I heart LA

Did I already mention that I love California?

And that despite of 10-lane highways, a 24/7 rush hour (in LA that is), and ridiculously long line ups at LAX.

But it offers everything: people from all over the world live there, fresh food is plentiful and whatever your heart might desire, you can be certain that you will find like minded people. After all, there are 36 million people to choose your friends from.

California

Another trip to sunny California to experience sun, palm trees and to visit with friends. And I am certainly glad I did absorb the heat over the last few days, because in half an hour I will drive to work..in a snow storm.


This time the desert was blooming!

Happy Easter! Easter eggs in front of a mansion in Pasadena.

Battery

Today I found out the City of Calgary doesn't mind that regular household batteries (AA and such) are going in the regular trash, and will end up on the landfill. I was REALLY surprised, because in Europe, or at least in Austria, this is illegal.

In the US, corporations have to collect batteries and pay for their disposal at a special hazardous waste landfill (probably by putting more effort into sealing them), but households, which - by definition - contribute to the use of household batteries, are exempt from the regulation. Which doesn't make any sense: if I recognize the need for recycling in one area, corporations, I understand that its components, the heavy metals are very useful for certain uses, such as in generating energy, but that they should be kept away from our food, water and air cycles. Fresh water is a finite resource and demand is growing by an increasing population. Therefore we have to keep our fresh water supply clean, and we also don't want to incinerate batteries: the heavy metals make the air we breathe toxic.

Taking the raw material and keeping it in a closed-loop cycle, from extraction to end-of-useful-life to re-manufacture and re-use. Where the resource is used and re-used with the least amount of "dirty energy" necessary to run the whole operation. That would be a good tactic - with future generations in mind. Or do we expect from our children's children that they shall mine our landfills? Let's not put the heavy metals there in there in the first place.

Free Tibet

So that this blog doesn't turn into a botany blog introducing all my house plants to you: here is an entry about democracy in action including a picture that is a colour other than green.

Tibetan people are upset. The Dalai Lama is asking for a dialogue. China says: Sure, let's have a dialogue - there is only one condition: do not talk about independence.
Not sure if that qualifies as "dialogue".

I added my 2 cents by signing Avaaz.org's petition: three lines and a mouse click. One person won't have an effect, 1000 won't have an effect either. But if it's hundreds of thousands, then the 2 minutes I have invested might add up. It's worth a try:

Petition to Chinese President Hu Jintao:

As citizens around the world, we call on you to show restraint and respect for human rights in your response to the protests in Tibet, and to address the concerns of all Tibetans by opening meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama. Only dialogue and reform will bring lasting stability. China's brightest future, and its most positive relationship with the world, lies in harmonious development, dialogue and respect.

Click here to sign.

Dieffenbachia

I finally found out the name of my tallest plant: he is a Dieffenbachia, and I gave him a first name as well: Hiro, a Japanese name, because I thought he looked like he could grow in Japan. And it's all about postive reinforcement: if he is called Hiro, he will hear "Hero", hence he will grow like a hero! I was wrong though - he is tropical, not from Japan. In Japan he would most likely only be abundant in homes, just like here in Canada.

I also discovered that Dieffenbachia is highly poisonous. It has been used by native Amazonians for the poison used on arrows. During the slave era it was known as "dumb cane", because it would silence un-welcomed visitors. It was used for human torture. The little calcium oxalate crystals damage tissue. I had no idea, that this was such a powerful plant.

Survival of the Fittest

I went to Bow Point Nursery on the weekend. It's just west of the city. They focus on native plants, that don't require watering and that are hardy enough to survive the harsh Albertan climate (cold winters - hot summers).

I found the usual suspects - like lodgepole pine and sage.

I was rather surprised to see yucca, which are plentiful in California and Mexico - but Canada? According to BPN-Ken they grow naturally in Writing on Stone National Park in Southern Alberta and can deal with Calgary's weather just fine.

Who is an Einstein?

Well, according to an interview on zeit.de the probability that you are an Einstein is higher, if you are a man. The speaker references studies on IQ and differences between men and women.

But decide for yourself, here are the findings of the studies:

• The average IQ of men and women is the same
• Men tend to overestimate their intelligence
• Women appear to underestimate their intelligence
• People underestimate the intelligence of their mothers and daughters
• People overestimate the intelligence of their fathers and sons
  
• Women’s IQ distribution is a steeper bell curve
• Men’s IQ distribution is a rather flat distribution

If these studies are right, then this would mean:

• There are more really, really stupid men than really, really stupid women (the bell curve of men's intelligence is flatter).
  

