Mr. Urs

"Let's go to Bethlehem"

2011-12-07T01:04:00.006+01:00

Yes, this year, Toño got us a shepherd for our Nativity scene. It's the one carrying the lamb:

Read more about the Nativity scene tradition at our residence.

Cookie Bitching 2011

2011-12-04T19:00:00.002+01:00

Yes, I've baked the exact same cookies as I always do. Plenty of them :)

Wir sind dann mal weg...

2011-10-15T18:03:00.002+02:00

I'm about to leave the office... finally holidays :) We'll be in Berlin, where we plan to meet Martin on Monday for a Potsdam tour.

Sonntag

2011-08-21T14:29:00.003+02:00

Marting does it all the time, so for once I may do so as well... this was this Sunday's lunch:

Later, when the champagne has worn off, one might find us at the lido Mythenquai, before we'll had to see Race Horse Company's Petit Mal at the Theater Spektakel:

Das Auto

2011-08-13T14:07:00.002+02:00

Toño just bought a car. It's a Polo Comfortline 1.4 L, 4 cylinder petrol, 85 PS, 7-speed DSG

Raw Passion!

2011-05-29T13:24:00.003+02:00

I would never have thought that a book I bought based on a review in The Economist would be a page turner bursting with passion, like it happened with It’s All About the Bike: The Pursuit of Happiness on Two Wheels by Robert Penn.

And as nice side effect, I learned a lot about my favourite ride, like how it was invented and the side effects of this process on economy and society. Robert Penn is a great storyteller. Lance Armstrong was so wrong with the title of his book.

Summer mood has arrived...

2011-05-21T11:01:00.001+02:00

... because I got the matching t-shirt for my summer book :)

5 on the Fifth - Blur

2011-04-05T01:05:00.000+02:00

This month's 5 on the fifth theme is Blur. Here some blurry stuff I encountered here in México:

A fish in a shopping centre.

An artist's paint mixing board.

A frock, my niece did not want to wear (I can't blame her).

Death can cause a blur of tears.

Anything but blurry: Pacifico Clara.

Sobre El Jorullo

2011-03-29T20:47:00.002+02:00

Close to La Huacana is México's second youngest volcano of named El Jorullo. Although only a half an hour drive away, Toño and his sister have never been there.

El Jorullo was born on September 29, 1759, and had been active for 15 years. It a cinder cone volcano, which lies in a remote yet beautiful landscape. The drive goes through groves of elegant palmas real, the local variant of sabal mexicana. The farmers only harvest the top to leaves to make hats and brooms.

The head of the local environment protection agency was so kind to give us a tour. It is a half an hour hike to the crater, but the view up there is worth every step.

Our guide refused to take any money for his services, he just asked us, to promote a trip to the volcano. Hence, by writing this, I'm paying of our debt.

Location:18°58′19″N 101°43′05″W

The place where I cut both my feet and still have to be grateful for

2011-03-28T05:03:00.001+02:00

Under this romantic chute Toño learned to swim (Toño is the one embarking on a dive):

Sadly, littering is an issue all over the globe and so it happened that I cut both my feet with broken beer bottles in this water right below the same chute today.

However, if Toño had not been pushed into the water here by an uncle, who happens to be the closest in that picture, and thus learned to swim we might never had met at the the pool in Zürich.

Location:La Huacana, Mexico

Dealing with Cutlery or the Lack Thereof

2011-03-28T01:06:00.002+02:00

I am not talking about the basic differences of dealing with cutlery by Americans and Europeans. Others wrote about that conclusively (read about). I am talking about my intercultural competence being constantly challenged by the lack of basic cutlery here in México. At home in cosily boring Switzerland my cutlery concerns are being restricted to occasionally having to eat with a knife, of which the handle is not hollow (and thus not well balanced). Here in México I'm hardly given the opportunity of a knife at all. If so, I'm not even expecting a sharpened one anymore. What one can expect is a spoon or a fork at best. If you address this subject with Mexicans they point out that the tortilla acts as spoon in their culture. Fair enough, but I still find it rather challenging to eat bone-rich meat with just a fragile plastic spoon and a floppy tortilla.

Location:Morelos Sur,La Huacana,Mexico

Piñata

2011-03-27T06:14:00.001+02:00

Our children's birthdays in Switzerland are lacking some serious entertainment. Unlike in México, we do them without a piñata getting some serious beating.

The piñata is filled with candies, fruits and nuts. It's an entertaining way to make children work for their incentives.

Location:La Huacana,Mexico

Vida Rural

2011-03-26T22:09:00.001+01:00

We had to get up early to see Toño's uncle Arturo milk his cows and to have a look at his maguey plantation.

It looks a bit like Japanese Kinbaku, but it keeps the cow calm and allows milking without a big installation on the field.

Sadly the prices for agave are rock bottom, and there is no point in harvesting them (to make tequila). In one or two years, the plants will blossom. This will be the grace period for the prices to recover, or a big investment will go down the drain.

It was hot out there in the country side, I continuously showered in my own sweat.

Location:Morelos Sur,La Huacana,Mexico

Agua Caliente

2011-03-25T22:23:00.002+01:00

It is hot in La Huacana (above 40°C/100°F). However, there are three places to get water on your body:
* the river (more like a creek at this time of year)
* Las Albercas with tiny pools in the town
* Acua Caliente, the thermal springs outside the town

We went for the latter, because it's best option if you want to swim instead of just splashing around.

It's Mexican pesos, not gringo dollars.

Location: 18°51'7" N, 101°47'42" W

Pollo al Cuñete

2011-03-25T06:48:00.001+01:00

We've reached La Huacana, where we can enjoy the fine cooking by Toño's sister Chilo. The first lunch she served us today was Pollo al Cuñete with pineapple, almonds and dried plums.

Start with a chopped pineapple, dried plums, a bit of water and a bit of white balsamic vinegar. Blend the mixture and pass through a sieve. Fry the chopped chicken in olive oil complemented with a bit of butter. Season every piece with salt and pepper while frying and add some pressed garlic after turning them over. Put the chicken pieces with the sauce in a casserole, add some plums, peeled almonds, a couple of chilli jalapeño, some sugar, peppercorns, marjoram and bay leafs. Put the casserole with a lid on into the oven for 1 hours and 20 minutes at 200C/390F. Remove the lid after 50 minutes.

Yes, I did ask for a second servings.

PS: If you have no peeled almonds, put the unpeeled ones in boiling water. The skin should go off in no time.

