White Worm On My Cat?

Obama. The

Now he's really President.
Everywhere is told of a new era and the historical moment - and even so many analysts get cool in the face of reports and events around the inauguration of the 44th American head of state goosebumps.

Anyway. In this country interferes in the sometimes rather strange-looking euphoria and the classic wail: Obama shall drop just in front of pathos and symbolism, the expectations will be but may never meet, never, he is after all only a puppet in the theater of the same actors as before, the hype about his person, his daughters, the fashion of his wife, his BlackBerry, his future dog and his cook is covered, terrible and free of any significance - and so on.

But this whining is just opposite, Obama with everything he has: his oratory (and the speech writers and PR consultants, which have made him even before the area code and presidential election winner).

only human
If you approach it as such think about politics and gently removed from the naive idea that a man / woman could "do the job" to make (alone) and everything depended on him / her is from, clear: He / She is the bearer of news, the seller. He may prescribe a different route, or have ideas, but ultimately it is always a large staff of people who have to decide. And yes, even politicians are only human. Even Barack Obama is not a godsend Messiah - he in his rough oath (which he could not remember it) it a bit embarrassing has demonstrated.

But people like to hope they do just in crisis situations, a shoulder to lean on, a figure looking up to, a savior, a leader. This can be very dangerous, as history has taught us that can also be a great opportunity. What makes people like Obama to such a figure, but essentially only: Speech skill.

fear or confidence.
Obama knows what an important role, "the head" plays. He finds confirmation in the current state of the economy - a crisis that was caused by the head ("Fantasy" transactions) and in the mind (fear) is growing. Why should not they also meet the head (hope, confidence) can?

Anxious people give in times like these no money and not drive the economy. Confident, positive, hopeful people (was ... even the Washington-tourism to the inauguration ceremony shown that) already. The mediated feeling that everyone would get a "better world" for which recovery can do for the change and has experienced a revival. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what the state can do for you, ask what you can do for the state." Obama translated that formula in the rhetorical modern times.

The neocons of the Bush Administration have the thesis "The people are stupid "worked along. They did not therefore be easy to make them afraid to give them the same fool who protect them and can take revenge on the grounds of fear (terrorists). The domestic consumption and patriotism (and should therefore . the quasi-dependence on military and their mostly Republican leaders and whisperers drive) The principle alone is the choice of words "Fear & Consumption leave because of unflattering memories

Obama turns the tables and say. Okay, if people actually stupid (or sell yourself as a fool can), then we drive them at least with hope and confidence to use. And of course it needs to show and rhetoric, a bit of glamor and NLP as a means to an end. The critics and whiners so I wonder, is it not legitimate to use the "arms" of the "dark" side in order to bring about something positive?

Monster
A bit reminiscent of the whole, the animation "Monsters., Inc." , at the terrifying monsters of children's nights in and gain little scared - because their cry is an energy provider, is the "power to the monster-center. At the end, it turns out that this also works with jokes and the laughter of children generated energy - and even much more.

I have have occasion picked the inauguration old inaugural speeches on Youtube and found that a George Bush, Bill Clinton, a John F. Kennedy or Ronald Reagan, are essentially of change, of renewal, of new beginnings and of change talk - and thus qualifies Obama's speech to the good. The difference was, this speech was recorded and received.

And that brings me back to the point: The power of words is a sometimes significantly under-estimated. To understand it, you have to get out but ultimately only two examples from history: Jesus, too, was ultimately "just" a brilliant orator. He has no doubt that much effect. And then there was in the last century still the man from Braunau with the funny beard. What is known about the person himself actually leads to the conclusion: He was in itself just a classic loser with crude ideas. He was unfortunately also a rousing speaker.

The power of words is a sometimes significantly under-estimated. May
Obama and his team use them properly.

