (and from my view that says a lot more about his/her sexuality than the content of the pics...) but even so, take a look what other calenders cafepress sells, which apparently do not fall under the sexually suggestive rule! 

Yeah, you got that right! A woman in a flimsy bikini, kneeling on the floor with the bikini bottoms around her ankles is absofuckinglutely not sexually suggestive!! That's right! It's WTF Wednesday!!

Wanna do something about it??? Send an email to info@cafepress.com  and tell them you'll not buy anything from their site anymore if they don't get a grip on their standards. I will! Oh, and if you want to spread the fat acceptance further, share the news about The Adipositivity Project! 

Happy Wednesday!

the story of man candy monday

If you've been reading more than one post of my  blog you will probably know that my tastes are somewhat ecclectic. And that I lurrrrrrve Romance. And that I frequent some strange places in the internet. One thing I love about the world wide web, it lets me boldly go where likeminded freaks have gone before me. 

 It was not long before I began cruising the sites of Romancelandia and specifically those devoted to its subgenre erotic romance that I happened upon the institute of "man candy monday". Needless to say being a heterosexual woman with a deep appreciation for the male form I took an instant liking to the concept. The gals from (the now defunct) Erotica Cover Watch who first introduced me to the art of man candy monday started the the tradition of posting a sexy picture of men every monday on their blog because they were fed up with a reality in which the covers of erotica for women usually featured a picture of a woman in variuos states of dress and/or "sexy" postures but no men...

Yep, that's right. The books were specifically written for (heterosexual) women. Yet, when it came to the cover what did we see? A (half)naked woman! I mean come on, while I have no problem with naked women, that's not what I'm looking for when I get my dose of smut...After all, if I wanted to see one, I can just look into the mirror, ya know...or into any fashion mag for that matter. Apparently a lot of publishers had decided that a picture of a naked woman was more pleasing to the eye than that of a naked man. Really! I mean puh-lease...what's not to like about a nice studmuffin without his clothes...Really!

So, in order to prove them wrong the man candy monday was born. There are other sites posting pictures of man/eye candy quite regularly, proving the idea that women don't find a picture of a naked man pleasing ad absurdum. Now, some time and loads of nekkid guys later...publishers have apparently got it and men have made quite an appearance on the covers of women's erotica. Yay! But no reason to stop such an honored tradition, is it now?

So, here's what you've been waiting for. This time even a video. Yay!

And if you're looking for an appropriate birthday gift for me. Well I've always been partial to a gift that supports charity. (Yes, I know I'm sooooo selfless)

Thoughtful Thursday: Feminist or not?

I have both been accused of being a Feminist and not being one. Both were not meant as a compliment. Those who called me Feminist and meant it to be a put down, considered Feminism to be outdated at best and harmful at worst. Those who considered me not to be a Feminist thought my passion for romance to be some sort of betrayal to the Feminist cause. I call myself a Feminist. Proudly so. A Feminist who reads romance and considers that genre to be Feminist, too. (Another subject for yet another post, but if you want to dive into the depths of what romance is, I can point you to the book "Beyond heaving bosoms"). 

Sadly, a lot of people seem to think that Feminism has outlived itself and is no longer necessary. There seems to be some sort of unspoken consensus among quite a few women (mind you, you don't have to be a woman to be a Feminist) that Feminism had been a necessary phase to achieve what we have today but that we do not need it any longer or even that it is something negative in this day and age. While I agree that we have achieved a lot in our fight for Equality and that we have generations of Feminists before us to thank for that, and while I also think that there is a negative side to some Feminists (be they of my generation or before that) and I do not necessarily agree with them, I also happen to believe that Feminism today is as relevant and important as it has always been.

Of course if you mainly define Feminism as being against something, i.e. patriarchal structures, oppression and so on, than you might argue that, as we overcome those things, Feminism becomes obsolete. (Even so, I don't think we have overcome those things by a long shot yet). But in my definition Feminism is not purely being against something. That is easy. Everybody can be against something. No, the hard part is being for something. That's were commitment is needed. A commitment to Equality, to wanting to be seen and treated on eye-level and a commitment to include all genders into Feminism and not advance one gender at the exclusion of another. Not an easy task but a  rewarding one I believe. And necessary, especially in this day and age.

