Blog, I

Archive for May, 2011

When I started packing for my trip to Germany I pretty much hadn’t done enough planning. Too many things rather than a selection of what was necessary. Next time I’m keeping it to the following:

One pair of men’s running shorts, one size larger than required for multiple use such as running as well as hiking or biking leisure.

One pair of comfortable ‘walking’ shoes for the flight and another set in my bag for every other day use.

Two short sleeve shirts. One lightweight multipurpose jacket. Five pairs of underwear and socks. Lastly, two pairs of pants…jeans in my case.

Some people can get away with just using Skype for handling meeting needs, until the get more people involved that they need something like MegaMeeting video conferencing. I remember the first such type of conference I attended, Colin Powell was on our company’s board of directors and was discussing the “AOL Anywhere” concept.

There was a lot of spin and rhetoric, but the most meaningful comments he made that I remember most were about having his milk checked in the refrigerator, and added to his shopping list if necessary. Myself I’d be happy if my PDA could make a note when there’s toilet paper needing to be purchased…since the PDA’s often used in my bathroom the majority of time.

One day it’s Goth or Industrial style, the next a kid may be wearing hip hop clothing. Sometimes an expression of self style, sometimes peer pressure. One of the ‘trendy’ things I’ve been seeing in Germany lately is men wearing scarf/neck wraps, the type more in line with what would be worn in a more hotter climate zone to use as a shield from the sun during mid-day.

I’m starting to wonder in the long run what the kids in Berlin will be wearing this Winter.

Different people treat severe acne in different ways. On the streets it’s a daily battle to deal with it, let alone regular cleanliness. Local climate as well as things such as soil, pollen, and pressence or lack of vegetation all contribute to better skin care when someone’s homeless.

One act I’d seen young teens do years ago in shelters was covering their face with tooth paste. Their reasoning was the pumice; after applied and let to dry; would help remove dirt and oil. If anything this all seemed to me just a matter of drying out or possibly damaging their skin.

Then again, kids do the craziest things…whether homeless or not.