Diarikom

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

When One Door Closes Another One Opens

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When one door closes another one opens is a popular saying in England. And, some time ago, I heard a true story from Hungary. It was all about Jenö and Marika. Jenö was a very good carpenter and Marika his wife was a brilliant cook.

But, both Jenö and Marika had one thing in common. Doors. And, this is Jenö's and Marika's story.

Once upon a time, Jenö's and Marika's house used to be a very nice little house. It had a back door, a front door, a garden in the front and a garden at the back. All very normal and all very pretty. Then, this nice little house became something unusual.

It became a confusion of doors. A house with many ways in and many ways out.

The first new front door was not long in coming. Jenö and Marika put it in the side of the house – which then became the new front of the house - because it was nearer to where they parked their car. Quite sensible when you think about it. So, now Jenö and Marika had one back of their house, and old front of their house, a new front of their house and one side instead of two! And the dog, which used to be tied up at the back of the house, was then, without being moved, tied up at the front!

Meanwhile, Jenö's business became very successful and Jenö and Marika, because of deliveries of timber, were having to park their car at the last remaining side of the house which didn't have a door. And, this was not very convenient. And so, so as to make life easier still, a new front door was built into this side of the house which was until then neither the front nor the back, but, after the new door had arrived, this side of the house then became another front of the house. Now, three fronts and one back. But, that wasn't all!

In order to make life more comfortable, Jenö and Marika then put a door in the first floor – directly above the original front door - which - by then - had become the latest back door - so, in the mornings, when everyone was rushing to get ready, they didn't have so far to go to get to the kitchen and were able to save one or two seconds by using the new flight of steps which took them down the outside of the house to where the new back door had appeared. That, of course, worked perfectly well provided the back door wasn't looked, which it usually was, so nobody used it!

But, the biggest challenge of all was the bell! Jenö, being creative, had connected all of the doors to the very same bell, so, that when people came calling, Marika had no idea at all as to where her guests actually were, so, she had to run around from one door to the next until she finally found them. And, because people were, on the whole, generally impatient, they started going around and ringing on all of the other doors, too, and, so the confusion continued. When one door closes another one opens, or, at Jenö's and Marika's, there's always a new door to open and shut!

Tuesday, 16 February 2021

Short Essay - Heart Caring Words

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Some Heart Caring Thoughts - by Nigel A JAMES

There are very many people who travel through life without a care in the world. Every thing's fine. So, how does this work?

Firstly, these people have no problems at all. They have none because they don't look at problems as problems! Situations is all that they have. And, situations require action, attention, or nothing. If action is needed - it is taken; and, likewise, if nothing is needed, the whatever it is, is left to cool off and disappear on its own. People with problems always exaggerate. Many so-called problems have no importance at all.

Secondly, people without problems have no principals either. They have rules. Principles are nothing other than excuses – usually weak - to hide behind when trying to avoid things that are not very nice. Bernard Shaw, the great Irish writer, said that only people with no arguments had principles! He was right.

Thirdly, and most importantly, people who never have problems know how to talk to and listen to others. There is no situation that doesn't involve other people. Mostly, a simple expression of understanding is all that's required.

So, what can be done, and what can be learned from those who always come up with smiles on their faces? What sort of people are they?

In the main, they are people who very much like themselves. They are happy with that what they do. They're content.

So, the answer is happiness. Be fun and be happy. This is the meaning of life! If you don't like you're job – get a new one. If you're arrogant – change. We only live once. And, so does everyone else. Bad vibes are contagious. They are always upsetting and can also make people ill.

And, this, too, is important. Happy people are not only not often ill, they live much longer as well! Happiness is a very good thing! So, what can be done for those who are permanently miserable?

Leave them alone. To ignore them is clearly the right thing to do. Avoidance! And, if this doesn't work, then invite them out to go dancing. They will have a wonderful time. And, they, too, will be happy like you.

There are very many people who travel through life without a care in the world. Every thing's fine. So, how does this work? And, what sort of person are you?