• There are more really, really intelligent men than really, really intelligent women. This could explain why there are more men in higher positions than women. On the other hand, if bullet points 5 and 6 are true, then a feedback mechanism could be responsible for women believing that they are not as intelligent. Just like Henry Ford said:
  

Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you are right.

spring

the ice on the bow river is melting.
the geese are returning from their winter vacation.

spring can't be too far out - bring it on!

Loremo

Loremo stands for "low resistance mobile," which combines an efficient diesel engine with low weight and minimal drag to get upwards of 150 mpg (1.5 (!) liter / 100km). From New York to LA with only 3 times stopping at the pump. Not quite a zero emission vehicle, but a lot better than most vehicles currently on the roads.

German design. Available in Europe in 2009; in N-America in 2010. 15.000 Euro (22.000 US$). Not bad - especially since gas prices have tripled since I came across the ocean in 2000. I'd give at a test drive. Read more here.

Honey

Ronald Fisher, Beekeeper, Davis CA
© Richard Avedon

I L O V E honey. I went on a little shopping spree in Austria and got all kinds of different types of honey. It's a good food to take across the ocean - it does not have an expiry date. It might crystallise, but I was told it doesn't go bad. I wouldn't know, because it never lasts that long in my household.

I hope the little bee guys keep hanging in there - they have a pretty tough life though: mono cultures don't provide food year-round, they bloom only once a year. So some bees also have to commute - hopping on the truck and going wherever the next blossoming is happening. Stressful, because we also take some of their food (honey) and give them sugar water instead. Plus the drugs.

Anyhow, more biodiversity would be beneficial - for both, us and the bees.

Just do it.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Mineralwasser

I am wondering: are there no mineral water springs in North America?

My favourite drink these days is fresh lemon or lime juice with mineral water. But I can only find European mineral water like Gerolsteiner or Perrier on the shelves in the grocery store. Mineral water is also called "healing water" in German, I assume the healing properties depend on the mineral content in the water. I also like it because alkaline-forming nutrition is hipp, at least among "tree huggers and bunny kissers" as my Texan boss would say.

I'd buy North American water, if there was an equivalent - i.e. water that contains natural minerals.

North American bottled water brands like Dasani (aka Coca Cola) and Aquafina (aka Pepsi) are tap water (PWS stands for Public Water Source, in the case of Aquafina it's Detroit's public water) that underwent another round of filtering *Eau Dear* and maybe got some additives added, but they are far from spring water.

I'd love to try some sparkly mineral water from North America, if there is one.

Lunar Eclipse

February 20 2008 - Lunar Eclipse in Virgo/Pisces - as seen from my door.

Plants

I think, 2008 will be the year, that Anna finally figured out how to keep plants.

Plants provide more benefits than just being-good-looking and decorating my place. Plants clean the air from CO2, and toxins: in this study philodendron, spider plant and golden pothos were most effective in removing formaldehyde (which is listed as a carcinogen). A different study points out that surprisingly it is the plants' root-soil zone that appears most effective for removing chemicals from the air (I would have guessed that it would be the green parts of the plant). To put it into perspective: good ventilation and avoiding toxins at the source (e.g. choosing low-VOC paints or adhesives) are more important measures than considering your house plants as your pollution control army.

Anyhow, here are a few lessons I learned from my unsuccessful years of being a plant keeper:

• Find a reliable plant keeper for your holidays. Most plants DO need water on a regular basis (yes, it took me over 30 years to realise that).
• Don't be afraid of death. Face it and get rid of the dead leaves (or entire plant if necessary) - it looks prettier.
• Google your plant species and ask your flora-savvy friends and family for tips on watering, light, and special care.
  
• Add plant-food to the water.
• Enjoy your plants!
  

monday

Today was lay-off day. Apparently for the first time in over 7 years, about 20 people from the office were let go. The nice English gentleman, who gave me a ride, when we were neighbours, the funny woman from Jamaica, the guy in Purchasing, who made me laugh: all gone.

Funny, how my perspective changed over the course of the day: on my way to work, I was thinking that the weekend was way too short and how I'd rather be staying in bed than going to work, while on the way home in the evening, I was grateful that I still have a job.

