Heimat o Heimat

I should be working. I’ve got a lot to do.

But I just got home from working with my all time favorite group; a group of intelligent, sensitive, fun, interesting women. We spend our time together talking about any and everything. As David once astutely observed (after having read a vocabulary list from one of our weekly sessions), “Ihr habt ja gar keinen roten Faden” (You guys don’t have a central theme).
Right, David. We don’t. And that’s the wonderful thing about it. We don’t. We talk about God and the world. And everything in between.

Today, towards the end of our session we got to talking about current news and some of the more painful happenings in our quaint little world tucked away here in the Alps. We touched on a subject too frightening and too painful to even comprehend.

I don’t want to get into anything specific here because the national and international journalists (I’m using this term very loosely here) are getting enough mileage from it without my help.

But current affairs do bring up a subject that does beg discussion - the subject of victimization. Specifically, the victimization of women and children.

Victimization seems fairly cut and dried to me. You have the criminal and then you have the victim. The criminal is the perpetrator and the victim is the one perpetrated upon (so to speak).
Seems simple enough. But it’s not.

It’s not because some very sick part of society wants desperately to somehow blame the victim for what has befallen her. Why, for God’s sake, didn’t she do something about it? Why didn’t she just escape or something. Why did she ALLOW this to happen to her in the first place (I’m not even going to start a tirade on skirts being too short or too much make up). Any normal person would have planed and executed a cunning escape. No normal person would have been intimidated enough to allow such victimization.

It’s all so terribly easy, from an intellectual standpoint. Women are so damn weak. Get it together, girls. Pull yourself up by your pubic hairs.  (Just goes to show you that we need more gumption, more guts, more ummph.)

Our society helps to create the victim. Our society helps women and children to slip into the revolting pattern of victimization; the belief that yes, we are somehow at fault. The belief that men know better. The belief that we are indeed somehow weaker; inferior to our counterparts.

And yes, once in the pattern of victimization, it is damned hard to get out.

I’m sure there are lots of people out there much more qualified than I to talk about the psychological aspects of victimization and the reasons behind it. And there are also lots of women out there who have been victims and who now are able to look back at terrible, unspeakable happenings and can speak volumes about tyranny, oppression, aggression, power, patriarchism, authoritarianism, fear, paralyzation, impotence and self-hate.

I too have been a victim. 
Although I have always strived to make as little as possible of my private life public  (as little as is possible for a person who is as publicly accessible as I am), I’d like to briefly mention my own private hell. My own private inadequacies, how I ALLOWED myself to become a victim.
I was stalked for over two years by a jilted lover.
I spent two years of my life living in terror and being a victim. I spent two years of my life watching a man drive ahead of me (not behind me) to work, two years of my life getting hundreds of phone calls per day (and night), two years of my life being afraid of going home in the dark, two years practicing with my child how not to go with anybody, not even with those you know and believed you trusted, two years of emotional prison. And I ALLOWED it to happen, because I was afraid and somehow believed that it was my own fault. I finally got help, and the courage to stop the tyranny of a very small man with very large priapic problems. I finally was able to stop being a victim. (Yes, the man who did this to me is still reading up on me in internet and is certainly reading this post. I know because I keep tabs on him and his IP address. So hello, dear RG. I am no longer your victim, and I am no longer afraid of you).

I realize that this is small beans in comparison to what has been going on here in our charming little country of bourgeois lawn tenders (and in comparison to that which is happening around us every day, both hidden and public).
But it certainly does give me a breathtakingly close perspective.

I am not a feminist. I am a humanist. I am a believer in the importance and value of every person; woman or man. And it is here that this belief and the everyday practices of society diverge.
We can’t allow this to continue. We have got to learn to say no to authoritarian patriarchies. We have got to learn to say no to aggression and oppression.
We have got to teach our daughters (and ourselves) that they (we) are strong, that they (we) have an innate value and worth and that nobody has the right to oppress, tyrannize and victimize them (us).

Here are some good links. Read them, but be aware that their language is not quite as sweet as mine. So if you’re under 18 or terribly sensitive, skip ‘em. 
I blame the patriarchy
BitchPhD

Stop the victimization of women and children dead in its tracks. 

josef fritzl amstetten austria victimization patriarchy oppression tyranny oppression aggression power patriarchism authoritarianism fear paralyzation impotence

Do you want to work at a great company? Then get a job at the Sparkasse Neuhofen.  They were named Austrian Employer of the Year 2008 by Great Place to Work Institute. Pretty special, considering that they only have about 58 employees (I hope I counted right, they’re all listed by name on the home page). Omicron Electronics (Klaus) came in 2nd place, followed by ARDEX Baustoffe (Loosdorf), Western Union Financial Services (Vienna) and Procter & Gamble (Vienna).