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Wednesday, 10 February 2021

Flight to Destination Unknown - Captains Otto Herald and Manfred Pollack

Flight to Destination Unknown - Captains Otto Herald and Manfred Pollak

Otto Herald, a young pilot with Austrian Airlines, was looking forward to Christmas. And, Captain Manfred Pollak also needed a few days off from the routine of flying. They'd had a busy year. And, with snow on the ground, there was a wonderful feeling in town. Vienna was happy and in a good Christmas mood.

But, then, Vienna was thrown into a nightmare. Things had dramatically changed. It was the 22^nd of December, 1975. And, because of this nightmare, Otto Herald and Captain Manfred Pollak were preparing for take-off. Their flight was unscheduled with no return leg and going to destination unknown.

And, then the passengers boarded. A small group of terrorists and their hostages. And, the terrorist leading the terror was Carlos. The most notorious, most feared, most dangerous, and most wanted man in the world. And, the hostages were the oil ministers of OPEC. And, among them, the most powerful of all, Sheikh Yamane of Saudi Arabia.

And, it was just after lunch on the previous day when the story began.

The annual meeting of OPEC oil ministers was nearing its end. Soon, everyone would be on their way home. There was a very good feeling. The meeting had been a success. And, then, without warning, it happened. The nightmare began. The meeting was stormed by Carlos and his small group of terrorists. The oil ministers were now down on the floor with their hands on their heads. Guns speak a very clear language.

And, then the talking began. And, there was nothing that Austria could do. In those days, there were no special forces, and, with one policeman already dead, the terrorist's demands were agreed to in full. Life was more important than principle. And, the terrorist's demands included a message in French to be read out at 2 hourly intervals on the radio, meals and drinks from the Intercontinental Hotel, and a plane to take them and their hostages out of the country. But, of course, a plane needs a crew.

At Austrian Airlines, the call for volunteers went out. A crew was needed. And, two of the many who volunteered were Otto Herald and Captain Manfred Pollak. And, they were selected. And,it was hard to pretend whilst sitting in the cockpit and waiting. This flight was to be different. There were no guarantees. Otto Herald and Captain Manfred Pollak knew they may never return. Now, they were no longer thinking of Christmas.

And, then they were off. They had been cleared for take off to destination unknown. And, as they took off and climbed into the cold winter sky, the world held its breath!

But, they needn't have worried. Everything went off OK. And, their flight turned into a tour of Middle East capitals with a hostage release at each stop. And, when reaching Algiers, Carlos and his gang simply disappeared into thin air. Otto Herald and Manfred Pollak were alone in their plane. The journey had ended. And, before very long, they were on their way home. Now, destination Vienna and Christmas.

But, there was one small story that Otto Herald never forgot.

Because there had been no hostesses on board, it was far too dangerous, Otto Herald had volunteered to serve coffee - Coffee was all that they had. And, everyone was happy. That is to say, all except one. One of the hostages, an oil minister, rudely rejected the offer of coffee and demanded a tea! Otto Herald was unable to help. The oil minister then became even angrier. And then, later, when Otto Herald went to clear-up the dirties, one of the terrorists stopped him. The still non too happy and miserable minister was ordered to clear-up instead. There were to be no more passenger complaints for the rest of the flight. And, that was the worst thing that happened on the flight to destination unknown.

And, 6 months later, Captain Manfred Pollak and Otto Herald were decorated for bravery by the President of Austria. And, of course, both carried on flying and Otto Herald was promoted to captain. And, as everyone knows, captains can never stop flying, and after retirement, both captains spent lots of their time flying their fleets of scale model planes.

But, no models, however impressive, can ever replace the Viscounts, DC9s, and Airbuses which the two men once flew. Life, for these men was up in the sky. And, they never forgot their flight to destination unknown.

Two very courages men, Captain Otto Herald and Captain Manfred Pollak. They volunteered for a Christmas time flight with a difference. A flight where the first officer served coffee - and a hostage cleared up the dirties!

Destination unknown. Captain Otto Herald and Captain Manfred Pollak.

