Category: Community – Gemeinschaft

Independence day

Today is the first day of ‘complete independence’ for me in more than twenty years: My son, my youngest child, has finally reached the milestone of legal adulthood – and thus his independence.

Happy Birthday, Flurin! Celebrate, enjoy, and stay safe!Image

My son has been longing for while to become more independent, to make his own decisions and take responsibility for them. He has actively practiced stepping out toward a self-determined adult life. Today, he has reached that milestone. Congratulations! Flurin, I will continue to support you on your life journey – no longer as your father and legal guardian, but as Othmar, your father, friend, and mentor if that is possible and desirable. Continue reading “Independence day” →

Military-industrial complex: The human version

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Dropping off and picking up passengers at the Mao Airport (Kanem Region/Chad)

I find it neat to find common experiences in the most unexpected places. As I was doing some banking today, the investment advisor and I got into some casual conversation. After all, he has all kind of private information about me at his disposal on the computer screen. He inquired about my employment status and whether I am still working with MSF/Doctors WIthout Borders. He showed a genuine interest and so I told him a little bit about my mission to Chad last year. Continue reading “Military-industrial complex: The human version” →

Leadership and power – not authoritarian rule and legalized force

I am more comfortable knowing that Barack Obama will be president of the US of America for another four years. Not that I doubt that Mitt Romney and his team have equal abilities to govern that big country. What makes the difference for me is the perceived difference in attitude about governance.

My impression is that Obama wants to be a leader. He radiates a vision of a nation – even if he is not immune to hints of global supremacy. On the other hand, the Republican rhetoric sounds to me like they want to be in power. The conservative notion seems to dictate to be in charge of the whole world, to dominate. For me there is a very clear difference and important distinction between leadership and power: One is to unleash the inner motivation of the people, of society and polity as a whole, to do the best they can for a common purpose; the other one is to force one particular set of beliefs and actions on everyone like the emperors and popes did in centuries past. Continue reading “Leadership and power – not authoritarian rule and legalized force” →

Toonie Tuesday – second edition

Today’s Toonie Tuesday coffee was more than I could have asked for. No, the coffee was the same, the place was not too crowded and thus not too noisy. There is a new show of paintings exhibited, faces, flowers, landscapes. Local artist, colourful, naive, but unfortunately not very well presented due to the sheer volume on the limited wall space.

Continue reading “Toonie Tuesday – second edition” →

Toonie Tuesday

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It is a habit of mine to receive a reminder every Tuesday about the lower-priced specialty coffee drinks available at the Chocolate Claim. Sometimes I follow the call and enjoy a double-shot latte for a toonie. Before I monitored my daily spending habits, I indulged in store-bought coffee like many people around me. But then I found out that more than 20% of my food budget went to feed that indulgence. I could no longer justify my habits. Especially, since the expenses for fresh fruit and vegetables amounted to less than 9% of my food budget!

Continue reading “Toonie Tuesday” →

Monday Morning

As I spend some more time with the new blogging tool I discover how difficult it is for me to write to an anonymous audience. So far, I have mostly used letters and letter-style emails to communicate. What is it really that people “out there” are interested in? What are the relevant thoughts that I like to share? What am I comfortable with sharing with a wider audience, possibly a public audience?

Continue reading “Monday Morning” →