Happy Thoughtful Thursday.

WTF Wednesday: Hysteria, doctors and vibrators....

Apparently there is a new film with one of my all-time favorite actresses, Maggie Gyllenhaal,  in the making: Hysteria. It's a "romantic comedy about the invention of the vibrator". WTF?! Must-see-that-movie! And not only because the divine Maggie is in it (I absolutely adored her in "Secretary", such a lovely film). And Rupert Everett. And Hugh Dancy. 

As an avid reader of Victorian and other historical smut (one day I'll get my little hands on a copy of "The Lustful Turk") the whole concept of vibrators being invented as "medical" instruments isn't really new to me. And of course having friends who write extensive papers on female sexuality in the Victorian era (and proof-reading said papers) significantly expanded my horizon on such matters. And there people say my tastes in reading do not benefit my education. Oh, the things I know....  (thank you D., for my extensive education on venereal diseases....)

For all of you who didn't know, vibrators were invented in the late 19th century to help doctors treating a female "ailment" called hysteria, which would nowadays just be called what it is: sexual frustration. But since women weren't allowed to have sexual desire in those days, symptoms of such could only be  seen as an abberation that must be treated. Hence those noble doctors devoted a lot of time in helping these poor women by manually giving them "hysterical paroxisms" in order to relieve the symptoms. Apparently a lot of business was generated that way for doctors (of course mostly for women who could afford it (or rather their husbands)). And a tedious work it must have been, I mean, gee, the treatment was so frequent and must have bored doctors so much that they invented fricking machines to do the "work" for them! (I guess we can call them sexworkers, now that I actually find hilarious. And ironic.)    

Well, while the comedy sure isn't hard to find in the subject (doctors massaging female patients' genitalia until the achieve "hysterical paroxisms" i.e. orgasms, well, yeah, I can see how that can be hilarious)...I'm still glad I'm not living in those times. Imagine everytime your magic hoo-hoo gets tingly your hubby sends you to a doctor...  

No, I'm glad that I am living in times in which sexual frustration isn't called hysteria (literally "illness of the womb") and in which relief doesn't have to be sought in the form of a medical treatment. I'm sure glad that when the need arises I don't have to get a doctor's appointment...

Anyway, I'm sure looking forward to the movie (it's supposedly coming out sometime in 2011), hopefully it'll be funny but not tasteless.  

Meh...Monday: Another month gone...

Whew, this has been a busy week. Last Tuesday I was offered to teach a class at University, basically starting as soon as the administration gives the green light. Which means I've been scrambling to find a subject, put a curriculum together and find reading material. Meanwhile, I'm still churning out applications. Because teaching a course at University might sound all posh and all, and it might improve my standing and give me street cred, but it is abominably paid. Really. I wouldn't be able to live a month off the money they'll give me for the whole semester. It's a joke. Thank goodness I enjoy teaching so much. Otherwise it would be quite depressing.

This week, no this month, just flew by. It's kinda weird, but being essentially jobless, I'm busier than ever, or so it feels like. There seem to be new opportunities around every corner I turn. Makes me quite optimistic, that among these opportunities there will be a real job soon. It's a very exciting time. And scary. And exhilerating. And frustrating. But mostly exciting.

On the homefront I managed to hang a new rail and curtains in front of our drafty french doors in the living room. Not overly pretty but hopefully they keep the cold out. My next project is to renovate my old doll house to give to my niece for her birthday. I'll document it with pictures and post them when I'm done.

On sunday I cooked Szegedinger Goulash with bread dumplings. No pics though, my camera ran out of batteries. The Goulash turned out great, the bread dumplings weren't bad as a first try, but definetely can use some work. Here's a picture, I used a different recipe though, with beef instead of pork, and white instead of red wine, and I added tomato puree for color. It was very yummy.

So, enough ramblings for today. Happy November! And enjoy your monday eye candy.