Location:Morelos Norte,La Huacana,Mexico

Absent with Leave

2011-03-19T05:54:00.001+01:00

We are embarking to Mexico for almost 3 weeks for visiting Toño's family. We in this case is with my sister Marlene and my niece Susanne. 3 family intense weeks this will be... ¡Hasta luego en México!

Buff Urs

2011-03-15T22:57:00.002+01:00

I don't know if the strength workouts finally stared to show some effects, but this Monday while drying off my back at the gym, I tore apart my towel...

It was my favourite towel, because, as old towel do, it absorbed pretty well. I got it in 1983 for my confirmation. So it might had been a tiny bit threadbare...

5 on the Fifth - Lines

2011-03-05T01:00:00.001+01:00

This month's 5 on the fifth theme is Lines.

I spent this week on business in Bangalore, India. The days were long and on the premises, taking pictures is prohibited. Thus, the lines pictures here were taken in-between on travel and commute.

Toy planes are lining up for taking off in Swiss' Senator Lounge at Zürich last Sunday... and yes, this is another of my fingers :/

Even double centre line of roads show little effect on drivers in India. The only way to break their dynamic interpretation is going into the third dimension with bricks and mortar.

Many moons ago at university, I learned to dimension power lines.

Our hotel was built in the 80s of the last century. The Art Déco touch of its lobby is rather fake.

Loads of silver garnished sweets are lined up nicely for me to bring home to my loved ones.

Saturday Fruits

2011-02-19T13:55:00.002+01:00

Fight the Tyrans! Arm the People!?!

2011-02-07T14:41:00.006+01:00

Switzerland has the highest number of arms per capita, with estimates varying between 1.2 million and 2.3 million, spread over a population of 7.8 million. However on February 13, we are called to a nationwide ballot to decide whether access to firearms has to be restricted.

Emotions are going high in our small country. Even my CEO (a German!) wrote me a letter to remind me of my patriotic duty to defend our national identity, which seemed to be based on the easy access to firearms.

Strangely, it took an extract from a novel published in 1860 to shaken my firm aye stand towards this initiative. Master tailor Hediger said in Gottfried Keller's novel Das Fähnlein der sieben Aufrechten:

The idea of founding a Swiss marksmen club could only evolve in a Swiss soul and take root only in Swiss territory. For who was born into a monarchy, the very idea of a club, which includes and arms all the people, must had been madness.

Me supporting monarchy? Never!! Nay it is!!!

Me defending our precious soil back in 1987.

5 on the Fifth - Reflections

2011-02-05T07:29:00.005+01:00

This month's 5 on the fifth theme is Reflections, though we can also take 5 random pictures. I mixed a bit... while being in Kiev... in grainy black and white.

I spent this week on business in Kiev, the capital of the Ukraine. Adapting is essential when doing business. Thus a mirror shot with my mink ushanka.

Taken in the room, where most of the discussions were held. Carefree plants on windowsills are very popular. And I like the artificial frost pattern on the glass.

The Statues of Princess Olha, Apostle Andriy, St. Cyrill and St. Methodius; and some girls, posing for their friends.

Under the shower in my room at the Intercontinental Kiev. A hotel I can't praise enough. I like it there.

Vodka, unavoidable when doing business here.

恭禧發財

2011-02-03T00:01:00.000+01:00

Sonntag

2011-01-30T14:35:00.001+01:00

For once I can report a Martin like Sunday lunch:

We are at my sister's enjoying a veal hock, from a calf born and bred on my brother's farm. A real family affair.

Toño, my sister, my niece and I will be travelling to México in March and met to discus the details of the upcoming trip.

Location:Im Sedel,,Switzerland

Saturday Flower - Midwinter Edition

2011-01-29T19:29:00.002+01:00

This is a Helleborus niger, commonly also called Christmas rose. It's actually blossoming on our balcony. Strangely it's blossoming in winter and enjoys temperatures around the freezing point. I have no idea how propagation works for them at this temperature.

We bought three of them last year, when I took the picture I use on my blog banner. As this picture shows, they made it through summer. Though, we had to put it in the shade.

The In-N-Out Experience

2011-01-05T22:58:00.003+01:00

Our last meal in California was at In-N-Out Burger at LAX Airport. In-N-Out has been recommended to me only minutes after we passed immigration and it has been many times again during out stay. Have you eaten already at In-N-Out? was a common phrase. Such highly praised things should not be missed and so we squeezed in this visit. I don't know if it was because of us or or the burgers... we were a group of 11 who showed up together.

The menu is pretty simple: burgers, fries and beverages. the burgers come in three different basic types (hamburger, cheeseburger, double cheeseburger) with a few options. That's it and it tastes delicious - not only for a fast food place. The fries are made fresh by hand at the shop and for the patties, the family owned company has got their own butchery. No microwave, no heat lamp, and no freezer compromise the taste. I loved it.

5 on the Fifth - Fun and Games

2011-01-05T00:05:00.000+01:00

This month's 5 on the fifth theme is Fun and Games.

.
Gisel and Nallely are dancing into 2011

Eduardito driving a 1965 Ford Mustang

Stuck till grabbed for two quarters in a Denny's

Eduarditos games

Jacqueline enjoying a Coca Cola.

Farewell to America

2011-01-03T23:44:00.001+01:00

We are heading home soon. Between us and the airport is only a visit at In-N-Out, who's burgers had been recommended to us during this visit many times.

For the flight back we upgraded to business :) See you tomorrow evening in Zürich... and hopefully soon back in California :)

Location:S Grand Ave,Los Angeles,United States

Fixies FTW!

2011-01-03T23:24:00.001+01:00

Fixes (or fixed-gear or fixed-wheel bicycles) are extremely popular here in South Central Los Angeles. According to Toño's primo Héctor, they have replaced skateboards as the main aid to attract girls.

A Fixie is a bicycle that has no freewheel, meaning it cannot coast. It's pedals are always in motion when the bicycle is moving. Due to the few parts required they usually look much more elegant than a coasting bicycle.

Sadly, if you are caught riding a bicycle without two independent brakes in Switzerland you are facing an initial fine of at least 258 Swiss francs plus about 300 Swiss francs for the paperwork. The fine doubles the second time (source: Tages Anzeiger, 27.10.2009)

Location:W Slauson Ave,Los Angeles,United States

Between the Festivities

2011-01-01T06:23:00.001+01:00

For the days between Christmas and New Year we travelled to Las Vegas...

