Per la Mercè

Aquest cap de setmana vaig estar casa. Eren les festes de la Mercè i a més podria per fi celebrar al meu aniversari amb els de casa, que són els que més m'estimo. Que més es pot demanar ?

Tambè vaig retrobar vell amics de l'EGB, aquells records han quedat grabats per sempre. Recordant velles històries de professors, companys i mil aventures. Tots nosaltres vàrem aprendre a llegir , sumar , jugar , riure i plorar junts, i aquestes vivències marquen per sempre. Puc dir amb orgull que van ser uns anys molt feliços, no teniem ni Playstations, ni mòbils , alguns varen trigar a tenir la primera televisió a color, i el video era només pels més provilegiats. El primer ordinador personal no va arrivar fins molt més tards. Molt pocs duien roba de marca, i les vacances les feiem al poble. Recordo que al professor se'l tractava amb respecte i no soliem insultar a dins de classe, al pati però era diferent. No era dels alumnes amb les notes més brillants, però els meus gols de falta al pati van crear solera. Ignoràvem a les noies de la classe i a les dels cursos inferiors, i sempre somniavem amb les de 8è, més fetes però totalment inabastables. Existia el companyerisme i la fidelitat i s'ens transmitien valors i normes de conducta. Cal destacar que vaig tenir la sort que a casa els meus pares sempre es preocupessin pel que feia. Malgrat el meu caràcter a vegades especial era feliç tot i tenir menys que altres companys.

Veure Barcelona de Festa Major és una gran experiència, i que puc dir del fet de còrrer pels carrers de la teva ciutat, que tot i lesionat, i amb un temps final per oblidar, és tot un orgull. Tambè una mica de platja tot i el temps variable m'ha anat molt bé.
I mentre deixo al meu gat Llampec, que està una mica emprenyat amb tant moviment a casa, tornaré a Munich per la feina i una mica de diversió a l'Oktoberfest, Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit !

Catalunya perplexa

No és la primera vegada que visc la diada lluny de la meva estimada terra.
Vaig llegir un article al diari que es feia resó d'un estudi de l'Institut d'Estudis Catalans que veu la societat catalana desorientada i confosa davant dels importants canvis polítics, socials i econòmics que s'han viscut durant l'any 2007. Crec que discrepo d'aquest estudi.

Durant els prop de 23 anys de govern del President Pujol, es va construir el pais, certament desestructurat socialment per tants anys de dictadura, peró amb un important potencial econòmic i industrial, es varen construir escoles, crear universitats, noves carreteres , hospitals, es va aplicar democràticament la normativa lingüistica. Dins de la societat catalana es va forjar una certa actitut d'autoestima, el catalans no eren estimats arreu d'Espanya però si en canvi respectats. Les esquerres sempre van voler dinamitar aquest oasi català, a vegades amb l'ajut de la dreta espanyola, com el cas de la LOAPA, i desde Catalunya fomentant la politica del NO. Desde Madrid, i a vegades desde Catalunya, es fomentava la politica del "totxo" en comptes de consolidar el teixit industrial.
El somni de les esquerres era tombar el pujolisme, i tant sols amb la seva retirada política ho varen assolir. Ho van escenificar al Salo del Tinell i al balcó de la plaça de Sant Jaume, corejant el aleshores candidat Zapatero, un senyal desde aquell dia Catalunya no es dirigiria desde el despatx de la Generalitat.
Calia moure la societat de pol nacionalista al pol social, aixecar les catifes, netejar les institucions, deien, de corrupció i amiguismes, inclus de traidors. No varen trobar res, i ara ells practiquen l'amiguisme. Hi va haver una eufòria, una borratxera progessista i alternativa. Que s'ha aconseguit doncs en aquests 5 anys ?
El català ha reculat de manera alarmant, TV3 te les pitjors quotes d'audiència de la seva història, les institucions desprestigiades, la Sanitat desbordada, més inmigració de la que es pot absorbir, les Universitats enfrontades, deslocalitzacions de les empreses, l'Estatut referendat pel poble que pateix una retallada espectacular, i sempre tenen la barra de culpar de 23 anys de pujolisme per les mancances que ells tenen quan no saben governar, i tenen un president que necessita fer tots els discursos amb guio.