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Monday, 1 February 2021

Diarikom 005 - 2021 - 15 Mins. The Art of Good Sermons - Bruce Duncan

15 Minutes - The Art of Good Sermons

Sermons are simply important for very many people. So, what is a good sermon? What do people want? How can this be answered? Canon Bruce Duncan of Salisbury Cathedral in England has some of the answers.

A good sermon is thoroughly prepared. A quick off-the-cuff 5 minute exchange is no good at all. Sermons are serious things, and hard preparation pays off. But, delivering a sermon isn't only presenting well chosen words; it's how they are spoken that counts. And, in this sense, priests have no help at all. They are on their own in the pulpit. No flip chart, no overhead, no pictures. Nothing at all. That's why well trained voices are essential. Our voices illustrate our words. They are the colour, and the tone, and the depth of our voices. And, just as importantly, one must be heard at the back. Everywhere counts. Our voices must not only carry, but, be understood, too.

Church congregations are made up of different levels of thinking and understanding. Sermons must be in-depth simplicity. But,simplicity is a very high art. Being simple requires very much thought, and, of course, the ability of hearing oneself as others hear us. And, this is good so. That's why preperation and practice are very important. And, not even the cleverest of listeners will ever have problems with words that are simple. We all passed through simple on our ways to where we are now. Sermons are powerful messages for all to take home.

And, sermons are messages that are totally unique. Each priest enjoys the freedom of writing whatever they want in their sermons. The better the sermon, the stronger the message, and, the stronger the message, the higher the lift.

The highs in our lives are the memories we treasure. And, a nice Sunday sermon provides wonderful thoughts for the start of each week. Powerful simplicity. Words that help get us through.

Sermons are important for very many people.

15 Minutes. The Art of Good Sermons.

Click here to listen to interview with Bruce Duncan

Monday, 25 January 2021

Diarikom 004 - 2021 - Horace de Vera Cole and the Dreadnaught

Horace de Vera Cole and the Dreadnaught

A very good hoax is something the British enjoy. And, in 1910, Horace de Vera Cole and a small group of friends carried out an incredible hoax. They made fun of the great Royal Navy.

As it so happened, an Abyssinian prince was paying a visit to England. This was an excellent chance for the prank loving Horace. And, very soon, he and his fun group of friends, which included Virginia Woolf and 2 other members of the Bloomsbury group, were perfecting a plan.

With the help of a university drama club, the group produced some unimaginably very good costumes; and, the makeup was brilliant too. The group then went on their way.

After having cleverly tricked British Railways into providing a VIP luxury coach for the journey, the group travelled down to Weymouth which lay on the coast. And, there, moored in great splendor was HMS Dreadnaught. A fine British battle ship.

The captain and crew had been informed in advance of the Abyssinian visit. A very realistic Foreign Office telegram had been sent. The Dreadnaught was ready and waiting. The Abyssinian prince and his delegation were whistled on board and saluted. A tour of the ship and a very fine lunch then went without saying. And, before disembarking, the Abyssinian prince bestowed an Abyssinian medal of honor on the captain. A traditional Abyssinian thank you.

The party that night was a party that London never forgot. The Dreadnaught Hoax, as it had become known, was the talk of the town. Everyone thought it was funny. And, the fun carried on until morning. But, then, came a knock on the door!

It was the navy. The group was arrested and taken back down to Weymouth. This time third class not VIP. There was the Dreadnaught. It was waiting for them. The group was marched back on board. This time to a different kind of whistling. The captain was not very happy.

Each member of the group, except Virginia Woolf, was made to bend over and given three symbolic whips on the buttocks, and all to the very hearty cheers of the crew. But, of course, this wasn't the end of the story.

The captain and officers of the Dreadnaught invited Horace de Vera Cole and his friends for a wonderful lunch. The Dreadnaught had been cleverly tricked. The Royal Navy, too, enjoy very good pranks, and, of course, are very good losers. All very good fun and all very British.