.... to meet Toño's cousin Sonia.

We were a party of 11, fitting more or less into a couple of hotel rooms. I was a tiny bit crowded...

Toño managed to turn 20$ I gave him into more than 1000$ at the slot machine :) though he did not manage to stop right there :( well, there is some left.

We also paid the new resort The Cosmopolitan and the flash City Center luxury shopping center a visit. I loved it and somehow managed not to flash my credit card. Eg, this is a part of the 3 story bar Chandelier:

Location:Las Vegas

Back to Normal

2010-12-27T21:54:00.001+01:00

The festivities went well and I ate more beef tongue than so far in my life up to December 24, 2010.

Later today we'll be heading to Las Vegas to meet the. Daughter if Toño's late godmother.

Location:W 57th St,Los Angeles,United States

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T00:00:00.000+01:00

Preparing for the Festivities

2010-12-24T04:47:00.001+01:00

The day was mainly dedicated to preparing for the festivities - that is, we drove to numerous Mexican tiendas to get ingredients for tamales and ponche. For the latter, a fruit named tejocote was needed, which was difficult to get for a reasonable price. They also bought a box of tongues. I have no idea what they will make with them. However, I haven't seen as many piñatas in my entire life as today. The ceilings of all shops were covered with them.

But now, we are relaxing by enjoying margaritas :)

Location:W 58th St,Los Angeles,United States

A Warm Welcome with Frijolitos, Carne de Res y una Cervezita

2010-12-23T16:40:00.001+01:00

Although in coach, the flight to Los Ángeles was uneventful, which is always good. Though, Toño was a bit peeved, because the maître de cabin dropped by to greet me personally and let me choose my lunch before they started serving to ensure I get the choice. These perks were not granted to Toño. Being a frequent flyer is not always easy, but I reckon we got the exit row seats with more legroom thanks to my seniority.

At LAX we had to wait an entire hour on the tarmac. BA was blocking our gate. They were probably not keen at all to return to snow messy Heathrow.

Immigration was then a bit of an ordeal as well, Toño's Swiss passport is without biometric features and he had to use his Mexican, for which has a visa. This cause some intense scrutiny. An upgraded passport is definitely on the to-do-list.

The welcome by Toño's relatives was then more to my liking. They served us frijoles, carne de res and cerveza :)

We are staying with Toño's aunty Chica, her husband Héctor, and their teenage sons Héctor and Alfonso in a nice house in south central Los Ángeles. Aunty Chica is actually younger than Toño. Three siblings of Toño's father live here nearby. For Christmas, siblings of Toño's mother will come from Palms Springs. It will be huge :)

Location:W 51st St,Los Angeles,United States

Heading for a Navidad Americana

2010-12-22T11:48:00.001+01:00

We are heading to Los Angeles to celebrate Christmas and New Year with Toño's relatives. There are many of them. I've counted presents for 10 families.

However between us and Los Angeles are 13 hours of *cough* coach *cough* :/ well, at least we can prepare ourselves for this in the lounge.

Location:Gates,Kloten,Switzerland

Big Chill

2010-12-07T17:32:00.005+01:00

I'm on business in India and it's unusually chilly here. Today, the Bangalore edition of the Times of India featured the headline Big chill leaves Bangalore shivering on the front page. Today's high temperature forecast was 21.3°C. I'm starving for sympathy here.

5 on the fifth - Faces

2010-12-05T01:01:00.001+01:00

This month's 5 on the fifth theme is Faces.

Since we are in the middle of Advent season, I took portraits of the figurines in our nativity scene.

Cookies Delivered

2010-12-01T22:05:00.001+01:00

I was a good boy today, travelled through the heaping snow and brought my mother the Christmas cookies. She was already worried and thought with me having to travel to India this weekend, there will be no time for the cookies. She's relieved now.

Cookie Bitching 2010

2010-11-30T11:42:00.005+01:00

Yes Michelle, I'm on it, that is Christmas baking is already done.

There will be a trip to India next week and we will embark to Los Angeles on December 22 to celebrate Christmas and New Year with Toño's relatives. So I was forced to begin early in Advent with the traditional Christmas baking. And yes, I baked exactly the same as last year.

This at the bottom is pear bread and I usually make that in November as soon as the dried figs from İzmir are available. But was a bit late this year so I got a combined baking frenzy.

Wish You a Happy and Peaceful Advent Season!

2010-11-28T17:06:00.004+01:00

There Is a Butcher Deep Down Inside Me

2010-11-25T22:44:00.002+01:00

Since the best part of making hamburgers is operating the mincer.

Paupiettes in Autumn

2010-11-23T23:04:00.002+01:00

I haven't bored you with a recipe in a while, so I do it again. This time it's for chestnut stuffed paupiettes with mashed pumpkin and potatoes on the side.

I asked my butcher to cut me some thin slices of beef and Toño brought me some roasted chestnuts he got from a street vendor. The slices of beef we smeared with mustard, added a slice of ham, thinly sliced leek and onions, topped it with rough crumbs of chestnut, and seasoned with salt and pepper. Seas Everything was rolled to nice paupiettes.

The paupiettes were briefly fried and then removed, the remains in the pan were used to make the sauce with flour, white wine, beef stock, thyme and rosemary. When the sauce was boiling, the paupiettes and the remaining stuffing was added again and braised for 50 minutes.

For the mashed potatoes, we replaced a third of the mass by pumpkins, which we processed together with the potatoes.

5 on the fifth - Recycled

2010-11-05T00:01:00.001+01:00

This month's 5 on the fifth theme is Recycled.

I did a cheap one by just snapping what was being recycled this week.

Glass bottles To be disposed at the glass bottle banks in public places; sorted by colours; blue and red glass in green glass bottle bank; picture glass, window glass, crystal glass, safety glass, mirrors have to be brought to the recycling yards

Garden refuse collection In green containers or in handy bundles before 7 a.m. on the curb; weekly pickups for subscribers from March to December;

Paper collection Every fortnight bundled and tied before 7 a.m. on the curb; no collection boxes or paper bags!

PET bottles To be disposed at the 5000 PET bottle banks in the shops; squeeze the air out of the bottle to reduce space and put lid on; bottles for oil, vinegar, sauces, detergent and beauty products are not to be recycled

5 on the fifth pictures Change every 2 seconds

Stylish Carry-on Shorthauler?

2010-10-24T13:42:00.007+02:00

Frequent business trips are part of my work life. For short-haul overnight stays, the aim is to avoid check-in luggage at all costs.