Jo discrepo d'aquest estudi. La societat catalana no està ni desorientada ni confosa ni perplexa. La societat catalana el que està és anestesiada, aborrida, desmotivada i fastiguejada pel desgovern i la barra que tenen els politics de falses promeses i deslleialtat.

Els temps canvien i la societat canvia més depressa que les persones. Pero el que no canvia es que Catalunya necessita un cop de timó, un lideratge, que no vol dir un capdill, que retorni la il.lusió i possi Catalunya ben amunt. Necessitem gent motivada, amb il.lusio pel pais, amb esperit col.lectiu, i no egoistes amb ansies de poder, i aixó val per tothom. Molts pensen que amb la independència tot seria millor, i jo els hi pregunto, i el país qui el construeix ? Amb lleis de l'abortament i decrets de la memòria històrica ? Tenim una crisi econòmica greu, la gent perdrà la feina i molt més. Cal plantar cara a Madrid i reclamar que es compleixi la llei, volem que es compleixi el que marca l'Estatut. Si no ho fan aleshores si que ens quedarem tots perplexos.

PAX Russia

This past weeks we have seen one of the most critical situations in Europe since the war in Kosovo. While the world was amazed with the world records of Phelps and Bolt in the Olympics, in the Caucasus , in Georgia, a conflict for the control of the breakaway provinces of Osetia and Abkhazia has bring back Cold War memories. An impulsive and irresponsible move from the president Mikheil Saakashvili sending attacks against the separatist was the perfect excuse for Medvedev to ocupate the country. From Russia Vladimir Putin, officially on the second line but still considered the most powerful man in the country, accuses the U.S. of orchestrating the Georgian war to benefit McCains election. Since the disintegration of the USSR in 1990, Russia has lost influence in East Europe and Southwest Asia. Poland, Czech Republic have signed military treaties with the U.S. , the Baltic republics, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary are now full members of the E.U. , while Ukraine is looking towards NATO and E.U.

It is well known the strategic location of Georgia, a country where gas and oil pipelines make their way to Turkey and the West. Control of energy sources and transportation could be a reason, but also political control. It is an answer to the Western countries after their recognition of Kosovo last year, all in name of the protection of the russian citizens. But more conflicts are ready to begin in the region. Russia control a few ports in Ukraine and Crimea where it hosts its still powerful Black Sea Navy.

I was a few days ago in Estonia and Lithuania, the local media observe this conflict with special attention, specially due to the fact that many russian citizens work and live there. The current world market and energy crisis is also affecting these young democracies, and that could bring instability to the region.

Will Russia also use the force to recover control of the old Soviet Republics ?, that's very unrealistic, but Russia is still a big player to be taken into account, nobody wants to comeback to the Cold War era , but we want to believe , and in name of the peace, that the international community will try to use their finest diplomacy tactics to bring back balance in this conflict. Sakorzy and the E.U. made some efforts to address the situation, even forcing the signature of a treat to guarantee the retrieval of the russian troops, but they still control a third of the georgian territory. This situation of apparent violation of the international law will pass without change because the world has no moral authority to bring peace and justice, while still allow people like Mugave stay in power, or shut the eyes while innocent people was killed in Tibet a few months ago.

Too many fronts , too many conflicts, but we still have hope and a long way in front of us ...

