10 Percent

A country, where the government wants to raise the budget for defence  with 10 procent, with as main reason that it is 'about time, that we win a war again'
what to say about that..

Have we ever seen a war with winners, apart from the banks and weapon industry?

Why not give peace a chance, and give the people what they really want?  

No one wants a wall
No one wants censorship
No one wants to hear that social security gets less, because 'we have to win a war'
No one wants to see the poor paying taxes for going to war
No one has difficulties with people who are from other countries, because we have to win a war

Everybody wants peace
Everybody deserves to feel at home, where (s)he lives 
No matter what colour, what gender, what religion

Why preparing for war, when you not even know who your opponent will be?

Imagine... there is a war, and nobody should go to join it

what is democracy?

what is democracy
when you simply exclude press that asks questions that you don't want to answer?
What is democracy
if you not allow any words that disagree with yours?

The world knows that most Americans do NOT want that. The world knows that there are many protests, even when we do not see them.
The republicanic party should think very, very much, about the direction they want to go in. Can they control their leaders? Or is it already too late?

Moving

When we want to get done something,  we need to take action.

We can wait, until the other tells us that we should do something. They are the ones then, that move first, because they want to get something done.

It is not said that our move is the best one. We can not always foresee what the move will cause. Sometimes we can, but most of the time  we are not having full control over the things.
If I want to catch my train, I can rely at the scheduled time, but the chance is realistic that the train has a few minutes delay.
When the weather is stormy, there could be a tree falling down, and the entire plan will drop. No matter how well I have planned my trip.

We can stay home, when the weather is bad. We can canclel events, like the discussion is again about the carnival festivities. Who has the guts to move first? Or do we do nothing and let it all come as it comes? What in fact is a move, when you decide active to do nothing.

In chess the player with white makes the first move. It may reveal a bit of his strategy, and black can tryy to anticipate.
Who wins is dependennd on many things. The only thing that we can say for sure is that nothing wil happen, when nobody moves. 

It is good to move. We need to go forward and not standing still. Exceptions are the traffic lights and when we need to take a picture.
Dare to make the  move. It is the only way to get further

Hunting the sweetis

Uproar in the city, especially in the park, where I use to walk and make pictures of the 'wildlife' there.  Comorands, swans, heron, kingfisher, and the common stuff like rabbits, ducks and Cuypo's (nutrias).

I love to watch them and to photograph them, and for years already I was surprised by how many of those small animals there were.  Regurarily we read messages, that it is not allowed to feed them, because they multiply easy and they destruckt the trees, making the park dangerous as well.

Now the point seem to be reached, that there is too much, and there are hunters hired, to minimize the amount of ducks, rabbits and especially the Coypo's, what I from here on will name Nutria's, the name we use for them here.
People come in the park to recreate, and what is nicer then to walk out on a sunday and feed the ducks?  Nothing wrong with that, in my eyes, but it gets different if there come people, every day again, with large bags of bread and vegetables, and feed them to the animals. Bread, potatopeals, lefts from flowercoal, carrots,  a homeless could be jealous on it!

Now the news tells that they are hunted, and the opinions in the city are various. Animal lovers say thta it is not fair, to shoot them, why not catcch them and let them have the rest of the life in a zoo.
The city sees the hunting as a solution for the problem.  

I personally see it not as a solution. As long as the people are not stopping to feed the animals, the animals will return and they will overcrowd the park soon again. There are no natural enemies, and when they not need to fight for food, the few will survive as well and in a short time the problem returns.

A tricky situation it is!

I love my walk through the park, and will continue it. I look forward to getting a bit more green back, and a bit less of the mass of animals. My camera will look for the other animals, who are there less openly and who make the park so beautiful as well.

To be continued.
For Nutria's on line, visit my Facebook --> Nutrias on line on facebook --

The article in the local newspaper is -->  HERE <-- p="">

New technolocy, old charms

It lasted a bit, but.. I have my new smart phone

Next to the phone part, there is a lot of smart in it as well, it seems.
Now that I know a bit about computers and internet, I should not be surprised anymore with things that happen.
It is nice that the old phone and the new phone can synchronise their data, but I had a mobile phone 20 years ago, that could 'synchronise'  data as well.

What is new?
The new smart phone can do the same as the old one. Making pictures, being used in chats, twitter, facebook, mail, music.. Everything that I wish, even watching tv, can be done at that thing that fits into my hand.
You can say, I have the whole world in my hand.

The smarter and more advance the technique becomes, a lot of people are getting into the opposite from smart and advanced.
Like the man who wanted to step into the train, and was so busy playing a game, that he did bounce against the people who wanted to leave the train.
I hope he gets his next level.

