Today was a pretty normal day. At least...it started that way:
I studied for my Information Architecture class in the morning, washed dishes, cleaned up in my room and wrote some e-mails.
In the early afternoon I decided to go straighten things out regarding my cellphone. I had planned to take Mariahilferstrasse. Didn't happen. The whole street towards the city centre was blocked off with police cars and police tape. There were probably about 60 people standing around watching the ongoings. Exactly what was going I wasn't sure, but I really did have to go get the my cellphone issues straightened out.
An hour later I was strolling through the Naschmarkt with a new cellphone tucked away in my purse. After doing some research I had decided to go with a loadable (no contract) no-frills phone. Originally I'd planned to buy one of the new models and then use it in Canada too...unfortunately our networks aren't the same though and wouldn't be able to support a European cell phone.
The cell phone technology here is far ahead of North American cell phone technology: we're talking flip phones, phones thinner than the Razor, phones with three megapixel cameras, phones with tops that spin instead of slide or flip open and features like you would find if you meshed a blackberry with a laptop with an mp3 player with a GPS navigator with a camera with who knows what else. A guy from church is currently working in London and was telling us about the latest cellphone Porsche is designing: it sounds so useful I'm wondering whether it could act as a third arm.
Anyways, I was strolling through the Naschmarkt looking for a large salmon. Tomorrow I'm doing a trial run Canadian dinner and am hoping to serve baked stuffed salmon. I have five or six girls coming over and so far have only been able to find little rainbow trouts in the grocery store. Now, I had selection...just not quite the selection I was hoping for. I could choose between whole octopus, frozen mini cocktail shrimp, catfish swimming in a barrel, a whole list of different fish and my personal favourite - sting ray. Perfect. (How do you serve sting ray anyway?) I did see one salmon, but it was huge...as in what I would serve if I was having 20+ people over.
Some of the other intersting sights at the Naschmarkt included a wide variety of exotic fruit (I didn't even know half this stuff existed):
- Rambutan (from Malaysia - red with hairy spikes...supposedly has a sweet mildly acidic flavour)
- Dragonfruit (Central/South America and parts of Asia - pink with green spiky things growing out of it...supposedly tastes kind of like a melon with little black seeds)
- Rollinia (from the Amazon - kinda like an artichoke but yellow with brown spine things...supposedly tastes like lemon sherbet)
- Soursop (South America - green with little spikes...supposedly very juicy and refreshing)
- Durian (Asia - browny green with spikes...famous for it's great taste but horrible smell...apparently Anthony Burgess said that eating durian is like eating vanilla custard in the washroom...think I'll stay clear of this fruit)
There you have a brief description of some of the more interesting fruits that were available. I didn't end up buying any, but I did end up buying some goat cheese and Persian bread for dinner that evening.
On the way back home I wanted to take Mariahilferstrasse but it was still blocked off. From what I could see they had closed down almost four blocks. There were still police men standing about and no one was allowed access. TV crews were swarming about but I couldn't find out exactly what was going on.
I found out later what had happened: apparently there was a hostage taking. An armed (with a toy pistol) man held up the Bawag bank on Mariahilferstrasse and took seven hostages including bank employees and bank customers. This sparked an hours long stand off including negotiators, snipers, members of Vienna's version of the SWAT team, members of some Russian security force (they were in Vienna to see how security personnel is trained) and of course members of the media.
Somehow a reporter managed to get a hold of a phone number leading into the bank and somehow made contact with the hostage taker. Exactly what was said I don't know, but the police are furious. A few hours later, a camera crew somehow managed to get into the closed off area and started reporting just down the street but in plain view of the bank. This was shut down pretty quickly too, with the police citing that reporting in plain view of the hostage location could give the hostage taker a tactical advantage ("I know what's going on outside, I know I have an audience, I can play my cards accordingly", or something like that). Despite the hours long hostage and all the theatrics going on outside, the hostage taker ended up releasing his hostages and surrendering to police. No one was shot.
Most recent media reports say the hostage taker had recently broken up with his girlfriend, was unemployed and had spent the previous night drinking with friends. While in the bank he apparently wasn't asking for money, but rather cigarettes and alcohol.
What can be learned from this?