Horace de Vera Cole and the Dreadnaught

Sunday, 17 January 2021

Diarikom - 003 - 2021 - Paradise Back - Rebecca HUGHES

Paradise Back

One summer morning, Rebecca walked into her garden. It was a beautiful day. Sunshine, blue skies, colours and song. But, something was wrong. Paradise was hurting. No buzzing to be heard. 12 bees were all Rebecca could find. A tragedy. Something had to be done.

So shocked was Rebecca that she set about becoming a bee keeper. She would bring back the bees.

Rebecca started reading books, going on courses, watching videos, and, most importantly, getting to know other liked minded people. Rebecca found no shortage of help. Bee keepers are passionate people.

And, then, one day, came Rebecca's first hive and her very first swarm. This was a very special day. Friends in their thousands moved into her garden. And, these thousands of friends very quickly took over.

And, now, all these years later, there's a very big buzz in the air. And, the bees are happy as well. Rebecca has turned a very large part of her garden into a bed of wild flower beauty. Wild flowers make wonderful honey.

And, Rebecca has not only honey, she has wax and propolis, too. All wonderful natural gifts. Gifts that give light, heal, and keep hunger away. And, what could be better than a nice honey sandwich and a nice glass of mead?

And, at the end of each day, Rebecca goes into her garden and says thank you. Her very many very little friends do a wonderful job. Paradise is no longer hurting. Rebecca has brought back the bees. The days of only 12 bees are long, long ago.

Rebecca Hughes – Paradise Back.

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INTERVIEW

Listen to Rebecca Hughes talking to Nigel A JAMES on Talk 49

Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Diarikom - Week 2 - 2021 - Opposites

Opposites

Some thinking that is totally opposite from all that you have ever believed in –

by Nigel A.JAMES

Everything, everyone believes,has an opposite. Black is the opposite of white and days and nights are opposites, too. And, so on, and so on. But, the one thing that nobody knows is that the opposite is true! There are, in fact, no opposites at all!

This may come as a very big surprise to you, but, it is only a question of logic, or, if you prefer, a matter of pure common sense. At first sight, you will want to believe that the opposite of what I’m about to say is the truth; but, because there are, as we have already established, no opposites at all, the opposite is in fact true. It's all a question of balance.

A balance is a very important thing for everybody. It is a thing that everyone needs, and, the reason for this is really quite simple: man is a very unbalanced creature; and, in order to be balanced, he needs, and he strives for, what is commonly known as a “balanced life”.

So, what is a balanced life? A so-called balanced life consists of 2 basic factors, and everything else depends upon these. The first is the state of waking and sleeping; and, the second is working and leisure. These are the states that everyone needs in order to live. But, if you were to say that these two points are, in reality, really 4 opposites, you would be wrong. The state of being asleep and the state of being awake are nothing more than simple extensions of themselves. The same rule applies for working and leisure. Working and leisure are no opposites at all.

And, night isn't the opposite of day. it is the same as day. Night automatically turns into day, and, a little later, it turns back again into its original state, and the same thing goes for day. Both are exactly the same thing. The only question being, what turns into what? And, what was there to begin with?

Black and white are two more very good examples of the non-existence of opposites. Both could be each other, it all depends upon light. A white wall always becomes black when a day reaches its end, and a black wall (if it isn’t really black but white) becomes white when it gets light again! Again both are simply extensions of each other In fact, black is the colour that every other colour becomes, too.

Hot and cold are also the same. Cold happens when hot stops existing, and heat starts when cold is heated up. Both – therefore - are the same thing in a different state. You can prove this by adding cold water to your bath if the water's too hot to begin with!

Opposites do not exist, if they were to, they could only happen in the same thing or the same person, and this is totally impossible. You can have a clever man and you can have a stupid man, they are two different people. A man who is now educated used to be uneducated. Being educated follows being non-educated; no one can be both.

So, what about men and women? They say that opposites attract! This is not true! It is the things that people have in common which bring people together. And, what happens when a man and a woman become a pair? They become a unit. Not just any sort of normal unit, but, two individual halves. Two individual halves? No, not at all! A unit is a whole and, a whole has no differences. Or, does it? Maybe, yes! Maybe, opposites do exist, after all!

