are you afraid of Knecht Ruprecht? maybe you should be.

Years ago, someone here in Bavaria mentioned something about Knecht Ruprecht (Ruprecht the Servant). I’m often lost in my thoughts so that most of the time in such a situation I’d nod my head and smile and pretend to know what such a person was talking about. But this situation was a little bit different. I’d… Continue reading are you afraid of Knecht Ruprecht? maybe you should be.

The Ranch

The way the Germans see The United States in general and the Americans in particular is a much more nuanced story than I could ever fit in one measly blogpost. And to be upfront about it, I’m normally drawn to the more critical and even confrontational views. It’s too easy (and naive) to believe everybody loves the Red White and Blue. Nevertheless,… Continue reading The Ranch

you’ve got stool

It all started this last summer. There were a few mentions of it in the local paper, but you could tell they didn’t want to say too much. Give too many details. Their concern regarding copycat incidents was understandable. You don’t want to give people ideas. Someone in the Munich area has been sending more… Continue reading you’ve got stool

good at heart

  One of my clients had an extra ticket to see Wilco at the Circus Krone here in Munich, and invited me along. Although I had to work rather late that night, he waited outside for me and the place was packed when we finally got inside. The only seats available were way up in… Continue reading good at heart

money and beauty

Don’t want to dwell on this, because hypocrisy can be such a tired topic. Nevertheless, it’s a very succinct description of how a letter of exchange wasn’t officially seen as usury. Here, give it a gander: ‘The Church’s ban on usury and the images of usurers burning in hell troubled lenders and borrowers alike. But… Continue reading money and beauty

day in a feminine city

As Henry James said in his Italian Hours: ‘It is the most feminine of cities. It speaks to you with that same soft low voice which is such an excellent thing in a woman. Other cities beside it are great swearing and shuffling rowdies. Florence has an immortal soul. You look into her grey eyes…so… Continue reading day in a feminine city

be nice to the poor bankers

You people are too hard on bankers. Yes, you people. I hear you casting your aspersions. Smearing their profession with your horrible inaccuracies. Financial vehicles that even they don’t understand.  Don’t you get it? They’re doing things even they don’t understand. That doesn’t merit even the barest of respect and awe from the likes of… Continue reading be nice to the poor bankers

in search of a flatter earth

Although I’ve been in an airplane and seen the curve of the horizon, I could definitely argue for the logic of a flat-earth. If the globe was really round, why don’t we lean one way or the other. How can the Chinese live their whole life upside down? Think about it. I’ve heard about Newtonian… Continue reading in search of a flatter earth

not very anonymous

Haven’t ever seen a movie by Roland Emmerich.  Until today that is.  It’s actually something I was rather proud of. And even a bit smug. How can you know you wouldn’t like it if you’d never seen one?  His sort of movie wasn’t my cup of tea (You knew I’d squeeze a little bit of tea… Continue reading not very anonymous

another lahikmajoe blog? whatever for?

This is my new grown up blog. Normally, I blog about tea over at lahikmajoedrinkstea Or about living in Germany at lahikmajoeinbayern But here?  Here I plan to write about everything else I’ve wanted to talk about but didn’t fit into those topics.