Lists
In General
I’m pretty clear about my preferences.
Should I be more open-minded?
I do know that watching a horror movie only torments me and gives me no pleasure at all. It will even trigger a chemical reaction in my body. Images get committed to my subconscious and will re-appear in my dreams.
Let’s take another example:
I feel strongly about humans not killing humans. Under no circumstances. I believe that even the worst criminals shall serve their time behind bars. We as a society ought to be strong enough to provide that container. Some of the perpetrators might even have a message down the road that might serve victims and overall society.
Ok, one more. Whenever I point with my finger at others, three fingers are still pointing back at me. That’s where laughing about myself rather than laughing about others comes in.
Laughing with others? Always, I’m in!
Likes
Grass roots
Music
Comedy
Being in the zone
Crime Prevention
Agreeing to disagree
Quality
Netflix
Thrift stores & garage sales
Living without fear
Letting go
Lifelong learning
Laughing about myself
Resolving conflict
Cooking
Living in the fast lane
Nice smells
Natural highs
Gender equality
Lifelong relationships
Being physically active
Random acts of kindness
Ubuntu
Non-violent communication
Dislikes
Most Lobbyists
Noise
Horror
Feeling overwhelmed
Death penalty
Shutting someone down
Quantity
TV Networks
Khakis and embroidered shirts
Churches
Holding on to anger
Being grouchy
Making fun of others
Anything addicting
Fast food
Being stuck
Cigarette smoke
Drugs
Being macho & being serious about it
One night stands
Silent treatments / passive aggressiveness
Being a dick
Parents yelling at their kids
Things I certainly must know about
Your Facebook page
Great French restaurants in the Boulder vicinity
Free ice cream in the neighborhood
Funny quotes from soccer players or coaches
Anyone’s bra coming off during Superbowl
halftime performances
30 MPG cars doing 150 miles an hour that sell for 5k or less
Things I don’t really need to know about
Your free e-book
Which celebrity cheated on whom
George Bush receiving any lifetime achievement awards
How much booze you can take
Your cup size changing to D+
Your digestion report
That you can talk for one hour straight without even breathing
Things I Definitely Don’t Want To Know About
Your Myspace page
The next upcoming heavy metal band
Another Walmart getting built
A nuclear bomb being dropped on someone’s head
Your toenail fungus
You driving home being drunk
You getting a facial tattoo while being drunk
The Travel Bug
Of course, growing up in Europe means you get to visit your neighboring countries fairly easily.
I learned skiing in Austria and hiked the Swiss mountains as a kid. I raced on rollerskates in the Netherlands.
After visiting the US for the first time in 1983 I became a regular visitor and my long-distance traveling was mostly a back and forth across the North Atlantic.
Only in the last few years did I have the opportunity to travel to destinations that were on my bucket list but had nothing or very little to do with family or business.
Scandinavia, Africa, Latin America, and Japan are all places I only got to see in the last few years.
I know it is a huge privilege to travel intensionally and I am conscious of the need to share and give back.
Countries I’ve Visited
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Botswana
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Denmark
Greece
France
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Panama
Peru
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
South Africa
Spain
Switzerland
UK
Uruguay
Zambia
Zimbabwe
My Car History
Citroen CX Diesel
Audi 80 1.8
VW Golf VR6
MB 190 E 3.0
MB 280 E-Class Coupe
MB 230 E-Class Wagon
Alfa Romeo Spider
MB 500 SL
Honda Element
MB 500 SL
VW Beetle Turbo
VW Beetle Turbo S
Subaru Outback XT
Audi A4 Allroad
Mini Cooper S Convertible
MB R 350 Bluetech
MB GL 350 Bluetech
MB SL 550
BMW I3
Tesla S
Chevy Bolt
Well, some of my cars just broke down. My first car had a huge check engine light that was always on. I was driving on the freeway with my brother when the light went off. We looked at each other and knew that was not a good sign. The engine died two minutes later and that was that.
I also moved across the pond and that involved selling and buying a new car.
And yes, I alternated between more fun and more practical cars based on my needs. I had a Honda Element for many years. When I did get divorced it was time for a fun car and I bought my 3rd convertible. I remember driving under clear skies with a top sound system dialed up and how that gave me pleasure at a time I truly needed it.
At the bottom of the list are a number of electric cars. I’m a strong proponent for EVs.
Currently, I still own an MB SUV and the Chevy Bolt. I’m clearly more on the practical side but I’m happy with these sets of wheels. Something very convincing would have to pop up for me to switch.