Surprisingly, I find it rather difficult to find the right choice of luggage that allows to do this with style. Most business travellers do this by choosing one of these small trolleys sized 55x40x20 cm, but honestly, they look just silly, especially when being towed by a fully-fledged man. But what is the alternative?

Knowing the requirements is essential in my job. So I try to make a list of what I want:

no wheels
big enough to hold everything I need, but small enough so I never have to check it in.
easy to handle at airport security
keeping my computer scratch- & shock-free
space for some files and newspapers
space for briefs, socks and dress shirts for next day's meeting
space for essential toiletries
space for the travel book
strap for shoulder on the airport "workout" routes
made of light-weight durable material, ruggedized enough to survive more than a couple of years of travel
last but not least: it has to cause envy of my taste.

But now, where is my carry-on shorthauler?

Trapped Organically

2010-10-24T13:14:00.005+02:00

Switzerland is bipolar when it comes to grocery supermarkets. The big two Migros and Coop share about 80% of the market*. I'm a Migros shopper by choice. Coop's shops are just a tiny bit too clean for my liking (I don't like to shop in hospitals) and it is difficult there not to buy organic products (I usually go for Integrated production).

However, Migros is catching up on the organic front. Though while Coop sticks to the copper-wool-bast-tree-hugging-taliban kind, Migros goes for the European-Union-style-lowest-common-denominator kind of organic production.

Migros did this catching up by putting an identical design in earthy colours on all their organic products. Apparently it worked admirably well on my subconscious. Our fridge is stocked up with organic Migros yoghurt that cost at least 33% more than the ordinary ones with the juicy fruits print on them. And honestly, I can't detect a difference in taste. Why do I buy them?

* both Migros and Coop are customer owned co-operatives.

Swiss Army Rediscoveres 400 Tanks

2010-10-23T00:34:00.003+02:00

During my military service I spent a lot of time in fortresses deep in the Swiss mountains. In one of them, I took me 20 minutes to get from my berth to daylight.

Apparently mountain fortresses are not an appropriate mean to defend Switzerland any more and the Swiss army has to get rid of them. Right now, the inspectors of the ministry of defence are reviewing budget and inventory. In this process they rediscovered 400 tanks which had been stored in one of these fortresses.

The inspectors also discovered that a foreign consultant company has been hired to accompany the implementation of the security policy report. The minister of defence has been cited: "When I'd learned about this, I almost bit into the tabletop of my desk".

Source: Tages Anzeiger

Cristal

2010-10-16T23:13:00.007+02:00

A few weeks ago, we could celebrate Toño's birthday. And since Toño has a penchant for both wine and presents, I bought him a bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal 2002.

Cristal has become infamous for being the American rappers favourite bubbles, but little is known by most of its consumers about the rather modern way it was created:

Cristal was first created in 1876 for Alexander II of Russia, and is viewed by many as the first prestige cuvée. As the political situation in Russia at the time of his rule was unstable, the tsar feared assassination. He ordered that bottles containing the drink be made clear to prohibit hiding a bomb within them, as could happen with a typical dark green bottle. Louis Roederer commissioned a Flemish glassmaker to create a Champagne bottle with a flat bottom. Typically, bottles made from common glass have a bell-shaped bottom (the punt) to make them strong enough to cope with Champagne's pressure. A flat-bottomed bottle needed to be made from stronger, clear lead crystal. The Champagne has since become known as "Cristal".

The orange cellophane wrapper is there to protect the exclusive champagne from the bad effects of UV rays. By the way, lead containing crystal class should not be put into the glass recycling bin.

Among many other things, Toño was also given a magnum bottle of Château Cheval Blanc 1998. We are equipped to party really big :)

Une soupière et un légumier

2010-10-13T23:09:00.003+02:00

It might be because of Martin's Sunday lunch pictures, however we are now proud owners of a légumier (left) and a soupière (right):

Toño, the man with the refined taste, bought them. It would have been nice to have them as a matching set from the same line of china, but this seemed impossible. It might be that people lost the sense for fine dining and/or service à la russe is out of fashion... in short, these things are hard to get.

5 on the fifth - Round

2010-10-05T22:20:00.002+02:00

This month's 5 on the fifth theme is Round.

On my way to work I cycle through the Oerliker Park, which features a 35 m high round tower:

Twelve years ago this was an industrial area and the tower should keep up the memory of the funnels that used to blacken the sky here. I though for 5 on the fifth I could - despite my fear of heights - climb the tower and take a round of pictures.

North

East

South

West

Hotel Treats

2010-09-20T09:18:00.005+02:00

It's getting boring, I'm again in India. Nevertheless, the trip was nice (complimentary upgrade to 1st class), and there are 3 things in the hotel room I really liked:

A teddy bear on the bed.

A possibility to plug my music into the room's entertaining system.

A bum gun.

However, the exuberance was soon checked when I logged on to the interweb and heard disburbing news about Lunty by Nic (more about). I'm quite worried about Llunty.

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Toño!

2010-09-17T09:44:00.003+02:00

Always a day after México's, we can celebrate Toño's birthday. But unlike México, which celebrated its bicentennial day of independence, Toño has got to celebrate a prime number birthday.

When I consider every thing that grows
Holds in perfection but a little moment,
That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows
Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;
When I perceive that men as plants increase,
Cheered and cheque'd even by the self-same sky,
Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,
And wear their brave state out of memory;
Then the conceit of this inconstant stay
Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,
Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay,
To change your day of youth to sullied night;
And all in war with Time for love of you,
As he takes from you, I engraft you new.
–- Sonnet 15 by William Shakespeare

5 on the fifth - The Blues

2010-09-05T17:11:00.005+02:00

This month's 5 on the fifth theme is The Blues. Well, I've got a well balanced sunny disposition, if I'm not exposed to panpipes. However there were two things this weekend that caused a bit of a blues.

1. Toño is on a business trip

Normally I'm the one who away on business, but with autumn coming up, the wine fairs start as well and they are often on weekends. I had an alumni reunion and cartloads of works, so I did not join him there.

Thus I had a lonely bus ride at 2am*;

had to sleep alone in our bed;

had nobody to talk about weird real estate billboards;

and had nobody who was dabbing the sweat from my temples at the gym.

2. The End of rundfunk.fm for 2010

rundfunk.fm is an amazing club DJ backed radio station that enchants Zürich for a month a year. This month is over now.