Starla And Jewel Riders Torret

2008. Indiana

It is too late and the time that 2008 can happen again soon to review. That's just part before the spiritual state, to the completely new year - to pay - the last of the first decade of the millennium. I write mainly for myself once, but you are cordially invited, think along and to argue about the events anno-2008th Already at low temporal distance that is "left over" here.

oil, real estate, credit cards.
The oil price is consistent with its absurd price rally - first in the summer to over 140 dollars, Last but under 40 - for the ever escalating farce called global economy. But that has fallen sharply on the nose - and the fairly neutral observer, a dose of schadenfreude sometimes not hide. She has in recent years increasingly turned to speculation in order to Finanzjongliererei and betting on matches, and counted the endless consumer lust of a humanity that even in the truth can not afford. And thus fails at times this seemingly perverse system on its own arrogance, naivety and greed. As a result confirmed ethical and moral no-Na-lessons from the last few hundred years of human history. The first principle of reading in university business courses should therefore continue as Goethe's Faust .

Fritzl, Haider, Obama.
More head shaking? But please be beaten is that the economic value erosion in the human and emotional level, demonstrates the Lower Austrian town of Amstetten, its notoriety, it owes a madman. The unimaginable of Actions of Josef Fritzl , the size of the universe seem almost tangible. On the other side of the Alps shows a politician's "humanity" on almost tragicomic way: use the 1.8 per thousand, 142km / h and the corresponding history into a road sign lawn and afterwards sent as a quasi-saint in heaven to be the Carinthian, that requires a Joerg Haider . As we stood to him too, "an impact" this figure in the local politics was always - not least in his last great campaign for the parliamentary election 2008 - which is less evocative and has finally just "more of the same" position. Quite different in the U.S., where Barack with Obama a perfectly communicated and communicating shining light was elected president. He will have to use its tons of laurels rather than stirrups than a pillow to himself, to his country and around the world are a small percentage of what is expected of him - and it is hoped that he thereby succeeds. Be that as it may: Three people, will be available in many different ways for a long time with the year 2008 and its related events.

€, Olympia, cabbage.
In sports as well once I peck out three events that were formative: the European Soccer Championships in Austria - supported by Hopes and expectations of sport as an economic nature - was in all these respects, Austria and finally typical: Somehow, eh ok, if you look closer a disappointment. The Olympics in Beijing, I noticed only in passing, but the framing of the picture was just due to the Chinese version of modern communism - the impressions of my stay in Vietnam's december were frighteningly similar. How can the public to foolhardy Sport (ler) be (can) finally showed a certain Bernhard Kohl . Maybe he has red spots on his jersey that he has taken during the Tour de France, held for measles - which is why his body Drugs supplied that are not as real to the blood of a cyclist. Whether system error perpetrators or victims: Who cares really?

Hansi Lang, Christian Moser, Heath Ledger.
that differ with age and more people from the environment of life is sad as a logical fact. 2008 but there were deaths in the immediate vicinity, were not particularly old and really young people that are missing in the future. Somewhat related was the mourning for Christoph Moser (who just had an accident there just before I left for Vietnam), the longtime head of sales Hoanzl and one of the most important figures in the Austrian music scene. Tragic as the death of Hansi Lang was (stroke in the studio) or Heath Ledger ("accidental" drug overdose in the course of work on "The Dark Knight"). A much too long list of "public" deaths Hermes has created.

Kid Rock, Jason Mraz, Chinese Democracy.
Musically the music developed more and more Yesterday - or it falls over the age of 30 simply easier to what you have already heard everything in life. The Trendheischer still play 80 fat - goes in the photos, the flyers, the pants and skirts, and the music itself, the truly creative material but from them. The great innovator you are looking for 2008 rather vain, acts such as MGMT or Hot Chip were instrumental, but already last year predicted as such (see Review 2007). The world is waiting for hip accordingly on an aggressive outbreak á la grunge in order to free themselves from the more and more into Campy-enhancing. The world economic crisis is more likely to have more fat and pop color - yet: If 2009th