I got a smile from a young mother, for who I held the door open.  I feel SO old fashioned with it, I LOVE it!
(ehhhhh.. and I love my smart phone as well, it was quite a journey to get it, yesterday)

Destination

We're all walking a long road

Sometimes the roads bring people together, for longer or for shorter time. The only one who you can be sure of, who guides you on your road from birth until death, is you, yourself.

Use what the road brings you. Pick a flower as in friendship.  Enjoy the sun as  in a laughter. Be happy and amazed about everything. Start every day anew with being amazed about the things that happen, the light, the friends, the partner, the home, everything you have.

Do not look to what your friends have. You not need to know how they get happy, you must know your own happiness. A bird that starts singing. Your favorite artist at the radio.

The people that walk with you at your road, today.  Everyone with his or her own destination. Laugh to eachother. You might remember it later, for a reason.  Don't be too hard for yourself. When others doubt about you, let them. Look into the mirror, and see the wonderful you.  Know your strength (you automatically know your weak points then as well), and use it on your path.

Step by step we come to our destination.

Who knows how, who knows when?

Flexibility

How flexible are we?

How do we act when plans change?

There are people who start feeling upset. Whining that is done wrong to them, and yelling that they might not stop until they have what they want. This blind-eyed anger they spread to who wants to hear it, and they will support the crying child.

There comes a time that children learn that they not always may get what they want. It is a matter of well done raising. Tell your children to have manners, teach them that, when things go different, that there might be other ways to reach your goal. Don't cry, but act.

Yesterday this happened to me (us). A planned trip was delayed, because we drove wrong, and were about 2 hours later then planned at the location.
Imagine what should have happended if we got grumpy?  We should have spoiled a few hours with negativity, and forget that we were around for having fun. Okay, standing in the traffic jam is not fun, sure not when it happens 3 times, but it should not help to get angry. At who? For what to reach? 

And in the end we arrived at our destination, so all was well.
And after a nice walk, we ended with a huge piece of cake and a pot of coffee.  

Where did that bad day go to? It was fun, and we have plenty of memories, to tease eachother with for the coming weeks. :)

There is always a choice, for winning or whining, and you make that choice yourself.


l

Who is intrested in our visit of Schloß Wickrath, can click at the duck, to find my protosite

A flavor of ...

Today, in our part of Europe, it is a day that we all were waiting for.

Temperatures above 10 degrees, plenty of sun.  It looks like winter is over, even tho we (should) know that a lot of cold still may come. Or maybe not, we shall see.

With the entrance of the weather change, I am always amazed with the 'dress change' of people as well.
I mean,yes, it is sunny, it is beautiful weather, but 12 Degrees is not exactly the temperature I guess that people are going to walk outside in a thin t shirt and with short pants.
Next to those summer-behavior, there are as well people that refuse to admit it is beautiful weather. They wear their Hats, scarves, and handshoes

Are both parties living in 'another world'? One in yesterday, like, it was freezing last week, so it will be cold now, no matter what,  others living in the future, like the sun is shining it will be summer soon and I want it NOW!

And then I hear that voice inside of me..  Hans.... not of your business!  Maybe one has a high bloodpressure, maybe the other is not recovered yet from a flue. We never know, when we do not know (Hans logic??)
Same goes for Internet. How often there are postings of people who make fun about others? Such as, the clip of a girl dancing with a song. Okay, I should not put it on line, but when you do, and are happy with it, does that give others the right to burn the person down?

NO!

Back to reality, Hans. Do not judge too easy. Judge on facts. Try to find out the truth, don't believe everythng you see.

Anyway. Spring is in the air.  The photo, that I took today, is telling it.  Facts baby!  :) 

hands off!

Took the picture your attention?

Most of you know that this is the memorial statue of Freddie Mercury, in Montreux.
A symbol for us, Queen fans, and of course it hurts (yes I know it is just  a statue, but it hurts still, because it is not just a statue)  to see 'our Freddie'  in this condition.
Unfortunately such things are common, every public building, every public part of art, sooner or later gets visitors that want to ruin it. It costs a lot, effort and money, to get the things back in their original condition again.

I can not understand, and I do not want to accept, why this is happening.  People who do that are cowards enough to do it when no one sees them, they can not brag about it and they do hurt people with it.
The sad thing is that it happens everywhere. It is not uncommon to find fresh food, half eaten, in shelves in the supermarket.  Just one example. 
Why do people need to put names or colours on every wall?  What's the fun of it?  I love graffity and wall art, what is different, and often as well victim from vandalism (as in overpainted with crap, or worse)

Who teached the people who do this, about having respect for other ones properties or creations?  What do they tell their children, later, about what  they did? Will they allow them to do the same, and even encouraging it?