Projecte Keito I

Son les 6 del mati, al moll de l'est en Peter espera l'arribada del vaixell procedent de Marsella. Els primers vaixells de pescadors arriben despres d'una llarga nit feinant a unes quantes milles de la costa, mentre la lleugera brisa del mati i la sal del mar li desperten els sentits. Allà es troba ell, esperant al seu contacte, pero dessitjaria que no li haguessin encomenat aquesta ordre. Tot just fa tres mesos que va tornar de Bangkok i esperava que no el tornarien a cridar desde la oficina del doctor Land, perquè ara ? Ja fa temps que espera noticies de la Kate. No va tenir temps de dir-li el que havia descobert, no serà massa tard ara?
Tot va començar una freda tarda de febrer a Brusel.les, en Peter solia frequentar la Llibreria Remi, aquell llibres antics el fascinaven. Hi havia joies de d'art , història, tractats de medicina, ciències ...

The Promised Land

After more than 10 hours flight I've landed in Houston. This is my second adventure in the States. The first was in 2005 in New York to see U2 in concert. This time will be work related.

At the control the police officer made a few questions and after I told him I will be in one stage at NASA put the stamp in my passport. With a electric blue Dodge Caliber I make my way towards south in a five lanes Freeway, in a sunny, hot a humid afternoon, with rock music in the radio, it's fantastic ... After a week in Texas I can make a first description of how I find this society. American people are special, they have built this country with hands from different classes and origins. What make american people so special ? During generations this people had to work very hard from nothing to build a future in this vast country. Politicaly more liberal than most European countries and at the same time very conservative with their traditions, they had to make a compromise to live all together whatever the origin of its people or whatever the colour of their skin was. Italians, Irish, Polish, Germans, Russian, Asians, Hispanics, all these generations now belong to this nation without any distinction.

Wherever I go, either restaurants or shops, I receive an excellent service, everybody is polite and they apologize if the touch you accidentanly when passing a floor or in the stairs. Entering a store the first thing they will say to you with a smile will be "How are you today sir". I think for them it's normal, it's just us that we lost manners in Europe. I also feel quite secure, probably the September attacks made their society change quite a bit. Everywhere I can see hughe masts with american flags of all sizes. I try not to forget though that is better don't to get into trouble with anybody specially when you go unarmed and without forgeting I am a foreigner and completely alone. A lot of things are too large for me like distances, cars, trucks, food portions, and people. Oh man, there are lots of fat guys around, but somebody told me this is changing and people try now to eat more healthy and also to do sports. It is also very prizely specially now when the Euro is so strong, so going shopping is a temptation that needs to be under control.

It is hot and humid now in south Texas , but at least there aren't mosquitos and this is a relieve. The hurricane season has just now started, and I've noticed that highways have signs of evacuation.

In NASA I've met fantastic people, very professional. They treat me very well, learning their job , and even having luch with an astronaut, what else can I ask for ? Here people work very hard, have less holidays than we do in western Europe, but nobody complains. Work is sacred for them, somehow we should import this kind of commitment into Europe. It is not strange that this country is still the first economy in the world. I feel also winds of change here, if Obama makes a good campaign he will become the next US president, and I think many people here want it and probably the world also wants it.

Of course I wouldn't import most of their customs, and I probably wouldn't live in this country, but I definitely have a good impression of them , you can't blame these people because their politicians are driving their job in the wrong direction. There are a lot of good people in this country, that's what I learned.