Thoughtful Thursday: Dating

I have been using Internet dating sites on and off for a while now. Aside from the creeps that you'll probably find anywhere anyhow, they are actually fun. At the least you'll meet interesting people and if you're lucky (and believe me finding a partner is mostly based on luck whether you use the internet or not) you'll find your soulmate. I actually know a couple of people who have found their special someone that way. Anyway, I figure that way I'll at least get someone who'll go to a museum or on a sunday walk through the park with me. 

So, lately I have been thinking about how men and women interact on these dating sites. Actually, the thoughts were triggered by a remark my friend D. made the other day. She somewhat offhandedly was talking about how it was the man's job to approach you. As a female all you had to do was put your profile online and wait ("Come into my parlour," said the spider to the fly...) and to be honest that's what I do. Because it works. And because it's very convenient for me. All I have to do is read the messages from men who are interested in me, based on my profile infos, and decide whether or not I want to answer. I do look at the profiles of men online but I have so far never approached one by writing him a message. Most women I know who have been using Internet dating sites do it like that, too.
After realizing this I sat back and wondered why that is. And then I remembered something I've read on figleaf's blog (in case you wondered, yes, I'm a big fan ;-) ). He calls it the two rules of desire:

1. It is simultaneously inconceivable and intolerable for a woman to have sexual desire.
2. It is simultaneously inconceivable and intolerable for a man to be sexually desired.   (he said it here)

I think these two rules pretty much describe the underlying reasons why I (and apparently a lot of other women, too) approach (Internet) dating so passively. I feel uncomfortable approaching a man online (and offline for that matter) because I fear being seen as too pushy or needy or aggressive. And because  I have this vague notion that in order to attract a man I have to let him be the pursuer. That I will appear less interesting  if I'm too "easy" to obtain.  It's kind of as if I'm the prize in the game that we're playing and the more effort he has to put into obtaining the prize the more valuable the prize will be. And if the prize just falls into his hands (i.e. me approaching him) it's not so desirable.

Sarah on Feministe put it this way:

"One of the things that bothers me especially is the “He’s just not that into you” framing for women, particularly heterosexual women: we are supposed to worry about whether we are desirable, not what we want. The “No means no” model works the same way: we are consenting to something, not desiring it. The “she wanted it” rape excuse: our wants are not our own to define." (find the whole text here) 

In another post on her personal blog she puts it in a wider perspective:

"Sexual desire isn’t the only thing that women have been limited on. We’re expected to be restrained about food, about power, about love, about friendships, about everything. Even I worry constantly that I’ve crossed a line, that I’m bothering someone if I call too much or email too much, and I think that stems from the same place: feeling that I’ve made the fact that I want something too clear, too obvious." (the whole post is here)

 I have pretty much managed to overcome my conditioning on being restrained when it comes to food. I eat what I like, when I like it and how much I like. I'm can even (most of the time) ignore the appalled, indignant, abusive etc. reactions my love for food (and my more-than-mainstream figure) sometimes engenders. So maybe it is time that I overcome some of my other restraints. Maybe it is time for me to approach men instead of waiting to be approached. We'll see.

Have a happy and thoughtful Thursday.

Tasteful Tuesday

Men's clothes are sold much more easily than woman's clothes. That's my conclusion after spending Sunday trying to sell my stuff at the fleamarket. 

We (that's my flatmate and friend D. and I) had a bunch of stuff, mostly clothes, that we wanted to give into the loving care of new owners ("getting rid of" sounds way to harsh in my opinion), so we teamed up with our friends R. and T. and rented a stall at the monthly fleamarket here in Neukölln. Our success at selling was mixed. After deducting the costs of the stall and the car we rented to get the stuff there, D. and I made a profit of 8€. R. and T. made much, much more. And that's where we get to my initial statement: While D. and I had only women's clothes to sell (not surprising with both of us being female), T. and R. sold a lot more because (being a heterosexual couple) they were selling both male and female clothes (and mostly sold the guys stuff). I think that's because women are pickier than men and women's fashion changes a lot more than men's fashion. 

