Dear friends,
My fortieth calendar year in this world comes to an end and recently I have been feeling a little discontent. Maybe it is this midlife crisis that I have heard so much about or it is just the dark weather. At any rate, it does a world of good to read the old Christmas letters again and to practice some gratefulness for a beautiful life and also to reflect on the current year.
The year began in Hamburg. In the first minutes, I had defended Olaf against various fireworks at the Binnenalster. My reward was going to be a free packet of crisps. The hotel housekeeper spotted at the bar was so overjoyed that I recognised him from the day before that he sent the receptionist, who quite willingly obliged, as I had given him a little New Year piglet in marzipan for good look earlier. It was that easy to make three lads happy. Four with Olaf — he wanted crisps too.
Life at university was a little poisoned this year. The intellectually challenged had the clever idea to make a lot of noise until finally the study conditions were changed in their favour and compulsory attendance abolished. I found the suggested atmosphere what an unbearable burden our lectures and seminars are quite oppressive. Delightful, however, the summer barbecue where my fans among the students forced me to drink shots, which I was only able to survive by clandestinely pouring out several of the little bottles. My body simply does not take the degree of methanol in collegiate no-name alcohol anymore.
As to travels, it was all superlatives this year: colder, more expensive, farther. I still remember well how we used to have to watch our pennies. Whoever wants this feeling back, just needs to go to Zurich. The crossing on the sunny lake Zurich with funny station announcements as entertainment programme, such as “Rüschlikon, Bendlikon, Küsnacht” does remain unforgettable though. It was considerably colder on conference in Scotland. While the colleagues in Erfurt were officially allowed to work from home because of the summer heat, there were about 17 degrees (62°F) in Glasgow. Besides freezing to death, I also had the option of starving to it in the first days. In the vicinity of my hall of residence, there was neither cafe nor shop. There were certainly at the conference centre, but they only opened after the beginning of conference. The phonetic nourishment, however, was all the better.
Korea has been the farthest journey in my life so far. Practical there, the underground subway exits are all numbered. Demanding patience, the cash dispensers, which not only do not resemble themselves, but more importantly often do not give money to foreign cards. Loud, the cicadas in the garden of Prospering Virtue Palace. I am still convinced they use loudspeakers. Very delicious, 빙수 bingsoo, the Korean ice cream, which with caramel and nuts or with green tea flavour resembles a granita and even more sheer poetry. Unbeatable, 소주 soju, Korea’s national spirit drunk very irresponsibly, in the supermarket found right next to the soft drinks, can be very well enjoyed along the boardwalk by night with t-shirt, friends, beach musician and laughter-filled lightness. Honourable, the vice-president of the ISU, the international 3D society, whom I have become.
Plenty of nice little premieres had been hiding in daily life as well: Two glasses of white wine already in the morning, thanks to Ron and Frankfurt market (new for me), followed by KFC chicken (new for him). An absolutely festive birthday dinner, cooked specially for me. Meringue with fruits on the terrace of new friends in Erfurt. Finding out with Olaf at the hygiene museum in Dresden that too much orange flavour smells of goat.
And next year? For us, it will begin in Bratislava. It will maybe bring a new book, but certainly an American voice for my phonetics book. With me as organiser, the 3D convention of the DGS will take place in Weimar. I feel sick whether everything will be alright. Also we shall purchase rings.
To the pleasure of seeing you again next year — Frank
+49 163 777 3243
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