Berlin Day 1 Wednesday 7th

Day 1

Our first full day in Berlin was an eye opener.  Firstly we realised that the train station was less than a hundred yards from the Park Inn Hotel where we were staying. On our arrival the previous night we took a taxi from the Airport which set us back 40 euro. The train fair was 2.80 each.  Something to bear in mind for the next time.  Wednesday morning was spent on a city bus tour which took us through from East - West Berlin and lasting 2 hrs it gave us a fair idea of the City and its most important aspects. Temperatures were touching the low 20's so it was very pleasent indeed. Again one was struck by the pure vastness of the place and the enormity of its amenities. Very iser friendly.  Wide Boulevards edged by large Autumnal Parks.  We were falling in love with the place already.....and we barely looked at shops.  WOW !

Berlin

Art Rant

      

                                                    What makes me MAD.

When it comes to Art I can truly say there is much, in which I take pleasure.  Be it the skill of the hand or the intelligence of colour and atmosphere applied to the work I can stand back and appreciate true Art.  What I absolutely HATE is the tendency of some artists to give an in depth appreciation of their Artistic style and influence and actually exhaust the limits of ones credulity with a language normally accredited to University Lecturers.  I was reminded of this while reading an Art Magazine recently.  This poor boy was responding to the question, "What are you currently working on and what gave rise to this work?"

His answer was thus: "My practice is a continual process that constantly evolves and transforms.  I see the work as all being part of a greater ' whole'. ( I'm getting lost already).  Recently, my interest in texture and form has enabled my work to develop into three dimensions. Current works are exploring questions thrown up by this transformation in relation to the concerns that are at the core of my work. ( Yawwwn ) These new questions relate to form, space and the relationship with the audience.

If this young man were to be honest and having seen a sample of his' work ' in the mag. he'd have been better saying, " Look ! I went on a bender for a weekend, threw up all over the floor, woke up next morning and said Hey ! that looks good !".

My own Art Philosophy is this: I love nature. If I see something in a scene which makes me gasp, I attempt to capture it on canvas.  That's it !.      I prefer Realism as against Abstract, though some Abstract can be excellent. But Artists should restrict their Abstractions to their Paint works and leave it out of their self assessments.

A Safe Place

I found this lovely story which I encouage you to read at all cost.

   A dear friend of mine who was quite a lover of the chase, told me the following story: “Rising early one morning,” he said, “I heard the baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their quarry. Looking away to a broad, open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making its way across, and giving signs, moreover, that its race was well-nigh run. Reaching the rails of the enclosure, it leaped over and crouched within ten feet from where I stood. A moment later two of the hounds came over, when the fawn ran in my direction and pushed its head between my legs. I lifted the little thing to my breast, and, swinging round and round, fought off the dogs. I felt, just then, that all the dogs in the West could not, and should not capture that fawn after its weakness had appealed to my strength. So is it, when human helplessness appeals to Almighty God.
   

Well do I remember when the hounds of sin were after my soul, until, at last, I ran into the arms of Almighty God.”



A. C. Dixon

19th Anniversary Yesterday.

Yep folks Yesterday was our 19th Anniversary.  Scary thought though, seeing it only feels like a couple of years ago. Still it's great to be able to say we are still in love after all that time. The Lord has been exceptionally good to us in that time. Indeed we can simply say that He supplies all our need.  What a God, what a Saviour.  As a hymn writer once expressed, " Oh ! what a Christ have I !".    Ber is still in love with me too. What a joy she is .

I'm Sick ! I just don't feel sick!

I hate being unwell, particularly when I feel fine. I got up Sunday morning with a rash on both my arms and fingers and feet.  Came home from work last evening with a sore left foot, took off my shoes and socks and, after the house was deemed safe to re-enter discovered a number of very large water blisters. YUCH !  Went to a Doctor this morning and he told me my autoimmune system had flared up. I'm on steroids now ! He wants me to stay out of work for a few days.  I hate being out.  HEY ! am I getting any sympathy here !?

How's your hearing ?

I was reminded of something today.  It takes me back over 30 years, when I was in secondary school.  I was educated...... sorry !  dear people tried to teach me rather, in Rochestown College Co. Cork.  There was a particular priest, Fr. Aengus OFM Cap. who was the most charming and interesting person one could imagine, who was my Art teacher and I suppose my mentor.  Aengus was excellent in relating a good story and boy did he have stories !.  But, I'm drifting from what I want to relay.  I remember one time in Mass he delivered a sermon, which warned about how a message can alter when it is passed down by word of mouth.  This was over 30 years ago and while then a Catholic I would have sat through countless sermons which would have left no impact. Amazingly this one  has always stayed in my thoughts. It's quite a short story but the message is very profound as far as the Gospel Message is concerned. It goes like this.....
  " In the First World War a group of soldiers were in a trench in sight of the enemy lines. Feeling that they had the advantage on their foe, the Commanding Officer sent a message back to the troops a few miles away.  Not having any radio communications, the message was sent via Runners who would each go to a trench, give the word to another who would  then run to the next trench etc. .
     The message was, " SEND REINFORCEMENTS WE'RE GOING TO ADVANCE!".

And so this message was passed by word of mouth via many many trenches until finally the last Runner arrived, breathless but relieved at the main force which was enormous and powerful.  With a sharp intake of breath and great pride he passed on the Message to the Armys General. " SEND THREE AND FOURPENCE, WE'RE GOING TO A DANCE! "

                                                  
A Goood Story with a serious warning.  The Gospel is the greatest Message ever given to any one.  It's a message of Love , Pardon, Forgiveness, GRACE ( i.e. the undeserved Mercy and Favour of God ), with the invitation of Jesus,  "I am the door: by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." John 10:9
 A simple message sent out over 2000 years ago.  Have you heard the Original Message ?  Are you prepared to Advance or are you satisfied to make little of it ?  The wrong message comes with a high cost.  You can still get hold of the message as it was first given, it's called The Holy Bible. It holds a message for you today!.