New
#241
Ditto!
Today [6]
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New #242
That is good news Borg.
Anyway I have been walking Gracie as usual and I have just started two auctions on Ebay.
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New #243
Our temps are finally returning to near normal. We ill have a high of 71F/22C with a high on New Years day projected to be 75F/24C. My kind of weather. I will be getting some serious motorcycle riding in.
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New #244
Well, it looks like I will be spending New Years Eve at the beach again this year....forecast maximum temperature 43 degrees Celcius
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New #245
Although my walking has improved during the last months, I still have quite a big problems with my sense of balance and walking in general, needing a cane. Today I wanted to go to the city all by myself, without Angie or someone else assisting me. So, I slowly walked to the tram stop a few hundred meters away, and took tram to the city. No problems there.
Did some serious window shopping, went to a nice pub to have a pint with two friends of mine, and decided to to take a bus back home. It takes only 12 -14 minutes but because my balance problems, I wanted to sit. Bus was full, not a single seat available. I asked two teenagers sitting next to the exit if they would let me sit. These young men just looked at me, saying nothing. I asked once more, showing my cane and explaining that I have difficulties to stand. One of these civilized youngsters told me, hearing from my accent that I'm not German, simply "Ausländer raus!" and continued to talk with his friend. So I just stood there, not knowing how to react.
"Ausländer raus" is literally "Foreigners out" in English, most often heard and seen in ultra right wing demonstrations. As a white Western European I do not meet racism so often; for the first, if Germans don't hear me talking there's nothing that reveals I'm a foreigner. We Scandinavians look like them. But once again I found myself thinking of some of my dear friends, who have to hear these kind of remarks almost daily, because of another color of the skin or other small things that reveal they are foreigners.
Funny world we have, some people thinking they are better only because of their origin, religion or ethnic background.
KariLast edited by Kari; 30 Dec 2010 at 11:58. Reason: Typos
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New #246
Wow, very poignant post, Kari. I've suffered occasional discrimination at points throughout my life and it's very sad. Some (many) people DO feel they are better than most others, and they can make you feel "less than" --- this really hurts my feelings (and makes me very angry)! The older I get the more cynical I become about the human species. I don't think we're as enlightened as we'd like to think we are. Yes, of course there are a few kind and thoughtful people here and there, but for the most part --- especially in the more violent parts of the world -- humans are pretty territorial and consumed with making their own lives better --- pretty much at any cost.
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New #247
Kari,
Similar thing happened when I took my wife to a Brewery for lunch with my son/wife!
I was pushing her in a wheel-chair and people would look at us and not budge an inch to get out of our way.
I politely said "excuse us!" hoping they would move out of the way. They still didn't move.
Now my temper is rising and I yelled, so everyone in the joint could hear me, CLEAR A FRICKIN PATH!
I could have driven a truck through the lane that was cleared.
Yes it is a funny world we live in and sometimes we have to grab it around the throat to awaken it!
THW
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New #249
Kari, it is very different in my area. Either I or another youngster on a bus will give their seat for someone who is elderly, disabled or has a pushchair etc.
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New #250
Today (tonight) in New Year . For me nothing special,night like every night,but with a lot of drinks. :)
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