*though I was listening to Eeel's Tomorrow Morning

RENNEN

2010-08-31T23:21:00.000+02:00

This year we managed only to see one show at Zürich's Theater Spektakel. It was Rennen by Belgian youth theatre project Kopergietery.

I wanted to go to three dance performances but only started to buy tickets two days into the pre-sale, which was far too late. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the one show very much.

The Hawtest King

2010-08-23T19:58:00.007+02:00

As every decent human being, I try to buck the trend when ever possible. I really do. But this Sunday at 5pm all defences caved in when I switched to the Schlussgang (last round) of the Eidgenössische where 20-year-old Wenger Kilian won the Schwingen tournament unconquered. As a result, he was declared King of Schwingen (Schwingerkönig)

Schwingen, the very traditional way of wrestling here in Switzerland, seems to have become the latest trend. City slicker who used to go to tango classes when they were not sipping mojitos are now apparently practising Schwingen.

Well, and now I got caught as well. Today when I went groceries shopping I grabbed a copy of Schweizer Illustrierte featuring our new king.

A week ago I had to preferred death to having seen a copy of it on our coffee table. But they've got this 15 page special about our new hawt king. Sorry, I just could not resist.

5 on the fifth - On The Road

2010-08-05T09:12:00.008+02:00

This month's 5 on the fifth theme is On The Road. Well, I was on the road only 5 minutes so far, here is what I saw:

My town bike is equipped with a Chinese bicycle bell of the brand Five Rams. It's essentially two bells in one and I'm heard when using it.

The advantage of a push bike is that you can use a wide variety of roads and alleys.

There are obstacles though,

and you're given a lot of instructions.

Finally entering my caring employer's premises, and yes, I don't trust my colleagues.

I took the picture with the Hipstamatic iPhone application, which makes pictures in a vintage look with various lens and film combinations. When one shakes the iPhone, the combination is selected randomly. Since I was holding the iPhone in my hand while riding, shaking could not be avoided. Thus the different looks of the pictures.

easyWine

2010-07-21T23:21:00.006+02:00

We just spent a marvellous weekend in London and two follow up days in Brighton, where we saw the fabulous Pet Shop Boys* in the charming company of Borstal Boy.

Since Gatwick is in the middle of London and Brighton we choose easyJet as our carrier. Of course Toño could not resist to taste their selection of red wines:

Easy going with nice acidity and fruitiness. The nose holds a fine
note of plastic and dark berries. The palate is dominated by
blackberries.

* yes, the same show we saw a year ago on a bit too tiny stage in Zürich (read about)

On Knives ....

2010-07-16T16:03:00.003+02:00

From a letter by Michelle:

Dear Urs

As you probably already know, Michelle is not up with technology, even with Twittering and Tumblring...

Just read your Tumblr bit on knives - my bestest suggestion is choose knives based on your hand size.

My hands a really small - like Elton John, one of my hands cannot span a full octave on piano keyboard (my only bit of Elton John Trivia - now you know why he didn't pursue becoming a concert pianist).

My knife advice to anyone is - please choose knives based first of all on your actual hand size and your own current hand flexibility. I can chop and onion onto very fine pieces with a chef's knife, but can do so far better, more efficiently and much more safely with my own sized knives. I keep them well sharpened and have taught myself good and safe knife skills, but not as the so called "great chefs" do

I heart Metal Boxes

2010-07-09T07:56:00.003+02:00

I have this thing for metal boxes. Like I almost always carry a small metal box with some vital stationary equipment like pens, pencils, crayons, sharpener, eraser an a small ruler:

Thus I was even more exited when I saw the latest complimentary amenity kit by Lufthansa:

TGIF in Bangalore

2010-07-09T07:31:00.004+02:00

I'm spending this week in Bangalore on a business trip. These week long meetings are extremely tiring (much more than one would think) and boring (exactly as one would think). It's monsoon here too, which completes the picture.

Though tonight, I'll be flying back home and tomorrow after lunch, I'll be back with Toño.

Dem Ingeniör ist nichts zu schwör*

2010-07-05T10:01:00.004+02:00

Switzerland is lacking teachers and production seems far from able to satisfy demand. 6 Cantons (states) are introducing a new scheme allowing lateral entrants to become teachers. Training takes 9 to 18 months (unpaid). The details of the concept are supposed to be released this autumn and production should start in a year. They are especially looking for engineers. I might be a bit too old though.

Nevertheless, I think I have to keep an eye on this. I'm a bit bored of the engineering trade and could use a fresh start. Why not working on the future of our society?

* A pun in German which translates to "nothing is too difficult for an engineer". The line was put in the mouth of Gyro Gearloose by his brilliant German interpreter Erika Fuchs.

5 on the fifth - this past weekend

2010-07-05T08:20:00.005+02:00

One of this month's 5 on the fifth themes is this past weekend. Well, this past weekend I could enjoy a wide range of wine and wine like beverages:

Ferratus 2005 Ribera del Duero
Pommery Brut Royal
Peter Lehmann Layers 2009
Château Mouton-Rothschild 2002
Dolská medovina hořká mandlová
Vin confit, Schlossgut Bachtobel
Riesling "Rote Erde" Weingut Schauß 2008
Monte da Cal Reserva, Alentejo 2006
Château du Retout 2006
Graham's Port

Of course, of all these, the Château Mouton-Rothschild was the most exceptional experience. Also, because I could enjoy it in very charming company.

The one in bold, I put in my 5 on the fifth for July 2010:

Reclaiming the Purpose to Live

2010-07-02T21:21:00.006+02:00

I was rather down, grumpy and moody the last couple of months. I'm awfully sorry for this. However, today there was this current streaming through my body when I opened the post. Kylie's brand spanking new album Aphrodite is here.

It's almost weird yet totally flabbergasting how something like this can change your mood by 180°. Kylie saved me again :)

Underground

2010-07-02T00:47:00.003+02:00

This week, I went underground with some mates from work to see the newest train tunnel being built underneath Zürich.

We entered the tunnel through a big hole.

The rear end of the front of the drilling machine. It is currently in "wet mode" drilling through gravel surrounded by groundwater. This picture is taken underneath Niederdorf.

The rear end of the drilling machine.

The patroness of the tunneller happens to be also the one of my business.

New Banner - New Design

2010-06-14T22:19:00.002+02:00

I was in the mood to change things slightly on my blog and because I did not come up with revolutionary new content, I modified the design. The banner turned out to be a bit constructivist.