We eventually got confirmation that our department is unaffected, but in the afternoon, when things were still unclear, I was contemplating my options, in case I would have been on the black list; it's always good to have a plan b in the back of your mind. Here were my top 3 Plan Bs:

1. Focus on Yoga - possibly with some intensive training in warm areas around the globe
   
2. Opening a Day Care Facility for Mini-Wexis in St. Poelten (I KNOW that would be a good business)
3. Take a Foot Massage Course..
   

Artisan Bistro

I discovered a new restaurant, that offers good, fresh food for brunch. It's fairly priced and in my 'hood - even better!

The Artisan Bistro Cafe is run by a family from Chile with their roots in Spain. They have an espresso machine (a must have), and offer a variety of coffee drinks with some unusual combinations such as espress-cchino. I stuck with the Americano. I like my coffee simple.

The food iss tasty. The fruit was freshly cut, which is important to me: I can't deal with melons and grapes, that have sat in their own liquid in the fridge for hours. To my taste buds, that makes them taste more acidic and takes the pleasure out of eating. And that's just not right. At the artisan the food is fresh. The portions are European sizes, but nobody says you can't live the North American life style and order eggs AND French Toast!

french toast with maple butter and fresh berries

So, when you are looking for me on a Saturday morning, find me at the Bistro!

The Vento

It's official: The Vento is North America's first multi-residential project to earn LEED Platinum. LEED is a rating system, a checklist including different categories, where you can earn points, most are voluntary, some are prerequesites (like the recycling room). The first step (LEED certified) can be done with little changes to current building practices. To earn LEED Platinum (which comes after Silver, and Gold), you have to be ahead of the game and show some leadership in sustainable practices, like they did in the Vento by using grey-water for flushing the toilet, low VOC paint, and using materials with high recycled content.

Sustainable buildings are high performance buildings. When they increase thermal insulation, to decrease heating costs, they also increase acoustical insulation, which adds to (my) quality of life and the quality of my neighbours, when I listen to music.

Also, in minus 40 degrees weather, a heated floor is pretty much as close to paradise, as you can be in a blizzard.

The Terrazzo sink countertop contains recycled glass, and is easy to clean, durable, inert, and, I think it's beautiful.

But LEED is about continuous improvement. LEED Platinum is not enough. In a few years, it might be standard construction. We got to be innovative and creative. Some ideas will flop, some will work out. The journey to live completely sustainable is still a long, windy road. Only when we live in healthy buildings that use only non-polluting, sustainable sources to heat and operate, only when we use our resources wisely and put them back into a closed-loop for reuse instead of let them rot in the landfill, only when our home supports a sustainable way of living, can we claim that we live sustainably.

Esquinas Rainforest

Finally, I found an organisation that I feel good about giving money to. In Austria, Budi spoke about this project enthusiastically, so I too bought 100m2 of rain forest in Costa Rica for only 14 Euros. The money is given to the owners, and then the forest is donated to the national park.

The project is called "Regenwald der Oesterreicher" - Rainforest of the Austrians. It does rain a lot in Austria, but that doesn't make a rainforest yet, therefore, I assume, they had to go to Costa Rica. The project includes a research station, which is a partnership with the department of botany of the University of Vienna.

Socratea Exorrhiza

When we compare Austria's and Costa Rica's biodiversity, Costa Rica is laughing. There are 40 different kinds of palm trees in this NP, one of them can even walk! Socratea exorrhiza uses its roots to find the good sunny spots and can move up to 1 m a year. Not quite a long distance runner, but for a tree pretty amazing.

One area, where improvement is needed, is that they are still using the antique way of payment, i.e. they send you an invoice by mail. I sent them a note, to join Paypal or something similar, so that next time, it's truly me, who buys the forest, not my family in Austria (Danke, by the way).

Science Experiment

Yesterday at lunch someone mentioned that he saw a clip on CBC news, where some Edmontonians threw water into the air. The water froze in the air before it hit the ground! Cool!

It was another frosty evening yesterday, and Calgary is only 3 hours south, so I tried the same thing in -32 degree Celsius last night.

Watch the experiment here:




Observation: -32 degree Celsius is clearly not cold enough for water to freeze in the air. All I created was an icy spot on the snow patch. I hope no old lady slips on it and breaks her leg.

Edmonton must be a lot colder than Calgary. Or maybe the wind for the wind chill factor was missing, or maybe i missed something, or maybe I have to do it from the fifteenth floor of a highrise, or maybe not everything they show on TV is true.