Let's start with the obvious (but apparently not so obvious to the hostage taker): think before you act. If you're looking for cigarettes and alcohol, chances are you'll have more luck if you hold up the local liquor or tobacco shop...the bank is more if you're looking for money.
Second, think before you act. How is holding up a bank going to help you: get your girl back, find employment and recover from last night's hangover? I don't see the connection. From the sounds of things, this little escapade is going to get you 20 years in prison which is not only not appealing (no girl), but also looks horrible to potential employers (no job). I guess the one plus is, you'll probably get over your hang over pretty quick. But still, that's really not a good situation.
Final piece of advice: think before you act.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
**This is a back post from last Sunday. I wrote it, but wasn't sure if I wanted to post it or not...don't bother reading it if you're looking for something light and entertaining.**
Today was...I'm not sure how'd you describe it. There were some moments that were great, others that were alright and others that were lonely.
When do you step back and sit on the sidelines?
Every so often I stop and think. Today's topic: when do you let things go?
Let me give you some background. Over the weeks, I've come to realize how focused mankind is. Whether it's focusing on a hockey game, focusing on making next month's rent or focusing on moment, we really like to focus.
Today one of the girls at church was celebrating her birthday. There were two birthday cakes, presents and the younger single church crowd all went over to the local chinese restaurant for lunch.
How do you integrate into your surroundings? Do you integrate at all?
Today has been a day of paradoxes. Actually, to be honest, this whole trip has so far been (and I think will continue to be) filled with paradoxes.
One the one hand, I struggle because I have such a hard time understanding the abstract mix of German, Yiddish, Czech and ??? but on the other hand, I often am mistaken as an exchange student from Germany.
On the one hand I'm included in some of the events (such as working in the cafe at church or going out for lunch for one of the girls' birthdays) but on the other hand, I don't understand all the jokes or stories.
So when do you know when to stop? I appreciate how friendly some of the people have been, but when do I say "No"? Talking to a few of the girls today I realized how brief my time here is. I've walked into their worlds for a few months and then I'm gone. Is it fair for me to expect us to become good friends? Is it fair to expect to be drawn into their worlds? I almost think not. Sure, we'll talk and make plans, but it's not nearly the same. My conflict management Prof. was talking about "Ebenen" (levels or layers) in relationships and how they influence interaction. If someone who you have placed on one of the outer relationship levels tries to interact in a way that doesn't correspond with that level, it creates a conflict. It might just be something minor or it might be really odd and disconcerting (e.g. the grocery store clerk asks you to witness the signing of his will). Personally I think my Prof. has a solid case.
For the most part, I've been accepted here in Austria. In some cases I've been accepted and categorized into one of the outer levels while in other cases I've been accepted and categorized a little closer to the middle. Cool. No big deal, right? That is, until I started thinking about what levels I'm placed into and what influences where I'm placed. Then I started thinking about where I place people.
At first I thought I wasn't categorizing people at all. But I was. For example, every Sunday I have a choice: I can go home on my own, or I can ask for a ride (I've been going home on my own). In refusing to ask for a ride, I've been setting a boundary without even realizing it: "You people are great, but - I don't want you to take me home. We're just not at that point." Yes, it's something small and really, quite insignificant, but pause, and think about it for second.
Everything you do (even the things that you don't do) communicate what level of relationship you've categorized the other person into. Ordinary decisions are not actually so ordinary are they? By deciding not to eat lunch with your colleagues, or by calling to chat with someone you're either consciously or unconsciously categorizing and re-categorizing people. Maybe you're trying to keep some further away on the outer levels or maybe you're trying to keep some closer on the inner levels. Either way, everyone is categorized.
Realizing this, was freeing and at the same time a little frightening. It means that at the end of the day, if I've done my best to befriend someone that's all I can do. I can only work with my own levels, I can try and try to come closer, ultimately though, you decide what level to put me on.
Another example that (I think) portrays the concept of relationship levels really well is pre-teen and teenage girl friendships. From my own personal experience and from watching lives around me, I think we tend to place new friends on our inner levels very quickly. I'd suggest in most cases we place them too quickly (hmmm...this opens up new theory possibilities...I'll have to think about the consequences of placing people too quickly...hmmm). After awhile (days, weeks, months ...or even hours) the friendship withers and someone else (who usually has been on one of the outer relationship levels) is re-categorized and placed on one of the inner levels. How often does this happen? Ask any girl who her best friends were from three years ago. Two years ago? One year ago? Six months ago? You'll probably get a number of different names and maybe even an explanation or two as to why a relationship went sour.