5 on the fifth - Looking Up

2010-06-05T12:56:00.005+02:00

This month's 5 on the fifth theme is Looking Up. I did not walk far, since there are already plenty of flowers on our balcony looking up to the spring sun.

There Is No Meat In This Hamburger

2010-05-26T20:47:00.003+02:00

I'm far from in the flow, especially work-wise. I mean I'm not at all in the state where I'm fully immersed and focused on my tasks and projects.

We are facing another reorganisation. It's the forth affecting me directly in 4½ years (if I counted correctly). Each had as the side-effect that it got more difficult for me to perform my tasks - that is, the organisation got more complex, I had more interfaces to deal with and landed between more millstones. Yes, if you can do it more complex, my caring employer does it.

Rumours had been floating around for a while. Finally last week I've been informed officially that there is another round due in a month. Our team will be dispersed to four different departments. We are still supposed to work together in the project but four more line managers will have the chance to play silly games with us. In our organisation, line managers are far more powerful than project managers. In addition, the processes will be more complex, more people will be involved, which increases costs and decreases productivity. A certain portion of my salary is profit and performance based, thus this reorganisation will have direct negative consequences on my salary.

In this mess, I'm offered a position with an impressive and flashy title, however, I do not see that this position comes with the competences needed to do the job, or in other words, there is no meat in this hamburger.

There are nice projects on the horizon, but right now it's just digging at the coal face. Is it time for a transition?

Pentecost Gave Sun a Chance

2010-05-24T19:27:00.004+02:00

The last about four weeks have been a complete disaster. It was far too cold and far too wet. But finally for Pentecost, the weather changed its mind and gave sun a chance.

We used this opportunity to complete the plant scheme for this summer. Only the chilli plants are missing. They will follow next week. Then we are ready.

Saturday Flowers

2010-05-22T19:34:00.001+02:00

Saturday Flowers

2010-05-15T18:06:00.001+02:00

A Medinilla from the Philippines

Saturday Flowers

2010-05-08T11:59:00.002+02:00

I already took a picture of a wet flower in the morning while getting some croissants for breakfast, but then suddenly, after 8 long days of rain, the sun came out :)

5 on the fifth - A Journey

2010-05-05T08:44:00.003+02:00

This month's 5 on the fifth theme is a journey. For once I did not cycle to work but decided to make a bit of a journey out of it by walking. Though, I did not overstretch myself, it's only 2 km. Here is what I saw:

Everlasting roadworks and of course it's the pedestrians who are diverted.

This dog poo disposal box is called Robidog. We Swiss are very proud of things like this.

A typical traffic sign contradiction. when the red light at the gate is blinking, one is supposed to wait, however this is prohibited by the "no waiting" sign. Which one outranks the other?

A towery errection in the Ash Tree park. I only made once on the top of it.

A cubic structure in the same park. I have no clue whatsoever what it's for.

Wtf?

2010-05-04T23:14:00.004+02:00

It might be just utter carelessness, however this week the brass of my caring employer's engineering department went one step too far. An engineer showed up in my office and demanded to be told about the project I'm working on since the beginning of this year and I'm supposed to work on for about the next 5 years. I'm the engineering project manager and also responsible for the systems engineering. It turned out that bloke was told that he has the same role and he should inform himself. Screw-ups like that don't just happen, do they?

Toño called it an early night and left me sufficient wine to get into a good mood. So here is a picture from 1993 when I was in a seriously good mood:

I dare to cite an older post of mine:

# On Kamchatka, I was told that the flight back was postponed by a week due to lack of fuel.

# I then bought some smoked salmon and drunk a bottle of vodka, which the salesman offered because he never had a Swiss customer before. There is photographic evidence that I then tried to teach my dead and already smoked fish to smoke a cigarette (not that I remember this).

# Thanks to bribery, we got a flight three days later.

# The first money given was rejected because the dollar bills were not clean and new enough.

# At the bottom of the stairs to the plane we had a fistfight, because we bribed more than others and were given access first. The ones who bribed less did not liked this. There were no boarding cards.

Saturday Flowers

2010-05-01T19:28:00.000+02:00

Workers' Day Music

2010-05-01T13:00:00.004+02:00

It is a rainy day, I'm doing the most boring stuff (editing photo libraries) and always when I'm doing boring stuff, my mind starts to wander. Today, my mental stroll took me to the time when I was 18, when I went so see a concert by Propaganda, only because the warm-up was Mittageisen with their amazing track Automaten:

Evening - unrest in the streets - today there was much to do
Work - only for machines

In the noise of the streets - the silent majority is waiting at the terminus
Work - only for machines

Oblivion - balanced on TV - ignorance is spreading
Work - only for machines

New ideas used without thought - history is still being made
Work - only for machines

Life - in challenging times - orders is dissolving
Work - only for machines

Torn phrases by new masters - strange voices in my ear
Work - only for machines

New sounds - a smile from opposite illuminates the darkness
Work - only for machines

Kisses in the rain - no time to wait - we are going our path
Work - only for machines

Noah's Tulips

2010-04-29T18:04:00.003+02:00

On Monday, I came to the conclusion that my office needs to be gayed up seriously. Thus I bought a bunch of flowers and placed them on my desk.

It took me over a day to realise that there are always two tulips of the same kind in it. I still do ask myself what this might mean.

Heavenly Temptation

2010-04-28T22:13:00.002+02:00

No, this picture was not taken in our cellar, we can't afford to be label drinkers. I took the picture in our hotel in Mexico City. It had an excellent collection of fine labels. The bottles of Château Pétrus here range somewhere between $700 and $4000, depending on the vintage. Do the maths.

Pimp My Balcony

2010-04-28T04:25:00.004+02:00

I finally made it back from India on Friday. Lufthansa's booking system was a tiny bit overstretched with the situation and indicated my booking often as cancelled (though not always), however, everything went just fine.

Thus I could enjoy an almost summer like weekend, however, our balcony was far from ready for summer.

I like to store certain things on the balcony of our residence. We haven't got a cubby, so there is no alternative place for gardening tools, bike maintenance tools and garbage to for recycling.

The problem is, that there are hardly any durable outdoor storage furniture available. As a (too long term) intermediate solution I once bought these really cheap plastic chest of drawers, which really have fallen into ruin.

After a long quest and over-stretching Toño's patience, I finally came across Container DS, which were designed by Kuno Nüssli for MAGAZIN®.

This sideboard system is inspired by oversea freight containers and thus is made of durable metal. It is not an outdoor furniture but it should be fit for the task.