My dilemma is that I can really understand those women who rejected my clothes, even though they were really cheap. I mean, part of the reason why I have so much stuff to sell is that I'm prone to make those spontaneous purchases, you know the one's where you think: "Heck, why not, after all it's really cheap" even though you don't really need it and/or you're not sure about the color and/or fit. On the other hand, some of the stuff I'm selling is stuff I really like. The only reason I'm giving it away is because it does not fit (usually belonging into the category of purchases under the headline "One day I'll fit into it".  Or not.) Rejection of these things really hurts. Really. 

Another thing I noticed, is that it is mostly thin women who stop and look at the things. The sturdier ones, the ones that actually fit into my clothes mostly did not. I'm wondering if that is because they expect not to find anything anyways? Could be. After all why should shopping for clothes at a fleamarket be less frustrating than shopping at a store. From time to time when another girl with a wonderfully curvy body like mine passed the stall I had the urge to shout: "Come here, you beautiful plump goddess. I have clothes that'll fit!" I did not. Possibly because while being comfortable within my own body, I'm still not always comfortable drawing attention to it and can vividly remember the times when I would be mortally embarrassed if someone mentioned my not-so-mainstream figure.
My résumé of the day is, that while it was great fun (the weather was gorgeous, watching the people canvassing the stands is fun in itself and I'm proud to say that I managed to drive the transporter without incident) it's unlikely that I'll repeat the experience in the near future. What is left of my clothes (about 3/4 of what I originally put aside to sell) will be taken to a clothes swap party with friends in 2 weeks and what is left after that I'll take to the clothes drive of our church.
Happy Tuesday!

Scrumptious Sunday: Deliciousness Past

I was busy today. Too busy to bake or cook. My flatmate D and I had a stall at the Nowkoelln Flowmarket to sell our stuff (more on that tomorrow).
But to keep your tastebuds tingling I have some pictures of Sunday Deliciousness Past:

Cheesecake!

Happy Sunday!

Fab Friday

It's finally Friday. Time for my Fab Four. This time it's four videos I recently saw on youtube that I found fabulous:

In view of my debate on equality:

Thoughtful Thursday: to be equal or not to be equal? that is the question...

My friend Ableponder yesterday posted a link to this interesting article. It's an article about the reality of French women who while having a lot of public help in the form of childcare, pre-natal care and tax breaks for families but still earn less than men, have to shoulder the far bigger part of domestic work and whose chances for advancement into the higher echelons of public service or a career are still far below those of her male partners. After reading it I thought the article was well put together but nothing new. By far more ineresting was what my friend made of it:

"Not unsympathetic-- what mama would be? But as an econ major, one thing strikes me... if you have two workers, one of whom is going to take several years off from work, miss more days, etc, you are likely going to protect yourself against the anticipated costs by paying her less." (she said it here)

The thing that strikes me as interesting is that her reaction to the article is so different from mine. My first thought was: What a crying shame! After these many years of laboring for equality we're still restricted by our wombs.
The status quo as described in the article bothers me on several accounts:

1. While on a cursory glance one might think that through free childcare and other (monetary) benefits French mothers have more choices when it comes to motherhood and/or a career. But on a closer look it seems to me the opposite is true. There seems to be more pressure on women to be "productive" in the workplace as well as in the breeding process. Women who try to elude this mandate by either deiciding not to have children or by deciding not to enter a "paid" job in favor of taking care of their children apparently face great social pressure if not ostracism.
2. Earning 26% less than a man in the same job is not fair. No matter how you turn it. First of all, this applies to all women, regardless of their choice whether to have children or not. Basing the reality of less earnings on the abstract possibility that a woman may or may not have children is not equality. Second, it is not a woman's fault that she is the one who has a womb and not her male partner. Human reproduction is beyond our control in that matter, so a couple's choice (there are always two involved in this, you know) should not impact either one's wages just because they cannot choose which one of them is going to give birth. Of course once the child is born and the initial phase of necessary care by the mother is over, men could (and in some cases do) take over the task of caring for their offspring, But the fact that so few do, has in my opinion a lot to do with the fact, that the man is way more likely to have the higher income and therefore it makes (financially) more sense for him to be the provider instead of the caregiver. (and of course the fact that our society is still not mature enough to look upon a father who chooses to stay home with respect, he instead generally faces a lot of ridicule)
3. (Unpaid) Domestic work is work, too. There are studies estimating the value of this unpaid domestic work and it is a significant amount of a country's GOP. The fact the most of that work is still provided by women, and that they get neither recognition nor benefits for their work is quite frankly sad. 