Is this "relationship level" concept wrong? No, I don't think so. Is overhyped? I'm not sure. I'm looking forward to what else the Prof. has to the say though. I'd especially like to hear his thoughts on fear in relationships.
In one of my last theory classes one of the Profs emphasised the importance of guilt in life and how guilt affects us and the decisions we make. Although I agreed with some of his points, I do think that fear also plays a huge role. I can't speak for society, but I know that for me, fear plays a larger role than I'd like to admit. Sometimes fear can have a positive effect (e.g. I'm too fearful of the consequences, so I don't rob banks) on the other hand, I think fear effects how and what relationship levels people are categorized into and this can have a negative effect.
Last spring I was faced with a tough decision: do I go ahead even though this is something completely new and foreign or do I stop and not risk getting hurt. It was hard. There was the possibility of something new and exciting but at the same time it was unfamiliar and like all unfamiliar things there was fear of the unknown. Looking back I'm glad with the decision I made. Yes, things weren't always perfect but, there were moments when they were. And those moments? Those moments, were worth it.
How does this relate to you? That depends on you. I've gone on and on about levels and fear and effects. You didn't actually have to read this far. But you did, and that action would imply that you've placed me on a layer where reading my whole blog post is important to you. Would you go do something then? Would you go think about the relationship levels you place people on? And, would you pause and think about those people who you've kept on the outer levels? Why are they there?
Today was...I'm not sure how'd you describe it. There were some moments that were great, others that were alright and others that were lonely.
When do you step back and sit on the sidelines?
Every so often I stop and think. Today's topic: when do you let things go?
Let me give you some background. Over the weeks, I've come to realize how focused mankind is. Whether it's focusing on a hockey game, focusing on making next month's rent or focusing on moment, we really like to focus.
Today one of the girls at church was celebrating her birthday. There were two birthday cakes, presents and the younger single church crowd all went over to the local chinese restaurant for lunch.
How do you integrate into your surroundings? Do you integrate at all?
Today has been a day of paradoxes. Actually, to be honest, this whole trip has so far been (and I think will continue to be) filled with paradoxes.
One the one hand, I struggle because I have such a hard time understanding the abstract mix of German, Yiddish, Czech and ??? but on the other hand, I often am mistaken as an exchange student from Germany.
On the one hand I'm included in some of the events (such as working in the cafe at church or going out for lunch for one of the girls' birthdays) but on the other hand, I don't understand all the jokes or stories.
So when do you know when to stop? I appreciate how friendly some of the people have been, but when do I say "No"? Talking to a few of the girls today I realized how brief my time here is. I've walked into their worlds for a few months and then I'm gone. Is it fair for me to expect us to become good friends? Is it fair to expect to be drawn into their worlds? I almost think not. Sure, we'll talk and make plans, but it's not nearly the same. My conflict management Prof. was talking about "Ebenen" (levels or layers) in relationships and how they influence interaction. If someone who you have placed on one of the outer relationship levels tries to interact in a way that doesn't correspond with that level, it creates a conflict. It might just be something minor or it might be really odd and disconcerting (e.g. the grocery store clerk asks you to witness the signing of his will). Personally I think my Prof. has a solid case.
For the most part, I've been accepted here in Austria. In some cases I've been accepted and categorized into one of the outer levels while in other cases I've been accepted and categorized a little closer to the middle. Cool. No big deal, right? That is, until I started thinking about what levels I'm placed into and what influences where I'm placed. Then I started thinking about where I place people.
At first I thought I wasn't categorizing people at all. But I was. For example, every Sunday I have a choice: I can go home on my own, or I can ask for a ride (I've been going home on my own). In refusing to ask for a ride, I've been setting a boundary without even realizing it: "You people are great, but - I don't want you to take me home. We're just not at that point." Yes, it's something small and really, quite insignificant, but pause, and think about it for second.