Keep your fucking hands off from things that do not belong to you!

Mr Know it all

or Mrs Know it all

We know them all, the people who always have something to say.

When you have a problem with, let's say, a new camera, they do not discuss the problem, but they ask you why on earth you could choose such!
Hey people, you not need to response, when you have nothing to add to the question!

When you have not understand the question, I think it is better to ask further, until you know what is meant, before you answer, instead of just pretending that you know it all.

As a good, wise, and wonderful man said.  When someone asks you a question, you not necessarily need to give a solution. It is already helpful when you listen, and truly understand the question.

So, maybe some of you know what I mean to say with this.  Let us see!

Who to blame

A few thoughts that went through my head, recently, on what I not know the answer, but I like to think about them, and share them with you.  So, warning, stuff to think about is on your way!

Who is to blame, for actions?  Usually you can say, the person who initates, is responsible. In politics does that mean, that the party that you are in, is encouraging your decisions.
Should we blame one person, for what he is signing, or are the people who prepare the documents as well responsible?  For me it is clear. A political leader is as strong as that his audience is making him.
It is easier to point to one person, then to blame the entire system behind it, what makes it possible that this happens.
Dictatorship and repression do not end with erazing one name. Therefore the system needs to be investigated and corrected.

It is not a secret that I am against ANY form of violence and discrimination of people, in whatever way. Freedom to speech, freedom to travel, freedom to be, is important and I stand for that.  Hate and Fear are taking away the power to think and the power to act.  Love is the (re)action.
I most definitely hate how some people ill-use their power, it is disgusting and against every human codex. Inacceptable.
The change, however should be in us, the silent majority. When do we open our eyes and say, enugh is enough? The day will come, may it be quick, because there is a lot of work to do to return the parts of humanity that are violated now.

You got the right

You got the right to live

But, what if your life is not that good? What if you long so much for the end of your life. Is there a right as well to end your life?  

I do not talk about the political decisions and ethic disckussions,  I prefer to look to the human side.

If someone has so much pain, that he constantly is under strong suffering, we can give him medication, so that he is not feeling the pain too much. The more pain, the more medication, until the point that the medication is not only taking away the pain, but as well a part of life.

If someone is so desperate, that he sees no reason to live further, not even for his family, his children, does he have the right to decide to end his life?  
Do we tell him that he can not do that (but he can!),  or do we understand, that not only pain is a reason to give up?
Will it  really help to try to convince someone who is convinced that the best way is to step out?

When someone sees no fun in life, and prefers to drink as much, so that (s)he can forget and not need to do anything anymore, should we stop it, or should we just let him/her go and see how more and more life slips away from her/him? What is it is your partner, your best friend, can you let the other decide about his own life?

It definitely is not easy to take the last step, to decide by yourself that you want to end everything. No matter how we look at it, the person itself is the only one who can take that step. No matter if it is taking pills, jumping from the bridge, or sitting at the couch, drinking until things end, it is a thing that we easily can judge, but how much right do we have in that?

There are people, however, who is told that they have not long to live anymore. Then it is not a free choice anymore. Or maybe it is, still.  Maybe you want to fight. Maybe you loose the fight, but you did try, anyway.
And who knows, when you fight, there is always a chance to win. Maybe just a tiny little bit of a chance.
Is it worth to fight for it?  And, who decides, in the end, if you do fight?

Live wise. Take  the decisions with what you feel well. And if you choose to suffer, do realize that others will suffer with you. Just as that others will fight with you, if you choose that.

Smile?

It costs so little, and it brings so much

I notice  it every time again, not only when I work with (my) people, but everywhere.  Things pay back!

When I smile to someone, it not only makes me feel good.  Often I get a smile back, especially from people that I know a bit better.  But as well sometimes from strangers. And the strangers who feel offended and look shocked away, they give me a giggle.
Of course it is sad, when you are afraid for a nice gesture, but at the other side, I am sure that they will remember that action, from us both, for a while, and it migh help next  time  (yes, I am a dreamer).

Ever seen hate bringing a person to smile?
Ever seen a war with winners?

Be good to the other, and they shall be good to you.  I think that, especially in times that things look so bad, we should realize that we have a lot of things in our own hands.  We can defend ourselves against violence. But can we defend ourselves against a smile? :)  Should we, anywayP

Smile. Who knows, maybe you get a smile back. If not, then it is okay as well, because YOU did smile!
Look into the mirror. Smile to who you see there, because he, or she, is the reason that you should smile!  