And, maybe you are the opposite of yourself? This is very often true! How often have you done something that you would never ever do? Is being the opposite of yourself really the opposite of yourself or your genuine you?

To conclude, I feel compelled to say that the only opposites that really exist are those of an entirely abstract nature. Cold is only the opposite of hot because it is seen as such, whereas cold and heat are two relative matters that rely purely on the individuals understanding of what these two states really are. What about cold and freezing? And, what is big for an ant is - more-than-likely - to be very small for us! It’s only a question of perspectives and questioning. And, whatever you believe, there will always be someone who thinks that you are the opposite of them!

Listen to Opposites on Talk 49 World

nj. 2010/2021

Monday, 4 January 2021

Diarikom Week 1- 2021 - Lisl Fischer - The Day of the Jackal

Welcome to Talk 49. Talk 49 is online talk with an aim. The story of life. People. Our programme is very diverse and growing all the time. Stories, anecdotes, interviews, and more. Talk 49 can be accessed directly on talk49.blogspot.com – Our blog with full index, etc. You can also google tram 49 world - or go directly to YouTube – tram 49 world. Tram 49 is written and produced by Nigel A. JAMES.

The Day of the Jackal

Having a garden is a wonderful thing. And, gardens are not only great for the spirit, they are spots of creation as well. Wonderful team work. Man and nature working together.

And, in Vienna, Lisl Fischer has a wonderful garden. A corner of heaven on earth. And, it is here that nature comes calling. Trees, plants, and beauty come in on the wind, and, nocturnal guests include foxes, bats, badgers, and cats, and many more, too. But, the strangest of all came early one morning.

It was just after six. A fine summer's morning. Lisl was out in her garden. All of a sudden, Lissl felt something behind her. A presence. Very, very slowly, Lisl turned round. A jackal. And, it was looking at her. The jackal, a wonderful animal with its spots and light yellow stripes. And, Lisl and the jackal just stared at each other. Mesmerized. Neither moved. And then, in a flash, the jackal was gone. Lisl was very relieved. She had been just a little bit scared.

But, from where had the jackal arrived? Lissl phoned up the zoo. No jackals had escaped. But, what they told her was interesting. Because of the climate change, Jackals were now spreading out across Europe. Lisl can expect more jackals in future!

But, the real mystery remains. How had the jackal found Lisl's garden? Lisl's garden is in one of the busiest corners of town. Between Lisl's and the hills are not only two busy roads, but a railway as well. The jackal had been lucky and Lisl had been lucky as well!

Lisl's day of the jackal. A beautiful guest if only for just a short while.

Listen to this article on YouTube

Click here to listen to Lisl FISCHER on Talk 49 - German Language interview

with Nigel A. JAMES

Monday, 28 December 2020

Diarikom Week 52/53 - 2020 - Annamarie Venus Frequency

Annamarie Venus Frequency

Annamarie was young and in love. In love with New York. New York was magic. It was Annamarie's town. And, this young lady from Graz was on her way up in a very big way. She had a very big job, big money and was living each second. And,late at night, she had time for TV. Sex in the City was her favourite. And, because the girls in Sex in the City did yoga, Annamarie did yoga as well. The perfect way to slow down and stay sane in New York.

And, Annamarie's fun carried on at weekends. Her weekends were was fast, thrillling and up in the sky. Adrenaline pure. Jumping from planes. Falling to earth at high speed in formation, landing, then going up for more. Nothing was better. Then, one Sunday as usual, came the last jump of the day. The group flew back up to the clouds. Annamarie jumped.

But, she didn't wake up for a very long time.

Annamarie had been seriously injured. Her landing had gone horribly wrong. She shouldn't have survived. Then, after 5 operations came the bad news. Walking normally was over her her. A thing of the past. Support would always be needed. A bone in her leg was beyond any help. The blood just couldn't get through. Her left foot was dead. No chance. Then, into her mind came the girls from Sex in the City.

Annamarie went into herself. Meditation, concentration, and visualisation. And slowly she started responding. The blood started flowing again.

Three months later, she left hospital without any help. Walking alone with no sticks. Annamarie had done the impossible. She was fine. She never looked back.