Everything you do (even the things that you don't do) communicate what level of relationship you've categorized the other person into. Ordinary decisions are not actually so ordinary are they? By deciding not to eat lunch with your colleagues, or by calling to chat with someone you're either consciously or unconsciously categorizing and re-categorizing people. Maybe you're trying to keep some further away on the outer levels or maybe you're trying to keep some closer on the inner levels. Either way, everyone is categorized.
Realizing this, was freeing and at the same time a little frightening. It means that at the end of the day, if I've done my best to befriend someone that's all I can do. I can only work with my own levels, I can try and try to come closer, ultimately though, you decide what level to put me on.
Another example that (I think) portrays the concept of relationship levels really well is pre-teen and teenage girl friendships. From my own personal experience and from watching lives around me, I think we tend to place new friends on our inner levels very quickly. I'd suggest in most cases we place them too quickly (hmmm...this opens up new theory possibilities...I'll have to think about the consequences of placing people too quickly...hmmm). After awhile (days, weeks, months ...or even hours) the friendship withers and someone else (who usually has been on one of the outer relationship levels) is re-categorized and placed on one of the inner levels. How often does this happen? Ask any girl who her best friends were from three years ago. Two years ago? One year ago? Six months ago? You'll probably get a number of different names and maybe even an explanation or two as to why a relationship went sour.
Is this "relationship level" concept wrong? No, I don't think so. Is overhyped? I'm not sure. I'm looking forward to what else the Prof. has to the say though. I'd especially like to hear his thoughts on fear in relationships.
In one of my last theory classes one of the Profs emphasised the importance of guilt in life and how guilt affects us and the decisions we make. Although I agreed with some of his points, I do think that fear also plays a huge role. I can't speak for society, but I know that for me, fear plays a larger role than I'd like to admit. Sometimes fear can have a positive effect (e.g. I'm too fearful of the consequences, so I don't rob banks) on the other hand, I think fear effects how and what relationship levels people are categorized into and this can have a negative effect.
Last spring I was faced with a tough decision: do I go ahead even though this is something completely new and foreign or do I stop and not risk getting hurt. It was hard. There was the possibility of something new and exciting but at the same time it was unfamiliar and like all unfamiliar things there was fear of the unknown. Looking back I'm glad with the decision I made. Yes, things weren't always perfect but, there were moments when they were. And those moments? Those moments, were worth it.
How does this relate to you? That depends on you. I've gone on and on about levels and fear and effects. You didn't actually have to read this far. But you did, and that action would imply that you've placed me on a layer where reading my whole blog post is important to you. Would you go do something then? Would you go think about the relationship levels you place people on? And, would you pause and think about those people who you've kept on the outer levels? Why are they there?
Friday, February 23, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Magic carpet rides, the number 99 and sea blue fashions
Ever seen a concert pianist play only using his left hand? I did...just a few hours ago.
Yesterday I was offered a free ticket to the Vienna Konzerthaus. As it turns out, the parents of one of my hosts have some special ticket package. They were not feeling well, my hosts had plans and friends weren't interested. So, instead of wasting perfectly good tickets, I got to go.
It was fantastic. We, (insert fictional story about meeting a cute Italian here - was actually with my host's sister), sat first row on the balcony, directly across from the stage. Perfect seats. Excluding church and homeschool events, I've never sat so close to the orchestra before. Wonderful, would definitely recommend it.
The program included:
Richard Strauss
- Don Juan op. 20
- Tondichtung nach Nikolaus Lenau
Igor Strawinski
- Capriccio fuer Klavier und Orchester
- Presto
- Andante rapsodico
- Allegro capriccioso, ma tempo guisto
Paul Hindemith
- Klaviermusik mit Orchester (Klavier: linke Hand) op. 29 **the special left hand only piece**
- Einleitung
- Sehr lebhafte Halbe
- Trio. Basso ostinato
- Finale
Richard Strauss
- Till Eulenspiegels lustige Strieche op. 28
- In Roneauform
And as an encore:
Richard Wagner
- Lohengrin, Act III vorspiel
Who was playing all this? The Guerzenich-Orchester Koeln with Olli Mustonen as pianist and Markus Stenz as conductor.
