We have been freezing in Zurich

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We have spent a week-end in Zurich. Unfortunately it was too cold, but we have enjoyed it the same. Still it's facinating to see the Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most expensive street in the world - at the moment even the most expensive because of the exchange rates - frozen. We'll be back soon with a better and hotter weather.

Wonderful photograph from Anna Lee Keefer framed

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Last year I have received this wonderful photography by Anna Lee Keefer. Some months ago I have asked to a friend to frame it. Today I have received it back and I am very glad, the result is fantastic!

Thank you Anna Lee!!

This is a law quality reproduction to show the frame result. For better view of Anna Lee's wonderful work, please visit her blogs and website

We have been robbed

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Last Thursday we have been robbed. The thief broke the window and came in, uninvited obviously. Must have been during the day.

This is the new situation in Switzerland, it seems robberies has increased during the last few months of more then 100%. Obviously nothing is done against this situation.

It seems January is not our month. Anyway only some belongings are missing. Oh, and of course the security feeling whilest home is gone, and no insurance can give it back to you.

Although In such situation it could be worse, you can be home and they can attack you.

Peaches Christ in Lausanne for the LUFF 2011

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With Peaches Christ the wonderful Drag Queen from San Francisco. Peaches Christ was in Lausanne presenting her movie "All About Evil" for the Lausanne Underground Film Festival.

Video of her fabulous performance introducing the movie:

"All About Evil" is Joshua Grannel's first movie. Joshua is the man behind Peaches Christ. The movie is a must see, with fantastic performances from Natasha Lyonne, Cassandra Peterson, Mink StoleNoah Segan... all wonderful actors!!!

Here is the movie's teasor trailer:

You just were not meant to be

You hurt me.

My soul, my heart

My tears,

Have for a long time cried for revenge.

Nothing though

Can take away

The pain you gave to me.

Years spent wondering,

Looking for answers,

Only a deaf could see,

In the darkness of your

Empty heart,

The tombstone’s inscription

Containing the explanation:

Mom you never loved me.

So now forgive me if

My heart have forgotten

Your face.

Your grave lies in an empty place

Where once, long ago,

There was love.

You’ve taken it and

Thrown it away in the dustbin

Like a rotten fruit.

I haven’t taken it back,

It was your doing,

Your decision.

You now are just gone,

Forgotten.

The pain though remains the same,

It never really goes away

Memories keep it alive,

Just the feelings are gone.

I do not cry your lost,

You taught me well not to miss you

And I have learned my lesson even better.

Sometimes I wonder about things that could have been,

But never were, because of you.

Now I am thirty-six years old

Of which twenty-three without you

And still counting until I die.

No worries about my broken heart,

It has found peace the day it has forgotten of you.

Long, long time ago.

Goodbye mom, you just were not meant to be.

 

Extraordinary people in ordinary clothes: Interview with Andy Lopata

Networking comes first

 

Andy Lopata is a business networking strategist, writer, speaker, trainer, and much more. He knows quite everything there is to know about networking.
Networking is not an easy story and Andy’s support is priceless in order to have the best approach and avoid some of the numerous mistakes that can be made.
How can you connect with him? Through his books, conferences, one to one meetings… and of course his webside: www.lopata.co.uk, where you can find much more details.

Do not miss Andy’s new book: Recommended: How to Sell Through Networking and Referrals (Financial Times Series)

Also follow him on:
Twitter: @AndyLopata
Ecademy: Andy Lopata
Facebook: Andy Lopata Connecting is not enough

Andy, thank you for your time and the inspirational answers.

Special thanks to One Alfred Place, magnificent place where this interview has taken place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extraordinary people in ordinary clothes: Interview with gay dad Martin Berusch

Extraordinary people in ordinary clothes: Martin Berusch the heart of a gay father

Today is father's day and I would like to dedicate it to Martin Berusch, for his love for his children will prevail.

A fairy tale: a man and a woman have children and live happily ever after. The kind of tales that exists only in books or one’s fantasies. For reality is much more complicated. One can blame whatever one wants for having institutionalized schemes that are too restrictive, forgetting to take under account the diversity of the human kind, for everyone’s needs are different from one another. Instead it has been decided to standardize people.
In such a world conflicts are to be counted upon, especially between a couple with children. Marriages nowadays often end in divorces that can not solve all the open questions. The ex couple fight about everything and one or the other remain unsatisfied. What an easy solution to get back to the other one, using the most powerful weapon they have: children.

I have met Martin in New York and had the pleasure discovering a wonderful person, a gentleman. With a halo of sadness in his eyes and a heavy stone in his heart.
Martin is a father of two wonderful children. Unfortunately since months he is not allowed to have a relationship with them. For a loving father this is the most painful situation. Martin’s father’s heart is at the moment just broken.

Martin is a father. A gay father. It has been decided by some people, that this kind of human being shouldn’t exist, for a gay is to be condemned for his life style, he can’t be a father. At this point society has been indoctrinated. At this point people have allowed themselves to be brainwashed. Even worse, at this point people have decided to be heartless. For Martin before being a gay man is a human being.
How can a society call herself evolved and modern if she is not able to value every human being who is part of her, choosing hate over love.

For Martin’s fight for his children is about love. The right of a father to love his children, protect and support them through every stage of their lives.

 

Being a parent is a very difficult job, where perfection doesn’t exist. Every parent at some point will make some mistakes.

What mistake has committed Martin for finding himself in such a delicate position with his children? He is gay. Daddy loves a man. Let’s focalize on what is important about Martin though. Martin loves his children. Martin loves Mike, his life partner. Martin LOVES.

For Martin is fighting not against the ones who are trying to have revenge, but FOR his children’s love.

 

I wish love will prevail and support this man, for he deserves to be happy surrounded by his children.

Unfortunately there are too many situations where children are alienated from one of their parents, giving pain to everyone. I have focused myself on Martin, but I’d like now to talk about his children, because I think I know a little about what they are going through, having myself experienced the alienation from my father. They certainly think their opinion about their father being right and justified, but in their hearts they are crying because they are suffering as much as Martin does. Their love for their father is not gone, they are fighting for not listening to their hearts. Because whatever they think they think, it is not their own opinion, but what they have been told to believe.

Poisoning children’s thoughts is not difficult. But it’s not a permanent poison, it can be removed and children can even find the antidote themselves. Realizing that they have been manipulated will cause them a terrible pain and a even much bigger anger against their manipulative parent , because children do not love to be used that way.

I have experienced such a situation myself, but I still remain surprised: some people believe that they can play with their children in such a way and not pay one day the consequences for their behavior.

My question is: is it worth to lose your children’s love for being able to revenge against their other parent? Is it worth to cause all that pain to your own children?

 

Martin my dear friend, thank you for sharing your story in such a dignified manner. all my, our wishes accompany you during these sad experience. May it be as short as possible. May your children’s smile illuminate your heart very soon.

Some parents love their children under condition. Is it real love? No, it isn’t. Love is unconditional. Parents that ask to their children to leave because they are LGBT are between the worse human beings in this world. Unfortunately too many young LGBT find themselves in the streets alone with nowhere to go, no money, nothing to eat. You can easily imagine what they have to do for surviving, at their live’s risk. The Ali Forney Center in New York helps these young human beings providing them a new home, supporting their present for a better future. You can support The Ali Forney Center: please buy Mike Ruiz’s T-shirts here, a portion of proceeds goes to The Ali Forney Center.

You can also visite Mike Ruiz’s webpage.