So, what conclusion do I draw from this? I think this is not so much an economic problem but a social one (but then again I'm not an economics major but a humanities one). As long as we still consider women as the primary caregivers, as long as we do not recognize domestic work as valuable and as long as we do not give fathers an equal opportunity at caregiving we will be in this quandary. I think women should have the choice whether or not to become mothers (and by the by I think it is perfectly legitimate to decide to remain childfree, IMO it does not decrease your womanhood or make you less grown-up and whatever rubbish I've heard spouted on that subject). And their coice should be free from social and financial pressure. Likewise should be the choice on whether or not you choose to work or stay at home (and do your work there). And if you choose to stay home it should be free of pressure which partner chooses to do so.

I found an interesting take on this on figleaf's blog:

"The best thing from my perspective would be that since women who have children still spend some time out of the workforce (in my experience three months for the rarely mentioned “fourth trimester” isn’t unreasonable) and therefore put some fraction of their earnings potential on hold (at least till we get solid progressive family leave policies) then it makes sense that women ought to at least start out with higher incomes. (It makes sense that their partners would also support that.)
The advantages are considerable: there’s be no particular intra-family earnings imbalance due to children, there’s be no strong incentive for the partner who stayed at home with the first child to stay at home with the next, etc. And if the family did decide to go the “traditional” avenue where the woman stays home with succeeding children she’d still have an easier path towards reaching income parity when she chooses to return to the workforce.
Yeah, it doesn’t have to be that way As we see in parts of Scandinavia for instance a really strong public/private/family network can be pretty powerful. But at least for now it is that way. And so a trend towards women earning more, at least initially, at least in theory, ought to support more egalitarian — and therefore stronger — long-term relationships." (he said it here)

Hmmm,  giving women higher earnings to start with so that they can buffer those times when their earnings will be less due to maternity...maybe not a bad idea.

As an aside: So French women now produce more kids than German women do. Is there any point in it now? Or do they realize that somehow the basis for this race has shifted? Just curious.

One more thing, does anyone other than me find it disturbing that the reason French women get so much Pre-Natal care is to be attractive to men again and to reproduce? And not because of their health?


Happy Thursday and hopefully this will be seen as some food for thought. As usual, let me know, what you're thinking.

WTF Wednesday: Worldwide decline in violence?

I have recently read an interview with an American psychologist who claims that we are living in the least violent times in human history (and I've mentioned it on eufrika.org*). WTF? Really? Can this be true? I knew about statistics in Europe and the US that state violence there is at its alltime low. But worldwide? How come this is so hard to believe for me. After all, I readily accept that it is true for Europe and America. Why can it not be true for the rest of the world, too, when I so readily believe it for its "Western" part. Is it because the news are full of violence? But then again, they are full of violence happening all over the world. Still, when it comes to reports of violence here in Europe and even in the States I know that I should take it all with a grain of salt, that after all violence sells more papers (and ads) than "good" news do. That, while every instance of violence is tragic and disturbing in and by itself, I still know that relatively viewed these are instances and in no way a general trend. That I am living in a generally peaceful and safe environment. That there is no need for me to go to any extra length to protect me from a perceived threat (the everyday common protection of a single woman aside, but that is subject for another post).
But when it comes to Africa, for example, the declaration that today there is less violence then say 50 years ago or even a decade ago, makes me stumble. ( I chose Africa as my example because a) I am an African Studies minor and being interested in everything that has to do with that continent, I follow the news about it more closely than those about other parts of the world and b) frankly, that's what we all do, isn't it? Equating Africa with violence, at least partly.) So, am I guilty of falling into the same trap that I so valiantly try to avoid, believing in a stereotypical view that I've been trying to dispel for years? If so, well let it serve as a reminder to me, that I cannot sit back and pat myself on the shoulder for being oh so open minded. That it is necessary to every once in a while to take stock of one's beliefs and perception and to ask oneself, is this still true and/or was it ever true. And sometimes this can reveal quite startling things about yourself.
And while I am adjusting my perceptions, it is always good to ask myself, what does this mean to me now. In the instance of the fact, that life in Africa is less violent than it has ever been, what consequences does this have for my perception (and that of other people) of Africa? Does it take away from the horror that war wrecks on the human beings involved in it? Does it diminish the fact that there are heinous violent acts perpetrated on human beings (and not only in Africa)? Does it change my conviction that, as human beings, these acts of violence concern us all? That we all need to offer our help and compassion whenever and however we can? No, of course not.
What this does, is that it changes my perception of myself. That I need to look into myself and ask myself why I so readily accept the belief that life in Africa is necessarily more violent and that violence there has not diminished as it has in other places. And to wonder if this is not based on a lack of respect and a manifestation of the patronizing view on Africa that I have on occasion lamented in others. Let this serve as a lesson for me, that we are all not free from prejudice and in order to achieve true equality for all human beings we need to confront our own prejudices first and foremost.
As always, I'd love to hear what you think!