Now, I've been to a few concerts before, but never to one in Vienna. Have you? Well next time you go, here are a few things you should know (based on what I learned tonight):
- Wait. Yes. Wait before clapping. Yes the piece was fantastic, your heart is ready to leap out of your chest and you feel like the last hour was a magical carpet ride across the shimmering Mediterranean, over the blistering desert, up the majestic Himalayas and down into a jungle of exotic flowers, sparkling waterfalls and wild animals. You feel like you've just experienced paradise. Wonderful. But please, wait. According the Konzerthaus guide to etiquette, before clapping:
a) Wait for the music to stop (Yes, seems obvious to me, but maybe not to everyone).
b) Take a deep breath (No, you don't have to hold it to ten, just breath: in...and....out).
c) Slowly count to three...1...2...3 (Come on, you remember how to do this...).
d) Ok, now you can clap (Yes, go for it, clap all you want, go, go, go).
- During the intermission be sure to check out the miniature hockey rink conveniently located on the east side between the Konzerthaus and Hotel Intercontinental. While it doesn't meet NHL standards, the little boys can put on quite the show (watch for a #99 jersey and an Avalanche jersey...yes, I saw both). Also, since you're on that side of the Konzerthaus, order a coffee...not only will it help keep you awake in case the last half of the evening is not as rousing as the first, but it is also so delicious you can drink it black. There is not bitter taste, it smoothly slips down your throat.
- At all times be prepared to make mental notes of the various fashion tastes wandering around the halls. For example: did you know that some manufacturer somewhere makes sea blue opaque nylons? Neither did I...until tonight. Sea blue. Uh huh.
So when you go, have a marvelous time, soar on the carpet, spot the 99 and don't let the sea blue fashions shock you.
Yesterday I was offered a free ticket to the Vienna Konzerthaus. As it turns out, the parents of one of my hosts have some special ticket package. They were not feeling well, my hosts had plans and friends weren't interested. So, instead of wasting perfectly good tickets, I got to go.
The program included:
Richard Strauss
- Don Juan op. 20
- Tondichtung nach Nikolaus Lenau
Igor Strawinski
- Capriccio fuer Klavier und Orchester
- Presto
- Andante rapsodico
- Allegro capriccioso, ma tempo guisto
Paul Hindemith
- Klaviermusik mit Orchester (Klavier: linke Hand) op. 29 **the special left hand only piece**
- Einleitung
- Sehr lebhafte Halbe
- Trio. Basso ostinato
- Finale
Richard Strauss
- Till Eulenspiegels lustige Strieche op. 28
- In Roneauform
And as an encore:
Richard Wagner
- Lohengrin, Act III vorspiel
Who was playing all this? The Guerzenich-Orchester Koeln with Olli Mustonen as pianist and Markus Stenz as conductor.
Now, I've been to a few concerts before, but never to one in Vienna. Have you? Well next time you go, here are a few things you should know (based on what I learned tonight):
- Wait. Yes. Wait before clapping. Yes the piece was fantastic, your heart is ready to leap out of your chest and you feel like the last hour was a magical carpet ride across the shimmering Mediterranean, over the blistering desert, up the majestic Himalayas and down into a jungle of exotic flowers, sparkling waterfalls and wild animals. You feel like you've just experienced paradise. Wonderful. But please, wait. According the Konzerthaus guide to etiquette, before clapping:
a) Wait for the music to stop (Yes, seems obvious to me, but maybe not to everyone).
b) Take a deep breath (No, you don't have to hold it to ten, just breath: in...and....out).
c) Slowly count to three...1...2...3 (Come on, you remember how to do this...).
d) Ok, now you can clap (Yes, go for it, clap all you want, go, go, go).
- During the intermission be sure to check out the miniature hockey rink conveniently located on the east side between the Konzerthaus and Hotel Intercontinental. While it doesn't meet NHL standards, the little boys can put on quite the show (watch for a #99 jersey and an Avalanche jersey...yes, I saw both). Also, since you're on that side of the Konzerthaus, order a coffee...not only will it help keep you awake in case the last half of the evening is not as rousing as the first, but it is also so delicious you can drink it black. There is not bitter taste, it smoothly slips down your throat.
- At all times be prepared to make mental notes of the various fashion tastes wandering around the halls. For example: did you know that some manufacturer somewhere makes sea blue opaque nylons? Neither did I...until tonight. Sea blue. Uh huh.