What did these companies do to be named Austrian Employer of the Year? Well, first they got nominated by their employees. Then Great Place to Work anonymously surveyed the employees of all nominated companies concerning the following issues:

- the rapport between employees and management,
- employees’ relationship towards their tasks and duties, and towards the organisation,
- and the relationship between the employees themselves.

And let’s admit it. The employees of these companies probably are more productive than employees of other (less employee friendly) companies. Why? Because they seem to enjoy going to work - unless they were coerced into nominating their employers and then giving positive answers in the anonymous survey (doubtful).
I assume they simply like their jobs and the people they work with. 

Having a positive opinion of your daily tasks, the company you work for and your colleagues can certainly make work a lot less like “work” and a lot more like “fun”.

Wouldn’t it be great if all companies were striving for this title?

austrian employer of the year sparkasse neuhofen omicron electronics great place to work

I was perusing Pink Tentacle this morning and I found an interesting item.

Seems a bank robbery took place in the Ladprao branch of the Government Savings Bank (GSB) in Bangkok last week. An unidentified thief absconded with 200,000 Baht (according to the conversion chart of Bank Austria, that’s about 3,952.57 Euros, or 5,640.32 Dollars, which wouldn’t be enough for me to want to rob a bank, but that’s another story altogether).

Now, I can’t really tell you exactly how the robbery took place (see for yourself), but I can imagine that it was very arresting (excuse the pun) for the other bank customers. It’s not every day that you get to be involved in a bona fide bank robbery, especially when you weren’t expecting it (but then again, who in the world would? One generally doesn’t wake up in the morning with the intention of being witness to a riveting bank robbery, does one?).

At any rate, and to continue my story; unfortunately for the bank robber and fortunately for the police, there were eyewitnesses. Fortunately for the bank robber and unfortunately for the police, he was wearing a motorcycle helmet at the time of the robbery.

The witnesses duly reported what they saw and the Royal Thai Police have released a sketch to aid in his capture.

Admittedly, it may be difficult to identify the culprit from this sketch, but at least they’re following all the leads, bless their little hearts.

I guess we can’t say the same for the Austrian Police, who evidently didn’t do their best for 10 year old Natascha Kampusch, who was kidnapped in 1998 and wasn’t heard of again until her escape in 2006. According to press, reports containing concrete suspicions about Wolfgang Priklopil (her kidnapper) remained unread and her whereabouts unknown until she took advantage of the moment one fine day and saved herself (if you want something done right, then do it yourself).

Well, it just goes to show you - the (Austrian) police is indeed your friend and helper (but only if you’re a criminal).

Thailand bank robber natascha kampusch austrian police kidnapping wolfgang priklopil

How frustrating! I have tried several times to leave comments on and send trackbacks to the real Dichand blog, but they never make the “cut”. I wouldn’t have expected censor from a newspaper editor!

Hey, Mr. Dichand, isn’t that the point behind blogging - free exchange of information. Hmmm. Something’s wrong here…

Curious.

Hans Dichand started blogging. (He’s the editor of the Austrian tabloid Krone Zeitung -I couldn’t find anything about him in wikipedia in English, so you’ll just have to put up with some German.)
Well, you say, that’s no new news. And true, most Austrians have, by this time, already heard that. Perhaps even those of us who don’t blog.

But have you heard how many Hans Dichands are blogging?

At last count there were two of them (this figure could rise). 
Exciting, huh?. We now not only have the opportunity to get a deeper understanding of his views by reading the Krone, but we can also wade through his blog and the blog of his double (which I prefer, personally).

Judging from the real HD’s reaction, I don’t think he’s all that happy about being parodied. Frankly though, I think somebody is paying him much more attention than he needs.
If he’s lucky, he’ll even make the front page of the Krone - bold 64 point type.

…

By the way, for all of you who are trying to learn German, this is a great learning tool. The sentences in the Krone are short and simple enough to be easily read even by non-German speakers. You will, however, have to excuse the typos, incorrect grammar and content.