approach was at least as far as '08, the revival of the trivial Techno Schlager - a first harbinger of the revival of the early 90's. "Three days awake" , anyone? Also strange duet constellations are known from this period - Alicia Keys & Jack White was it not two years ago as quickly assumed the same song, James Bond and the EURO has (ultimately "Seven Nation Army" with a couple of years late literally brought stadium suitability and Mr. White unintentionally as reluctantly in the first mainstream League catapults) having the effect. remain

from the "real" charts somewhat left of the big commercial union, the Kid Rock is landed with his zusammengefladerten number "All Summer Long" (best-selling single of the year), or since the first Coca Cola Song eight p.m. years, which again topped the charts (Jason Mraz ' "I'm Yours" ); of late but was recognition boost Amy Winehouse (best-selling album in Austria in 2008: the almost two years old "Back to Black" ), whose free-rider Duffy ("Mercy"), and probably also the annoying, but cleverly marketed Braves T-macht-on-bad-girl-Katy Perry noodle ( "I Kissed A Girl" ).

Austrian gives more and more attention and now it is eating properly at all corners and ends. However, if we do ever that Ö3 here, a little more courage, not only to the (now containing a whit more) draws average stuff, but remains questionable. I predict yet the big "explosion" of one or the other acts 2009th

least my personal earwigs of this strange year, but not limited to, genius or massive artistic specialty.

01 Sex On Fire / Kings Of Leon
2002 Falling Slowly / The Swell Season
03 Oxford Comma / Vampire Weekend
04 That's Not My Name / The Ting Tings
05 Jigsaw Falling Into Place / Radiohead
06 I Can See You / Rex The Dog
07 I Will Possess Your Heart / Death Cab For Cutie
08 Do not Mess / Juvelen
09 Ready For The Floor / Hot Chip
10 Heart Beat / Nneka
11 Quiz Shows / Yes Panik
12 None Of The Above / Paper Bird
13 Back In Your Head / Tegan & Sara
14 Time To Pretend / MGMT
15 Dance Wiv Me / Dizzee Rascal ft. Calvin Harris
16 Somewhere Else / Asha Ali
17 You Don´t Know Me / Ben Folds & Regina Spektor
18 I Woke Up Today / Port O´Brien
19 Architect / dEUS
20 Gospel With No Lord / Camille
21 Dancing Ships / Francis International Airport
22 Det Snurrar I Min Skalle / Familjen
23 Five Years Time / Noah And The Whale
24 White Winter Hymnal / Fleet Foxes
25 Because / Madita

Alben auf Dauerrotation
01 Vampire Weekend / Vampire Weekend
02 In Rainbows / Radiohead
03 The Taste And The Money / Yes, panic
04 Only By The Night / Kings Of Leon
2005 Obituary For A Lost Mind / Marilies Jagsch

How To Well Come A New Member To The Church

T. and the Last Crusade

Two days we are on Southeast Asian soil into buildings - and are already well in the shade of the home. We take the bus from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. 8 hours he is on the idyllic route to the only really good road in the country, "Road 13" need.

The name "VIP Bus" could not disguise the fact that we are sitting in a not entirely new model of a Chinese bus company, as we climb just before 9, the transport of our choice. After all Gibts Air Conditioning, a driver, a small free ration drinking water and toilet buseigene - and we are lucky to have seats directly caught finish there. The more grisly details of abortion, I will spare you, the smell was annoying enough. And the track that was really idyllic as a Danube waltz at New Year. Above all, the trip felt by not counted, but well estimated at 7500 turns at thousands meters up and down a little bit like a Busfassung it.

The really beautiful jungle scenery, majestic mountains and many impressions, despite me is definitely something going on, what had never happened to me before: motion sickness. After two hours, where I went brilliantly, past wars with the good mood. And since the trip instead of the eight announced ultimately ELF took hours, this day was magnificent long for me, while my travel companion gently asleep recovery values found. Uha.