But I haven't given up yet - at the next opportunity I will try again!

-46

Today's Temperature: Low of -46 degrees. Crazy!

Even a walk to a nearby restaurant seems like an Everest expedition, when you better not forget a scarf to cover your face.

Source: J.S. Milne

Talking about Everest: this is a picture of Chomolungma, aka Mount Everest, also known as Mother Goddess of the World. I only found out about this third name this weekend. Sounds better than Everest.

Housing Boom

I found this 3D computer animation called "Musashino Plateau" on Pink Tentacle. It shows the housing boom in Japan - but Calgary came to mind, when I was watching it.

Kavli Kaviar

Yeah - my first youtube post!

A kid friendly kaviar commercial from Norway.

Midnight Oil

The lead singer of Midnight Oil is now environment minister in Australia. I think that's quite cool!

Politically and socially active in his younger years, he has a degree in law. He was rocking it out until a few years ago. Last year he became environment minister - a chance to change the system from within, i.e to come up with constructive solutions. I am curious to see, if he will succeed. I am hopeful. Australia is definitely more aware of climate change than other parts of the world, as water is scarce and the sun burns hot.

Mousse au Chocolat

I got inspired to "bake" by all those wonderful desserts I had in Austria: Tiramisu, Ricotta Cream, Biscuit Rolade, Cakes...

Therefore I decided to buy a new hand mixer, organic eggs, whipping cream and Lindt chocolate to whip up "Mousse au Chocolat". Not sure, if the word "bake" is appropriate, as no baking is involved. I got the recipe from mousse-au-chocolat.net, where it is praised as "...la plus simple des recettes gastronomiques..."

Don't be concerned that this recipe is too rich, but remember Montezuma (Aztec Emperor, 1480-1520) words on chocolate: "The divine drink, which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food." Skip the trail mix and pack some chocolate on your next hiking adventure.

Serve with berries and mint leaves.

Austrian Female Bloggers

I love googling. How convenient is it to enter a question, term, or name and get instant feedback. Love it!

Yesterday when I was wondering, if there are any other Austrian bloggers who blog about their life abroad, I asked Dr. Google "Austrian woman blog". No blog came up, but one weirdness after the other:

Austrian woman living with her dead partner for months
Austrian woman, 18, found after years of captivity
Austrian woman has baby at 66

I might have to re-word my google search.

Jakob & Emil

Jakob & Emil in Wien, Weihnachten 2008

Ceramic Knife

I discovered something new in Austria. What looked like a plastic knife, turned out to be the latest trend: ceramic knives. Made from zirconia, it's harder than steel, chemically inert (no odours, no allergenics), and gives your cooking experience and new flavour with an ergonomic handle and smooth cut. It doesn't rust and wikipedia tells me it's also used by bomb disposal squads, because it's neither conductive nor magnetic. You never know, maybe one day I will need some McGuyver skills, then this kitchen knife might come in handy.

It's super-strong, but brittle, so no dropping, or cutting on glass.

3/4 Moon - Ski Lake Louise

For many animals wintertime, when the air is cold and it gets dark in the middle of the day, means time to relax and recharge the batteries (aka hibernation). I too experience that requires slightly more effort to get motivated and get outside.

Next weekend I will wrestle with my inner pig dog and get my act together: I will drive out to the mountains to explore the Rocky Mountain Winter Wonderland at night:


Details:
January 19 2008 - Evening

Lake Louise - Tram Trail: 4km slight uphill to Lake Louise; Classic or Light Touring ski equipment required; downhill fun and faster: here some skiing skills are required (in other words: you need to know how to snowplow, otherwise this part would be a shitshow).

Email me or comment here, if you are interested in joining, and I fill you in on the details.

Posing

Me and Suresh

My job is becoming more diverse. Not only do I teach a yoga class at work on Monday's, I also modelled for a photo shoot for Haworth Olympic Gear. Of course, I felt smitten, when they approached me. But then I overheard the selection criteria for the male model, which put my model career into perspective as well: "Who is not too slim? We need someone with a little bit of a belly, so that the chubby people want to get those jackets too."

I wonder what my selection criterion was...

Wien (mostly) bei Nacht

Vienna (mostly) at night

Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History)

No clue who this is, but he must be a hero

Am Graben

BOKU - where I spent my years as a student

7th district

again, somewhere in the 7th district

Museumsquartier

Sylvia aka Cosmic Syv