We spent all Saturday cleaning the balcony, getting rid of waste, re-potting plants and potting new herbs. Now summer may come :)

Saturday Flowers

2010-04-24T09:12:00.001+02:00

on the balcony of our residence

Hiding from the Icelandic Volcano Attacks

2010-04-19T11:24:00.000+02:00

Maybe you occasionally watch telly and heard about the volcano with the name nobody dares to say. And maybe you saw pictures of people stranded at airports, without being given any assistance, having no hope and even less money left. Or you saw people trying alternative means of transport, like using taxis, swimming the English channel, or using cannons.

Well that is not the entire truth. There are others who yield up to their fate, although they are deriously longing for being hugged by Toño and they might miss Tigresa's party this weekend. That does not mean that I've checked other options, like freighters (25 days to Hamburg) and overland routes, however, I've decided to sit things out, like with this breakfast:

I admit, being in a five star hotel with my caring employer's credit card does help.

For now, I'm on Thursday's & Friday's waiting lists and have a confirmed flight on Saturday, provided the airspace between India and Germany is reopened till Wednesday morning. Qui vivra verra...

Yield to Pedestrians?

2010-04-17T17:21:00.002+02:00

Traffic in India is really soemthing. We usually feel quite comfortable on the back seat of the car - i.e. nobody wants to sit next to the driver. However, being a pedestrian in this traffic is a completely different chapter. This traffic sign clearly shows how it works:

Nevertheless there is also beauty in these streets. Like I quite like how these trees cover the street.

Did you notice the brick-built median strip? It is the only measure that works to enforce some lane discipline. And it also helps crossing the street as a pedestrian.

I've posted this before, but bring it again to show what amazing things can happen in the Indian traffic:

Well... Buzz Words

2010-04-17T15:46:00.006+02:00

My mission here in India is accomplished and I could fly back if there were not this disruptions in Europe's airspace.

Since I've booked via my caring employer's travel agent HRG, I'm supposed to reschedule my flight also via them. Of course, I did not manage to get through to them. On their brochure, there are all those nice buzz words, which so not withstand this stress test:

We care about you ... smart travelling with HRG ... our employees are always within easy reach ... let us deal with it for you ... smart travelling ... as a good partner we are with you all the way ... our 24-hours service is at your full disposal throughout the world, 365 days a year ... no worries ... we cover all eventualities.

Nevertheless, I tried to celebrate a bit.

Saturday Flowers

2010-04-17T08:00:00.000+02:00

Love Is Stronger Than Death

2010-04-16T19:34:00.003+02:00

Tonight, a tweet harmless tweet by Borstal Boy sent me heavily down memory lane.

It took not long that I came to The The's Love Is Stronger Than Death which is such a wonderful song for being in love in spring time :)

Lovelovelove
Lovelovelove

Me & my friend were walking
In the cold light of mourning.
Tears may blind the eyes but the soul is not deceived
In this world even winter aint what it seems.

Here come the blue skies here comes springtime.
When the rivers run high & the tears run dry.
When everything that dies.
Shall rise.

Lovelovelove is stronger than death.
Lovelovelove is stronger than death.

In our lives we hunger for those we cannot touch.
All the thoughts unuttered & all the feelings unexpressed
Play upon our hearts like the mist upon our breath.
But, awoken by grief, our spirits speak
How could you believe that the life within the seed
That grew arms that reached
And a heart that beat.
And lips that smiled
And eyes that cried.
Could ever die?

Here come the blue skies here comes springtime.
When the rivers run high & the tears run dry.
When everything that dies.
Shall rise.

Lovelovelove is stronger than death.
Lovelovelove is stronger than death.

Shall rise. shall rise.
Shall rise. shall rise.

No Sports At Dawn (in speedos and in public)!

2010-04-16T04:11:00.006+02:00

I'm currently in Bangolore, India for a three day meeting. Only on Monday evening we came back from México, where on the weekend, we had the pleasure to meet and dance with Dzyan*.

On Wednesday, I flew to India; and this morning at 7am I finally made it to the pool, just to realise again that I'm not a morning sports person, especially when being jet-lagged. In addition, I realised that I'm just not exhibitionist** enough to exercise in view of the the pool side breakfast restaurant and the treadmill robots.

* go there, meet him - this is highly recommended!
** or just have a "tiny bit" too much fat on the hips.

Saturday Flowers

2010-04-10T05:15:00.001+02:00

Toño's late mother embroidered this table cloth for her silver wedding anniversary.

Cutlery - Revisited

2010-04-08T04:57:00.002+02:00

There is not every thing just fine here in México. There is a constant lack of decent cutlery. Like today when I was given a nice sirloin steak for lunch which I was supposed to eat with a effin plastic fork and nothing else. I had to wrap the meat in some tortillas and had to bite pieces off it. wtf?

To eat or not to eat?

2010-04-07T03:28:00.001+02:00

Baptism, Wedding, Party & Hangover Breakfast

2010-04-05T21:21:00.004+02:00

One can easily forget that there was also Easter to be celebrated because on Easter Sunday* there were plenty of things going on here at La Huacana in México.

After noon mass, Katia, one of Toño's niece got baptised.

Getting baptised at Easter seems to be very popular. There were about 10 babies, toddlers and even children lining up to receive this sacrament.

The second important event was the wedding of Toño's brother Tito and Maria.

They were actually already married, but that was in the U.S. of A. For some unknown reasons to me, this was not accepted by the Méxican authorities and they had to do it again in order to be entitled to a certain type of mortgage. Whatever, it was very touching and just another reason to celebrate.

About 400 relatives showed up to celebrate Easter, baptism and the wedding. There were Mariachis and a 20 men Banda band to entertain them.

Toño's family definitely knowns how to party. I had a blast blast and a few Corona Extras and tequilas too much. I reckon at times, you just had to lick the sweat off my skin to get drunk.

My sleep was almost comatose, but Toño's relatives also took care for a healthy hangover breakfast - an intensely hot shrimp cocktail - to get me on my feet again.

* in Switzerland we also have an Easter Monday.

5 on the fifth - Spring

2010-04-05T18:07:00.002+02:00

I thought I give this 5 on the fifth thing a try. I opted for the theme Spring.