A night with The Police

When a legendary band is planing a return always comes to my mind that there are some reasons behind, mostlikely comercial. I have seen some unsuccesful returns , or others that are just not able to create. Only a few bands have the privilege to still be on the top my beloved U2. Some others like The Stones, Bruce Springsteen, are still on the race and with legions of fans that never will let them alone. And now when a band like The Police is planing the return after 20 years of silence it's a reason to jump for joy. A legend is back ! I was a kid when I heared on the radio So lonely, and somehow jelous of my neighbours, bigger than me wearing cool leather jackets with a Police T-shirt. I regret when last year I missed the european leg of the World Tour due to work issues ( so sad ) . The greatest Hits ! The comeback for the delight of many generations of fans. But sometimes there is a second chance for repairing a mistake, so when I was one day randomly checking on the web I found out they were playing in Leipzig on saturday. A great opportunity I could not let go this time, so I've contacted my friends Nadine and Nicole and every was arranged.
The concert took place in the Messehalle, not the best place for a concert, and with an audience of all ages, mainly on their late 40s. They open fire with an stoned version of Message in a Bottle, when Andy Summers started to play his guitar, Stewart Copeland the drums, and Sting with his great voice, I had to jump holding my camera while taking pictures. The stage was a bit low, but a big screen was projecting excellent pictures to the audience. Let's recognize it , they are in the late 50, but what the hell ! How many bands sound like this with so little special effects ! Roxanne, So Lonely, Regatta De Blanc, Don't Stand So Close Me, Can't Stand Losing You, one great hit after the other. Great moments like Everything You Take, and with every song every person having a flashback to great passed moments. They're in great form, and Sting still keeps his voice in a good shape. Another great moment with The Invisible Sun, displaying pictures for children in the third world with a message of hope at the end.
And the germans are so quite .... Ok this is fine because nobody pushes you and try to get your place, but I expected the crowd to shout louder ! In Barcelona surely was different. I like Sting, this gentle expression while signing, and so compromised with the third world. I don't remember seeing Mick Jagger ever going to Africa to help people.
The night will continue in a Club in Leipzig , with 80s Music and great company, and pretty girls around, what else will bring me the night ?

Das kommt mir Katalanisch vor

Ich bin heute sehr glücklich. Einige Monate nach der Frankurter Messe wurde meine Muttersprache nicht mehr so Trend wie in die letzten Tage.

Ein Herr Hunold, CEO der Air Berlin, hat sich mit eine politischer, interessierte und arrogante Editorial ein bißchen lustig gemacht. www.airberlin.com/jumppages/magazin.php)

Es wurde alles anfangen wenn die balearischen Landesregierung die Air Berlin angefordet hatte um die katalanische Sprache als Kommunikation mit ihren Kunden in der Balearen zu verwenden.

Oh mann, das hat den Herr Hunold und sein Stellvertreter in Spanien Herr Middelmann schon irritiert.

Hunold kritisiert die Politik als Rückschritt, die spanische Sprache werde benachteiligt und sei praktisch keine offizielle Sprache mehr. Ihm sei versichert worden, dass es schon heute auf Mallorca Dörfer gebe, in denen Kinder kein Spanisch mehr könnte. Er spricht als Rückfall in der mitteralterische kleinstaaterei, daß Spanisch keine offizielle Sprache mehr ist.

Das ist ja seltsam, der CEO eine große Unternehmen der über Politik so frech sich äussert, oder? Deutsche sind klug genug mit solche Probleme sich nicht zu mischen. Jede Deutsche die in die Balearen oder nach Katalonien Urlaub gemacht hat, weißt schon daß die Katalanen sehr stolz mit ihre Sprache sind, aber auch daß wir eine öffenne und multikulti Volk sind. Ich bin der Meinung daß diesen Brief in Madrid geschrieben wurde. Ich habe mich entschieden um ein Brief direkt an Herr Hunold zu schicken. Vielleicht wird er mein Brief direkt in die Mühlheimer werfen, aber zumindest ich will daß kein Mensch meine Rechte als Katalaner verhindert werden kann. Kein spanisches König auch nicht Franco könnte der katalanische Sprache vernichten, auch keine ausländische Unternehmen wird. Seit 10 Jahre wohne ich bin in Deutschland und ich habe die Sprache und die Kultur immer respektiert, ich bin ein Europäer, und ich glaube in ein Europa ohne Grenzen aber auch in eine multikultureles Europa mit mehr als tausend Jahre Gesichte, und keine hat der Recht der Sprache eines Volks zu beleidigen. Ich bitte Air Berlin um eine Rücktritt ihre Editorial, es ist schon zu viel geschrieben und diskutiert, und wir wollen keine Konflikt haben.

Oh je, Holland hat 3-0 Italien gespielt ... ciao Italia ...