Arrived in Vientiane we went almost straight to bed, the next day should also be stressful enough. We arrive on time two hours before the scheduled Ablfug to Hanoi at the airport and want to check in when we are confronted with the news that for the return flight we still need a visa.

three sources had us in the run independently confirmed that this is not the case, because we should continue to fly Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for transit passengers to Frankfurt and from there directly to Vienna. And these sources included the airline Vietnam Airlines itself now but they made us with the comfort we already know Lao (in this case clearly what negative) makes clear that this was not because we in Vietnam of "International" to "Domestic "need to change. De facto this meant at the Hanoi airport check out, go one floor down and check again. And for that, nor a visa? We will soon turn on the Austrian embassy, but we have overlooked that in Laos there is no roaming for our network.

And so heated debates - our original Vietnam visa was of course when you first leave the country "used" and therefore up despite continuous 7.1. expired. Now we were quite as stupid, It was our duty to catch the respective connecting flights in three other cities. In Vienna, it took three days to get a visa for Vietnam, and cost an enormous amount of money (72 €!). The explanation, we should still go and get another visa at the embassy and attach three days, makes me accordingly booked and confirmed air tickets so more frantic. were

While my aggression level and my volume more rapidly, our plane lifts off to Hanoi - without us, because we would already only to be deported back to their own cost to Vientiane (!).

Fortunately, there were at 18:10 h and is still a machine and our loud complaints have not particularly effective when staff in Vientiane at least mean that we will be transferred to this machine. Uses nothing without a visa. Mainly because of the flight Hanoi-HCMC is at 18:35 h and thus naturally would be missed. But there is a second flight at 20:35 h. However, he could get the tickets for it only on standby and we guarantee no place on the plane, telling us the representatives of Laos-Vietnam Airlines. Visa and we have none anyway.

Maybe we just fly a day later directly to Ho Chi Minh City, then we would not go on Domestic and request that no visa? No, I tell him, because there are no connecting flights to Europe - for another four days. And flying over Hanoi to Frankfurt, the next day? Does not even work because the flight is already full and should we pay extra ... I think it does not it!

Twelve flights we had booked so far already with this airline, I tell the already slightly nervous women. And then this faux pas. We now have a constant companion at the airport now but for now hungry and goes to lunch. Lao comfort, eh scho know. After his meal has first but then also affected. Normally, if it were his service to the first at 15:30 h, he explains to us, but in our case, it has always been made an exception. And so, he offers us, he rushes to the message - because he knows whom - and our demand an express visa. Costs only 60 dollars and goes fast.

Because we do not have much time and even less choice, we send him off with our passports and money to wait almost two hours and are also progressively more nervous. But he actually comes back and we can get on the crazy journey. Second option flight to Hanoi, check out there 80 minutes in order to pass immigration office to get luggage, get into the other terminal ... and then get on it: We still have no tickets! The cunning Meier us could not confirm that yes, posting!

Fortunately, the staff in Vietnam's capital, friendly, helpful and a bit bureaucratic. A few minutes of trepidation while listening Vietnamese discussions between the airline staff later, we have actually transferred a flight. What a spectacle and for Europeans as normal task can be. Shortly before the end of the check-in time we do it, then, put our luggage until now durchzuchecken Vienna and in the second option flight to HCMC.

Once there, we are left turn only 70 minutes to the Domestic to International To switch terminal, formally re-emigrate from Vietnam and our visa the authorities after two hours wondering Vietnam to stay stamped again. And it works just in time, so we actually sit just before midnight and then New Year in the right machine to Frankfurt. Hallelujah!

Exhausted and relieved Nora notes that at this time in contrast to the approach no young children among the passengers seem to be and we can treat a portion of sleep. However, it had overlooked a small nuisance, which seems not very well speak to flying - and sitting in front of me justament three rows and screams all 13stündigen flight, as if it is an opera perpetual motion.

arrival, we do still get, and even the last connecting flight to Vienna - just barely. That we have had in the meantime, eight celebrated through all time zones due to New Year - could not care less. Home is at home.

Selected Photos Southeast Asia for four weeks.