The best things in life

It is often said, and song about, and it is true

The best things in life are free

Don't let the money makers hear it, for they will come and hunt it away!
But, if I think about it, the best things can not be 'claimed'
The love for my girl, my friends, children, no one can take it away, even when trying hard, it will not work.
There are more things that are free, and wonderful.  Sun on a rainy day. Rain after  a lot of sun, the day after a dark and sleepless night.

Today I experienced two best things in the shops.
First I let change the battery of the watch.  No charges, they said, we saw this battery is changed last summer, and when it now is empty that is much too soon, guarantee (and that for only a few Euros).
Then, walking at cloud 9, I went to let my sunglasses to pe repaired. The man took his time, the shades came back cleaned and fixed.... For free!  

And me learned again, that it is good to have some shops where you can go to. A smile, a chat, and (customer) service. 

I am a happy man, having a happy bear.

What do you see?

If there is one thing that I learned with photography, then it is to look better to the world around me. 

Things that I did not notice before, are now making a wonderful picture.  My sweetheart tells me, that I can make ugly things look beautiful, with my camera.
And that is not that I change the reality. It is in looking a bit different to things.  If you walk daily through your street, you will not get so soon at your knees.  When I photograph, it happens often that I crawl over the street, in the grass, to get a different view at the things and put it digital. It is amazing what you see then, in the normal daily things! 

It enriches my photography, and it enriches as well my daily view on life.  It is good, to stand still, now and then, realizing what you are doing. Or, to be aware of what information you let reach yourself.
Watching the news, day in, day out, is definitely not healthy.  Watching the sun, looking to people, enjoying the two minutes of sunshine on a rainy day. It all can make the difference.

How do you see your world?
You, and only you, can make the difference.

Smile, and do not stop it, when people say that there is no reason to smile.
Be free. Feel free to be happy.  Look better, think healthy.  Colour your life!

Always look to the bright side

I know the reason (again), why I do not follow the news too much. 

It is simply not helathy, to hear and see constantly the bad things thatt happen in the world. It is news, but it is not what we need to see every hour of the day.

I do not think it is just putting the head in the sand. I think that it is healthy, to look into other directions as well.  The bad things happen, they have influence at all our lives, and it will continue like this.  When we sit and wait until better comes, we shall be constantly knocked down by the words of violence and the one sided message on tv, radio, twitter, facebook.

We need a break, now and then, a thing that is good for our health.  It is still possible to not refesh the social media, and it is allowed to take a day, or, if that is too much, a few hours free from the neverending row of messages.

Switch it off

Read a book, and don't tell the world what book it is (because there will always be someone with an opinion, on what you may react).  Just do it!  Listen to some music.  Go out, take a walk, meet friends, get a drink, visit a museum.  Smile!

When you spent as much time now at finding positive activities, as that you spent in hearing all the violence in the world, you might get that mind-switch, that will make your life more happy.

This blog is inspired at an article that I read at Ellis'  FaceBook. I put the link below the photo, I highly recommend it.

 There is a constant violation of our brains, caused by TV.  I admire the step from CNN, to limit the news from the white house. It is a good step forward to get well balanced again.

If you ever considered to do yoga, and not had the time... Now you know how to make time. Switch of Twitter and Facebook.  Put on some relaxing music and a candle.
Or go to write.  Go to photograph :)  Expand your world, get into balance again!



And here the link

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2017/01/31/self_care_during_the_trump_administration_is_vital.html

Queen can put a sign

The Queen world is buzzing again, and for all the people in America do. Because Queen (and Alan Lambert) announced to tour this summer again in 'the land of the free'.

Now we all know that, with Trump, the freedom in the US is over, discurimination and war signs are coming more and louder and (until now) no one is stopping the power of Trump.

Protests get more and louder. The movie industry, the pop musician, and many more artists are voicing loud against the monstrous steps that are taken by  Trump.  It has to stop!

So, my suggestion is, that Queen can put a deed as well. 

A group, grounded by a non christian from a 'non christian' country, with the singer who is gay, a group who promoted glitter and fought in their lyrics as well against regressors and war, should say no.
The group with songs like - is this the world we created- white man, the miracle (the list is endless), can put a voice now.  The group forbid their songs to be played at Trump's parties. When they are consequent, they should cancel the tour and put a sign.

The guitar player, who stands up for badgers and nature, why not stand up for people now?
The drummer, with political engaged songs like Dear Mr Murdoch, the Unblining Eye.. were that just songs or do you stand for them?

There are plenty of other countries where they can play. Or (even better for me), they should just retire.

Just a thought, I don't think I make friends again with this!