In my parents' garden (Märstetten, Switzerland)

The first flower on our balcony (Zürich, Switzerland)

Carla Guadalupe in the car (Santa Clara del Cobre, México)

In the garden of Toño's sister Chilo (La Huacana, México)

Family party (La Huacana, México)

Sombrero de la Tierra Caliente

2010-04-03T17:34:00.006+02:00

The area of México where Toño was born and bred is called Tierra Caliente. Yes, it is hot here, like for today 38°C/100°F are forecast. And it is only spring.

A thing I like about the Tierra Caliente are the sombreros, which the hombres wear.

I like the dynamic shape of these hats and the simplicity of the design, which is not only aesthetic but also functional. It keeps the head cool. The sombrero is made from the leaves of the royal palm.

Sadly, only the old geezers wear them nowadays. But Toño was so kind to wear one for me to take a picture.

No, I did not buy one. It is not for the lack of trying, but Méxicans seems to have smaller skulls. I could not find one that fits on mine, which has a circumference of 62 cm/24".

Saturday Flowers - México Edition

2010-04-03T08:00:00.001+02:00

Comer con Chilo y la tía Lourdes

2010-04-01T04:29:00.006+02:00

Today at noon, we went to Toño's sister Chilo. The question of dinner came up, a menu was found, a shopping list drafted and soon both Chilo and tía Lourdes were cooking for the 16 people that happen to be there.

Caldo de camarones

Filetes de pescado

This drink is called Michelada:

Tía Lourdes made it for me. She used tomato juice, lime juice, beer and seasoned it with chilli powder and salt. Very refreshing.

Yes, I'm having a good time :)

Cutlery

2010-04-01T04:02:00.004+02:00

I will not go as far as to say that the way people handle their cutlery reveals their character. Although, the way people handle their cutlery tells a lot. Like you can easily spot the American in a restaurant (swap alert!). Nevertheless, I was quite flabbergasted when I was given my cutlery like this earlier this week:

¡Qué cabrón!

Just in case...

2010-03-30T01:25:00.003+02:00

...you were wondering how we are spending our time here in México

This is Carla Guadalupe, Toño's youngest niece.

Viajar a México

2010-03-27T17:53:00.004+01:00

The flight to México was uneventful, which is always good when flying. The most thrilling part was, when we approached Greenland. It has such a picturesque coast.

Of course, I was waved when we passed Toronto "Hi Tyler", Memphis "Hi Steve" and Austin "Hi Gauss". Sorry to the Brits, I was checking out the films when we passed you.

In México D.F. we are staying at the Hotel Presidente Intercontinental. Toño's hairdresser knows the manager and thus we got a complimentary upgrade to a room on the club level with nice amenities.

I was too tired but Toño had to take some tacos dorados after we'd arrived.

Our room is at the 39th floor and has a nice view to the south of the city.

We could even see the Popocatepetl volcano. This was at dawn, Now it's barely visible.

Later today, we will be heading to Morelia (4.5 hours by bus), where three of Toño's sibling live. In pre Easter, they have this tradition in Morelia is a tradition called Toritos de Petate. A couple of years ago, I took this video of it:

Of course, when being in Mexcio City one has to meet Dzyan, we plan to do this on our way back in two weeks. I'm so looking forward to this. He's such a fascinating lad.

Saturday Flowers

2010-03-27T08:00:00.000+01:00

We are in México

2010-03-26T08:00:00.001+01:00

We are on our way to México visiting Toño's family. I missed enjoying a siesta in a hammock in the shade. I'm so longing for this.

Sorry, work has been a bitch recently and I neglected many things. Hope things will be better after our break. We will be back on April 13, 2010.

In the meantime, don't do anything I wouldn't do.

Saturday Flowers

2010-03-20T08:00:00.000+01:00

De-Winter

2010-03-18T08:23:00.002+01:00

We all have our own method to mark the change of a season. Today, I switched to spring by de-wintring my über-helmet.

I also went for undies in a spring meadow green. I think that should be sufficient to honour +10°C.

Weekend in Bed

2010-03-14T21:56:00.006+01:00

We have been rather lazy this weekend, actually we spent a lot of it horizontal. On Sunday evening we could not even be arsed to cook and ordered* some pizza. We'd never ordered food in before. Unlike Toño, I at least used cutlery to eat mine.

* via the internet, since we had to get up to get a phone.

Saturday Flowers

2010-03-13T08:00:00.000+01:00

Mr. Urs

"Let's go to Bethlehem"

Cookie Bitching 2011

Wir sind dann mal weg...

Sonntag

Das Auto

Raw Passion!

Summer mood has arrived...

5 on the Fifth - Blur

Sobre El Jorullo

The place where I cut both my feet and still have to be grateful for

Dealing with Cutlery or the Lack Thereof

Piñata

Vida Rural

Agua Caliente

Pollo al Cuñete

Absent with Leave

Buff Urs

5 on the Fifth - Lines

Saturday Fruits

Fight the Tyrans! Arm the People!?!

5 on the Fifth - Reflections

恭禧發財

Sonntag

Saturday Flower - Midwinter Edition

The In-N-Out Experience

5 on the Fifth - Fun and Games

Farewell to America

Fixies FTW!

Between the Festivities

Back to Normal

Merry Christmas!

Preparing for the Festivities

A Warm Welcome with Frijolitos, Carne de Res y una Cervezita

Heading for a Navidad Americana

Big Chill

5 on the fifth - Faces

Cookies Delivered

Cookie Bitching 2010

Wish You a Happy and Peaceful Advent Season!

There Is a Butcher Deep Down Inside Me

Paupiettes in Autumn

5 on the fifth - Recycled

Stylish Carry-on Shorthauler?

Trapped Organically

Swiss Army Rediscoveres 400 Tanks

Cristal

Une soupière et un légumier

5 on the fifth - Round

Hotel Treats

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Toño!

5 on the fifth - The Blues

RENNEN

The Hawtest King

5 on the fifth - On The Road

easyWine

On Knives ....

I *heart* Metal Boxes

TGIF in Bangalore

Dem Ingeniör ist nichts zu schwör*

5 on the fifth - this past weekend

Reclaiming the Purpose to Live

Underground

New Banner - New Design

5 on the fifth - Looking Up

There Is No Meat In This Hamburger

Pentecost Gave Sun a Chance

Saturday Flowers

Saturday Flowers

Saturday Flowers

5 on the fifth - A Journey

Wtf?

Saturday Flowers

Workers' Day Music

Noah's Tulips

Heavenly Temptation

Pimp My Balcony

Saturday Flowers

Hiding from the Icelandic Volcano Attacks

Yield to Pedestrians?

I heart Metal Boxes