And, now, all these years later, Annamarie is back in Vienna and passing on the message of yoga and how one can use it. Annamarie is a yogic practitioner and teacher.

And, her message is easy to get.

Annamarie has a yogic radio show. She calls it Venus Frequency. Every Friday morning at 7 on Radio Orange 94 from Vienna. And, Radio Orange streams all its programmes. Venus Frequency goes out to the world. Google Radio Orange for more. And, Annamarie doesn't only sound great on the radio, she also looks great on TV.

Just recently, Annamarie gave a TED talk. It was her story. It was remarkable. Enjoy it. Check it out on TED X Vienna.

Annamarie was young and in love with New York. Life only comes once. Live and enjoy every second but watch how you go.

Venus Frequency is Annamarie.

Click here to listen on YouTube

Click here for Annamarie's TEDX Talk

Sunday, 20 December 2020

Diarikom - Week 51/2020 - Christine Harecker - From Her Viennese Childhood

Christine Harecker - Tales From Her Viennese Childhood

Christine Harecker grew up in Vienna and her summers were spent with her aunty and uncle. They had a small wooden house. And, this small wooden house, with its very small garden, was surrounded by many other small houses and gardens. It was the 60s and 70s. Summers were fun and summers were long.

And, Christine had many good summer time friends. There were many other children to play with, and everyone's home was everyone else's as well. Fun every day. Fun from morning till night. But, it's a monkey Christine remembers the most.

Just a few houses away stayed a young couple and they had a pet monkey. And, this little monkey named Rico was free. He used to run from garden to garden and everyone loved him. Rico was never too much. He was everyone's friend. But then, something changed.

Rico discovered the taste of good flowers and gave up having time for his friends. Rico started jumping from flower to flower; eating each one as he went. Rico was no longer welcome. People were angry. Something had to be done.

Rico was locked in his cage. He became very unhappy. He was missing his freedom. Rico was sad. His owners had an idea. A glass of wine at the end of each day. Ricoo tasted wine for the very first time. He was happy, but not for too long. Rico started wanting more than one glass. One glass of wine had stopped being enough. And, when he didn't get what he wanted, Rico became very aggressive. His screaming was terrible. It was bad. It was heard all around. This once happy monkey was now alcoholic in a very bad way and everyone knew it.

The next summer, Christine came back again. Her aunty and uncle and her summer time friends were waiting for her. Rico was gone. He had gone far away and was happy. Maybe heaven? But, one thing was clear. Rico had not gone to hell. Hell had come out of a bottle. An idea to cheer Rico up. But, sadly, an idea that had killed him.

The years moved on and Christine moved on as well. But, her summer time fun is still there where it was in a time that has gone. And, Rico the monkey was part of this time. He made people happy but sadly loved flowers. The flowers came back. Rico stayed gone. Rico was never forgotten.

Christine Harecker – Tales from Her Viennese Childhood.

Listen to this article on YouTube with full text.

Listen to Christine Harecker telling her story on Talk49

Diarikom

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Doors - first published 2010 - Open and Shut

Tuesday, 16 February 2021

Short Essay - Heart Caring Words

Wednesday, 10 February 2021

Flight to Destination Unknown - Captains Otto Herald and Manfred Pollack

Monday, 1 February 2021

Diarikom 005 - 2021 - 15 Mins. The Art of Good Sermons - Bruce Duncan

Monday, 25 January 2021

Diarikom 004 - 2021 - Horace de Vera Cole and the Dreadnaught

Sunday, 17 January 2021

Diarikom - 003 - 2021 - Paradise Back - Rebecca HUGHES

Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Diarikom - Week 2 - 2021 - Opposites

Monday, 4 January 2021

Diarikom Week 1- 2021 - Lisl Fischer - The Day of the Jackal

Monday, 28 December 2020

Diarikom Week 52/53 - 2020 - Annamarie Venus Frequency

Sunday, 20 December 2020

Diarikom - Week 51/2020 - Christine Harecker - From Her Viennese Childhood

Doors - first published 2010 - Open and Shut