image from A Search for Values

A Search for Values

March 1, 2017

I get the impression that my family worries a bit about me not making a proper living at the moment. Worries about me not investing more effort into getting my freelance business off the ground.

Their observation about work and business not being at the top of my priority list, at the moment, is sound. And the subsequent concerns are understandable. After all, here in Germany, work and a steady income are widely considered the most important things in life. In fact, lots of people actually define themselves through their job.

I too did that, a long time ago. Gained my self-esteem from my position as a successful software engineer. Was so keen on it all that I even took work home. But those times - fortunately - are long gone.

My relation to work has shifted back-and-forth over the years. For a long time

image from Winter in Berlin

Winter in Berlin

January 23, 2017

Across Bhaktapur

January 1, 2017
During my time in Bhaktapur, I stayed with a guest family who lived across town from where the office was located. Thus every morning and afternoon I walked from one side of town to the other, past temples, shops and craftsmen. There is more than one route to take and I’ve cut together impressions from the two I took most often.

Nepalis in Portugal

November 29, 2016
One bed, a wardrobe, three chairs, a small desk and a low table are a lot of furniture for a room of approximately 16sqm. Every seating surface, including the bed, is occupied and in total there is nine of us in the place. Shiva’s picture is hanging on the wall and a Nepali flag flies on the desk. All this could well be a scene in my favourite Asian country, but instead we are in a residential neighbourhood of Lisbon, some five minutes walking from Intendente metro stop.

Web Summit: Wrapping it up

November 10, 2016
We spent Wednesday at our small stand, pitching the project of career counselling in Nepal to hundreds of visitors. The aim was not only to find investors, but also to attract additional developers who could support me in building the platform. It is difficult to say now what kind of impact that will have mid- or long-term, but I was pleasantly surprised about how many people were interested in the project.
image from Web Summit

Web Summit

November 8, 2016
The opening night yesterday featured some rather prominent names from major international organisation, i.e. the UN and the World Bank. Naturally politicians lie the moment they open their mouths, so not much was to be expected in regards to content. What was interesting though was to hear politicians talking to an audience that is highly educated and independent. Once an outlook on the future of the EU and worldwide employment markets was done, Holloywood’s Gordon-Levitt stepped in for a few words on creativity and delivered a plea for doing what one likes, instead of focussing on what makes money.
image from A Day in Lisbon

A Day in Lisbon

November 6, 2016
Started the city-exploration with a visit to the Oceanarium. Didn’t expect much and was pleasantly surprised. Well-done place and fortunately not too busy. After that a visit to the old town. Just another temple for the gods of tourism and money - horrible place.
image from Moving in and flying out

Moving in and flying out

November 6, 2016
There seems to be a pattern. I move into a new flat and then days later I’m on a flight out of the country. That’s how it was in 2014, and yesterday again I sat on an outbound flight, not even a week after receiving the keys to my new place. This time the destination is much closer than 2014’s Philippines though. It’s Lisbon, where Web Summit 2016, one of the biggest internet conferences of the world is taking place.
image from Three Months Berlin (and counting)

Three Months Berlin (and counting)

October 28, 2016
There’s a big change ahead! On the 31st of this month I’m expecting to receive the keys to my new place in the borough of Pankow. By then it’ll have been more than 15 months since I moved out of the last place in Stuttgart. Since arriving in Berlin, my priorities have changed a fair bit. Initially I was after accommodation in a flat-share, as I had grown quite accustomed to living communally.
image from Impressions from a Danish Island

Impressions from a Danish Island

September 6, 2016
Spent the morning on horseback. Galloping through the marshes is a great way to get things off my mind. [caption id=“attachment_4806” align=“aligncenter” width=“550”] Not me[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4805” align=“aligncenter” width=“550”] Biggest beach ever[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4807” align=“aligncenter” width=“550”] Yes, it’s Denmark[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4808” align=“aligncenter” width=“550”] Welcome to Cutesville[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4809” align=“aligncenter” width=“550”] Wide and flat[/caption]