*Sorry guys it's in German, but those of you who are capable to read German, you're welcome to read my articles and notices I post there (as usual comments are also more than welcome!!!!!).

Meh...Monday: Golden October

The weather forecast was wrong. Instead of dissolving in the early afternoon and making way for sunshine, this morning's fog turned into grey skies and a dismal, cold and dank day. Meh! 


This morning, when I first woke up, the sun was slowly being replaced by this fall's first fog. The world was covered in rising ghostlike vapors, the Fernsehturm (television tower) slowly disappeared from view, sounds were muted, the street below suddenly turned into a gothic wonderland. It could have been everywhere. The Streets of Victorian London with Jack the Ripper lurking just around the corner? Or the canals of Venezia with gondolas soundlessly gliding along?
The possibilities are endless. Now that they have been replaced by dismal reality I can only wait and see what tomorrow morning brings, always hoping that the new day will bring new, exciting possibilities.


In the meantime, enjoy the view from my window on our street on Sunday's beautiful golden october day.

and again for those of you (girls) who need a more inspiring vie on mondays: Look here.


Happy Monday!

Succulent Sunday

Sundays are always too short. This might be due to the fact that I don't start the day before 10.30 a.m. when we are having our customary sunday brunch with fresh croissants and soft pretzels. Which customarily also lasts till round about 12.30 p.m. It might also be due to the fact that my Sunday usually ends with watching the Tatort at 8.15 p.m.(for my non German audience an explanation for this very German habit can be found here).
The roughly seven and a half hours in between where spend today with reading the Sunday paper (an interview with Jon Hamm - mmmmmhhhh), an hourlong phone conversation, doing a load of laundry (including putting it up for line-drying), making some yummy Yorkshire Teacakes, taking them to a friend's place for 5 o'clock tea and upon my return at seven preparing potatoe pancakes for dinner. All in all, a regular Sunday for me.

Here's the recipe for the Yorkshire Teacakes:

What you need is 1/2 cube of fresh yeast, about 1/2 pint of tepid milk, 1 lb flour, 1 tsp salt, 2 oz butter, 1-2 oz sugar, 4 oz dreis cranberries (the original recipe called for currants but I didn't have any at hand) and 2 oz of lemon peel (usually I would prefer freshly grated peel, but I couldn't find any organic lemons, so I had to make due with the pre-packaged stuff)



Can you find which three ingredients are missing from the picture?

While I heated the milk a little in the microwave I put the flour and salt in a large bowl and rubbed the butter in.


Then I added the sugar, cranberries and lemon peel.


Meanwhile the milk was tepid and I mixed some of it with the yeast to form a creamy liquid.

I then poured the yeast cream and some milk into a little well I had made into the centre of the flour mix.



All this I kneaded until the dough was soft but not sticky (add flour or milk as needed). It was then put on a flat surface and kneaded until elastic.

I wrapped the dough ball in a damp cloth and placed it into the warm oven for about 30 min. until it had doubled its size. After that I formed eight pieces from it which I placed on a baking sheet.


Bake for about twenty min. at 200° C/400° F and voilá:


The Teacakes are especially good while still warm with some butter.

Happy Sunday!