So when you go, have a marvelous time, soar on the carpet, spot the 99 and don't let the sea blue fashions shock you.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Wiener Eistraum
On February 8, I met up with some of the other exchange students. We met at Stephansplatz and wandered over into a cafe. Over the next few hours we introduced ourselves, shared some of our hopes and dreams for the exchange and generally had a good time.

By 21.00 there were just four of us and we decided to wander around the innerstadt (the very centre of Vienna were most of the famous sights, monuments and museums are located). It took us awhile as we stopped every few minutes to take pictures or read signs but we ended up at the Rathaus (city hall). During the winter the grounds in front of the Rathaus are boarded over and turned into two skating rinks connected by skating paths: der Wiener Eistraum (the Vienna Ice dream). One of the Finnish girls went to check on prices. It turned out it was five euros to skate and an additional six for the skates. A bit much for poor students...especially as it was less than two hours to closing. As she turned to go, some gentleman came up and handed her four entrance tickets. Whether he had overheard her conversation at the ticket booth or whether he was smitten by her beauty (my favourite reason) or whether he was just going home and wanted someone else to use the tickets we don't know.
It was almost 22.00 and now we had entrance tickets to the Eistraum. Should we? Could we? Well, when else were we going to get free entrance tickets? All four of us rented skates and off we went: two Canadians (one's actually Czech), one Finnlander and one Chinese. After a bit of a row at the gates onto the ice we were on.
Now imagine this: two skating rinks (smaller though than the standard hockey size) with flashing lights and disco balls connected by paths that wind around trees, past benches and along the street. All the while music from the last fifty years in English, French, German and some other languages plays in the background. The Rathaus and the trees in front of it are lit up with reds, blues, pinks, greens, purples and yellows. There are about five little refreshment stands selling everything from Hungarian goulash, to Turkish donars to Croatian hot dogs. This is an experience for the senses.
There we were, four girls, strangers in the country, but enjoying ourselves immensely. We skated together, we split into pairs, we even sung along with the music. (The electronic-but-sung-in-a-country-twang-style version of "Country roads, take me home" was actually pretty good. I'd download the song if I only knew who sang it.) Two of the girls even decided to bust out the dance moves underneath the disco ball. We skated almost until closing, our feet sore we headed first to the Croatian hot dog stand and then to the underground.

Why don't you join us next time?

By 21.00 there were just four of us and we decided to wander around the innerstadt (the very centre of Vienna were most of the famous sights, monuments and museums are located). It took us awhile as we stopped every few minutes to take pictures or read signs but we ended up at the Rathaus (city hall). During the winter the grounds in front of the Rathaus are boarded over and turned into two skating rinks connected by skating paths: der Wiener Eistraum (the Vienna Ice dream). One of the Finnish girls went to check on prices. It turned out it was five euros to skate and an additional six for the skates. A bit much for poor students...especially as it was less than two hours to closing. As she turned to go, some gentleman came up and handed her four entrance tickets. Whether he had overheard her conversation at the ticket booth or whether he was smitten by her beauty (my favourite reason) or whether he was just going home and wanted someone else to use the tickets we don't know.
It was almost 22.00 and now we had entrance tickets to the Eistraum. Should we? Could we? Well, when else were we going to get free entrance tickets? All four of us rented skates and off we went: two Canadians (one's actually Czech), one Finnlander and one Chinese. After a bit of a row at the gates onto the ice we were on.
Now imagine this: two skating rinks (smaller though than the standard hockey size) with flashing lights and disco balls connected by paths that wind around trees, past benches and along the street. All the while music from the last fifty years in English, French, German and some other languages plays in the background. The Rathaus and the trees in front of it are lit up with reds, blues, pinks, greens, purples and yellows. There are about five little refreshment stands selling everything from Hungarian goulash, to Turkish donars to Croatian hot dogs. This is an experience for the senses.
There we were, four girls, strangers in the country, but enjoying ourselves immensely. We skated together, we split into pairs, we even sung along with the music. (The electronic-but-sung-in-a-country-twang-style version of "Country roads, take me home" was actually pretty good. I'd download the song if I only knew who sang it.) Two of the girls even decided to bust out the dance moves underneath the disco ball. We skated almost until closing, our feet sore we headed first to the Croatian hot dog stand and then to the underground.

Why don't you join us next time?
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