Hans Dichand blogging double boulevard press Krone Zeitung

What’s with the story about the Austrian woman, her daughter and the deceased rabbit?

I don’t know if you pay attention to stuff like this, but I just couldn’t get around this one. According to, ahhh, ehhhmm, news  sources (also here, or even in a foreign language) and several blogs, there was an interesting incident in Baden the other day.

According to reports, the pet bunny of a certain Hilda Morgenstein passed away of unknown causes. She (Hilda) and her daughter decided, it seems, to bury the lifeless hare in the countryside. With the expired bunny in a bag, they purportedly were waiting for a train to take them to an undisclosed place to do just that.

(We, of course,  all know the crime rate around here and it’s implications for travelers. Hilda and her daughter, however, did not.)

As they were waiting, dead-bunny-bag in hand, a pair of muggers allegedly took advantage of the moment and made off with said bag. (Weren’t they surprised when they saw the “loot”).

Hilda, evidently deciding not to complicate the situation further, told her daughter that they were angels and were taking the departed bunny to a better place.

….

This just has to remind you of the famous story of some family on vacation in Turkey, whose Grandmother dies (with them, on vacation). In order to avoid a bureaucratic nightmare, they roll her up in a rug (bought specifically for this purpose) and tie her to the roof of the car and begin the journey home. Whilst on a coffee and/or potty break the car, rug and the defunct Grandmother are all stolen. (Angels took her to a better place?)

Have we all gone daft?

Hey, I just registered yesterday for the barcamp in Klagenfurt (February 2+3 2008 at the Alpen-Adria University in Klagenfurt, Carinthia). I went last year too, and that’s what got me blogging . Okay, truthfully told, I was there because Ed thought it would be a good idea. And he turned out to be right (as usual, sigh).

The really exciting thing about this barcamp - and the thing that makes it different than the other barcamps - is all in the name “Sensa Confini”.  This barcamp is geared for people from Austria, Italy and Slovenia/Croatia. And, even more wonderful for us English speakers, it will be held primarily in English.
And a good thing too, ’cause I wouldn’t have translated for you anyway.

So get your traveling shoes on and come on down!

(I hear some mutterings in the background) You don’t know what a barcamp is?

Come on! Join the real world!

A barcamp is an un-conference for topics around technology, web 2.0 and social media (I got that out of the homepage). And more importantly (again out of the homepage) A BarCamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from participants.

And it’s interesting, informative and just a bit fun.

If you want to do some reading about it then look here, here or here  (that’ll help you polish up your German).

Here’s the link to get registered and here’s the link to the official site (at least I think it is). It’s definitely worth a visit. I learned a whole bunch the last time and that really gave me the confidence to jump on the band-wagon, as it were. I recommend it to everybody who is interested in technology or web 2.0.

Let’s get lots of us foreigners down there (or up there, depending where you are). I hate always being the token one.
Look forward to seeing you!

barcamp sensa confini klagenfurt alpen-adria university english italy slovenia croatia

Seems our ex vice-chancellor (Hubert Gorbach, for those who don’t remember who I mean) is looking for new challenges, now that he has none in Austria.

News channels report that he sent a letter to Alistair Darling - looking (or not) for something interesting to do, because … the world in Vorarlberg is too small for him (and for most others too, I’d imagine).

I can almost understand him. Must have been downright exciting being the right hand man of our dear friend JH, and in comparison, it must be pretty boring now, sitting around in that little alpine world, looking for fun and finding none.

Wasn’t a bad idea, either. If you can’t find what you’re looking for at home, then set your sights on more global goals.
Go international!
Put on your traveling shoes and join the world!

Unfortunately for his job prospects, his letter looked like this.

I don’t want to rag on his politics, but his English certainly has room for improvement.

Oh well. Looks like he’s staying in Vorarlberg anyway for the time being.

[hubert gorbach english skills]

I don’t know if you speak German, but I do.
If you do too, you might like this blog. It’s kind of fun to read about crazy Americans as seen by crazy German speaking Europeans.

I like that sort of thing.

There’s a great post from the weekend about how German speaking Europeans are afraid of draughts  (drafts for those English speakers who only speak American). Isn’t it true? Have you ever tried to open a window in Austria? The first thing you hear is, “Mach zu, es zieht. Ich verkühle mich sonst.” 

Austrian Angst.

