Quote of the day
February 7th, 2010We forfeit three-fourths of ourselves in order to be like other people.
- Arthur Schopenhauer -
The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims
Carnival Pack 1
February 6th, 2010“Carnival Pack 1″ is a collection of 4 transcripts, each in their own PDF file. The pack is a ZIP file containing the 4 PDFs and is available from the AllThingsGerman Download Store.
The transcripts in this pack are:
To find out more, visit the AllThingsGerman Download Store.
Lesson in Creative Writing
February 4th, 2010The German writer Gotthold Ephraim Lessing once stated, “Schreibe so wie Du redest, so schreibst Du schön,” (Write the way you talk, and you will write well) and there is a lot of truth to it. But now I have discovered a more innovative way to improve my writing, a more universal way to write creatively in this day and internet age.
Like most good finds I stumbled on it by accident and sheer teenage revolt. My son and I were on our way to the supermarket one day, and I happened to take some photos of autumn trees in full color. He had to question why I took pictures of such boring objects (in not so many words), and closed his question about whether I intended to put them on my blog by stating, “Mom, nobody is looking at this anyway.” My initial thought was disappointment, though not in him. His statement inflicted self-doubt.
After a few days of bouncing his observation around in my head, I came to this enlightening conclusion. If nobody wants to see these photos nor read my writing, what is holding me back? It was a true Geistesblitz (flash of inspiration) and from then on, my writing seemed to flow naturally. I would focus more on my writing versus the readers’ reactions. I felt like there was nothing to lose, which was a true liberation.
Additionally, I also associated this experience with the adage:
Work like you don’t need the money.
Dance like nobody is watching.
… and here comes my claim:
Write like nobody is reading it.
There is nothing better than constructive criticism, but at times even teenage perception will bring forth something positive.
Of course, my son had to object when I told him I would write about this. I had to promise to let him edit. If you are able to read these lines, you know I probably didn’t.
I have learned a valuable lesson. Write like nobody (not even your children) is reading it. This will avoid their censorship and your self-doubt.
This writing advice is only intended for bloggers, not for students. Students should follow their teachers’ instructions.
Snow Objects and Gritting Salt
February 2nd, 2010Having taken a stroll through Camp King Oberursel just the other day, I rediscovered snow related fun projects I had not seen for many years.
Nice and healthy looking
Germany's new housing projects
A bulimic snowman
Have a seat!
On a different note:
As the snow is coming down and twirling in all directions at 1:00 p.m. local time, traffic has almost come to a complete halt in our residential area of Oberursel in the Hochtaunuskreis.
This morning though, we had to go into town and observed local shop owners clearing their front area in the pedestrian zone. I could overhear dissatisfied remarks about why the city of Oberursel could not get one of their plowing trucks to move the knee-deep snow in some parts. One disgruntled owner said …how will they manage the Hessentag 2011 (the oldest and biggest state festival in Germany) if they can’t even manage normal business…
A city worker, one of the guys in the orange work suits, related to somebody how he had been offered a bag of Streusalz (gritting salt) for € 200. I believe in regular times a bag would cost about € 20. But right now, with many communities having run out of it, the real effect of supply and demand kicks in. Black market prices for gritting salt – unusual times call for unusual needs.
Camp King Oberursel – Mountain Lodge
February 1st, 2010One of my friend’s invited me to take photos from her ninth-floor apartment where one has a splendid view towards the Feldberg on one side and the former U.S. Military Camp King on the other side.
The picture on the left shows the snowed-in settlement of Camp King with the Mountain Lodge perched on the hillside (you can recognize it by its steeple).
Sunday afternoon was a busy time in front of the lodge. This hill leading to the lodge is the best one around the neighborhood in regards to sledding.
… by the way, even more snow is in the forecast for 2 February 2010.