So anyway, in case you don’t know yet, I have a son. He goes to school here, and in Austria it’s customary for kids to wear house shoes during school (like Birkenstocks, for instance). I assume it’s an effort to keep the floors clean, in case anybody wants to eat their lunch off them.

At any rate, my son is good about taking his sneakers off, but not so good about the Birkenstock part. He runs around in his stocking feet, a fact that makes his teachers go wild.
Now do you think his teachers go wild because his socks are hard to wash (as in, they feel for me and my washing machine)?
Noooooooo, of course not. They’re wild because, “Du machst deine Nieren kaputt, wenn du bloßfüßig herum läufst” (You’ll ruin your kidneys running around in your stocking feet).

I never realized that kidneys and feet were so closely related.

Isn’t that weird. Isn’t that completely Austrian.
I mean honestly, where is the connection between the feet and the kidneys? Is that the same connection between the draught and the cold?

How about this one - “Wenn du kalte Getränke trinkst, bekommst du Halsweh.” (If you drink cold drinks, you’ll get a sore throat).
Do I have to mention how many Americans should be running around with sore throats? Have you ever ordered a Coke in America? Have you ever been served a tepid one?
I think drinking warm beverages does more for the green house effect than for the throat.

Here’s one of my absolute favorites - ”Sitz nicht auf dem Boden - oder auf Mauern - in Monaten, die mit “r” enden” (Don’t sit on the ground - or stone walls - during months ending in “r”).
If you do, you’ll get salpingitis (Eileiterentzündung). I had to look that one up in Leo, because I’ve never needed to refer to this condition in English, save ever having suffered it.

I guess Americans just have tougher fallopian tubes than the average German speaking European.

austrian angst draught cold drinks kidneys sore throat

How fun!

For  those of you who will never come here haven’t been here yet, here’s an exciting glimpse of rush hour traffic on our main road - as seen from the viewpoint of one of our best, most responsible moped drivers.
Notice his time-saving use of most of the lanes and, as needed, the sidewalk. (Hey, he probably pays all his taxes, so he probably owns all the road. Right?)

Ahhh, Carinthia. You gotta love it. (Where men are men, and pedestrians are scared)

fast moped dangerous driver carinthian traffic ossiacher zeile

Did you read the news yesterday? Our friend JH wants to ban headscarves here in Austria.

Hey, if he gets that, then I want a couple of things changed around here, too.

For one thing, I want an aboslute ban on socks and sandals. And I don’t care what all you Germans say. It looks stupid.
And while we’re at it, let’s get rid of the nylons-over-unshaven-legs-thing. It’s gross. Especially with white nylons; it’s got to go. 
What about Izods with upturned collars - get over it, you guys. Those days are over and gone!

Why doesn’t anybody ask me what needs to be banned. I’ve got a whole list.

If Jörg gets his headscarves, then I want something done about the sandal thing.

Fair is fair.

headscarves ban jörg haider kopftuch

I never knew that Carinthia (Southern Austria, for those of you who will never come here haven’t been here yet) was such a well-discussed corner of the world.

Admittedly, most of you probably have already exchanged jokes about Jörg Haider  (think far right and nervous foreigners) and have perhaps discussed the pros and cons of Kärntner Nudeln (ravioli looking noodle products filled with mint (!) and cheese) and undoubtedly snorted over the bilingual city sign woes (see again JH) - but who on earth could ever have expected this amount of attention?

Both on-line PR experts, my pal Ed  and FastenYourSeatbelts (she blogs in English too, so don’t be scared), are going to town about where and how Carinthia Tourism advertises.

Hey, whether or not they originally placed their banners wisely, they’re sure getting great coverage now.  I’ll bet their blog stats are climbing and the reservations are rolling in (hotel and pizzeria owners can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Another season saved).

Just goes to show you; it doesn’t really matter what you say or where you say it - it’s who reads it that counts.  And nowadays (in the web 2.0 era) it may pay to place an advertising faux pas (providing the right people notice your blunder, and then the right people notice the people who noticed).

Think about that the next time you put pen to paper or finger to keyboard. Communication is definitely changing, in a network sort of way.

And happy traveling in Lei-Lei-Land (providing you can still find a room).

carinthian advertising kärnten werbung

Well, there is if you hang out at the McDonald’s in Villach. Here’s a clip of a traditional Carinthian puberty dance.
Shhh, be quiet. We don’t want to frighten them off…

You gotta love boys, sie sind so verspielt.

villach mcdonald streakers flitzer