The Think Tank

A Vegetarian Christmas

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 09:35:00 +0000

For someone who really cannot bear the thought of eating meat (or fish) at any time of the year, Christmas with its traditonal meaty fare is a challenge for me and many vegetarians. For the people who are good enough to invite them for Christmas dinner, it can also be a nightmare especially if you need to be specially catered for by them.! I will be surrounded by meat eaters and will be taking my own dinner with me. For those vegetarians staying at home, follow the link below for some really interesting alternatives for Christmas.

Vegetarian Christmas recipes

For more general information on vegetarianism

The Vegetarian Society

......... and finally, if you really have to eat a goose this Christmas, you would be advised to buy from a local source. I recently saw a very disturbing documentary on how Hungarian farmers use force feeding techniques to fatten the birds up for Christmas and to ensure the liver is enlarged enough for Foie Gras. Some are even plucked while they are still alive and Germany is the main market for the end result. Be careful before you watch this :

Force Fed to Death

Greenpeace reaction to Copenhagen summit

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:46:00 +0000

Copenhagen, Denmark — Two years have passed since world leaders promised all of us a deal to stop climate change. After two weeks of UN negotiations, politicians breezed in, had dinner with the Queen, a three hour lunch, took some photos and then delivered what could only be described as the 24 hour Head of State tourist brochure of Copenhagen instead of a climate treaty. (http://www.greenpeace.org/)

Copenhagen a Cop-Out

Back to work

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:06:00 +0000

After nearly two weeks sick with a virus, Tina went back to work for the first time today. It must be a relief for her to think that she will no longer be subjected to my limited cooking skills :-). I am sure it was not easy to start again but as always she looked as pretty as a picture even at seven in the morning and before a coffee !

Forget Copenhagen!!

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:14:00 +0000

With all of the hot air coming out of the Climate change conference in Copenhagen, we mustn't forget that there are other global enviromental problems at hand. The Chinese and Japanese call for fewer emissions into the atmosphere but are illegally slaughtering whales and dolphins at an alarming, ever-increasing rate. The Amazon is being destroyed by money-grabbing industrialists and consequently some of the Earths most fragile species and plant life are being driven to extinction. Forget the politicians and free-riders arriving in Copenhagen in big cars and private jets, nothing useful will come from this conference. Even if an agreement is found, they will go back and quickly forget it as they did the Kyoto protocol which was also designed to save the planet.

Climate Rescue Weblog

Fun in the snow!

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:28:00 +0000

We took advantage of the sudden cold snap and went for a long walk in the first snow with Guapo...

A Winter Wonderland

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:36:00 +0000

After a freezing night, we woke up to a blanket of white snow. There is hope for a white Christmas yet!!

Victory!!!

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:44:00 +0000

Last night, I tasted victory over my arch Monopoly rival in the house. It's always good to have some healthy competition in a relationship but this was very sweet!! Having placed three hotels on the three most expensive streets on the board, it was just a matter of waiting until the already cash-strapped Tina landed on one, which she did quite quickly. Offers of an immediate rematch were rejected by me but it is sure to come in the next few days. Until then I will bask in my temporary glory. Tina, thanks for a great evening and get well soon. xxxx

Christmas is coming!

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:03:00 +0000

Today, we bought our first real Christmas tree and decorated it! For the first time, we have enough space to have quite a big one. At the same time, we listened to Christmas music and drank Glühwein. That was fun!!!

New Arrivals

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:17:00 +0000

On our trip to Tina's hometown at the weekend, everyone was interested in the new arrivals in the family ( and some even got to feed them !!)

Happy 21st

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:13:00 +0000

Happy Birthday to my daughter, Kerri who turned 21 on the 29th.

Following the Rain.........

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:03:00 +0000

....... came a crop of mushrooms in the front garden. They seemed to spring out of nowhere and cover the grass like a carpet!

Red Sky at Night...........

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:11:00 +0000

I was lucky enough to be on the balcony to witness a spetacular sunset and orange sky. It was a perfect sight after two days of grey, wet weather.

Look out for us!!!!

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:41:00 +0000

Last week, we decided to deck the Smart with our company colours. As you can see from the pictures, it is a real eye-catcher and an object of interest when we drive in it. On Friday, while I was waiting for Tina, I had two prospective customers enquire about our services. It's a very effective marketing technique and one that will be seen often around Frankfurt and Wiesbaden.

2012

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:18:00 +0000

This weekend we will go to the cinema and watch the end of the world happening before our eyes!! I haven't been so excited about seeing a film for a long time! Let's hope it's only a fantasy!!

Amazement as always!!

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:38:00 +0000

Respect and congratulations to Tina, who continues to amaze me with the way her new business is building up. Constant new work and great feedback makes it clear that becoming self employed was exactly the right decision.

Kati is here!!

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:25:00 +0000

At the moment, our good friend Kati is visiting us from Berlin. Kati and Tina studied together at university and remain close. We took her into Wiesbaden to see the city and explored the shops (mostly shoe shops :-) ) It was great to have her here and we will make a return visit to Berlin in a few weeks.

Winter is coming

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:34:00 +0000

Last night we put the clocks back. It means another hour in bed but also the feeling that the dark days of winter are just around the corner. Here in Erbsenacker, the trees around us are shedding leaves and leaving a carpet of brown everywhere. We wake up to fog every day until the sun burns it off. A magical time of change and hibernation until things get warmer again in spring. Living here in the Taunus, the seasons are clearly illustrated in the countryside around us.

It's a time to get those thicker jumpers out of the cupboard and think to yourself, it was only six weeks ago that t-shirts were the norm. A time for practical things like changing winter tyres and making sure the balcony furniture will survive until warmer days come.This time of change is also a time for reflection to think about the year gone by, people you have lost, people who have lost you, the way your life has unfolded and new beginnings and plans. In contrast to the past, I look forward to the next seasonal change with gusto. That has a lot to do with the new sense of happiness I have found with Tina and I look forward to sharing many seasons with her.

Good luck, Walter

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:13:00 +0000

The best of luck to Walter who has taken the first steps into self employment. We hope for him, that it brings him as much satisfaction as has for us over the years. Walter has already worked on a project for us and the result was fantastic!!

Once again, all the best for the future.

For more details check out : www.werbeagenduer.com

Rome from a tourist perspective

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:34:00 +0000

We have just come back from five days in Rome and thought it might be nice to share my experiences from a tourist perspective.
The city is fantastic with something to see on and around every corner. For someone looking for a place to visit with historical value, then Rome should top the list. As with every city, there are positives and negatives. First the positives: The city : Central Rome is a city full of ancient ruins and that is the interesting thing. You can feel the history when you walk near the Coloseum or the Pantheon or the host of other Roman sites. Taking one of the many guided tours on offer gives you an insight into how Rome was built and ransacked over the years.

The weather : Even in October, one can expect warm temperatures. ( I was sunburnt ). It is not over hot but much better than being in the freezing rain elsewhere.

The food: Italian food is great if you take the time to find restaurants outside of the tourist areas where only the Italians go. The food tastes better and is cheaper too.

Now the negatives : If you spend all your time in the centre, expect to walk amongst thousands of tourists and stand in long queues for all of the main attractions. This can last hours, even in October. The city is also totally filthy, with trash and litter all over the place. Even in the parks, where you would expect a bit more tidiness, there are old bottles and newspapers everywhere.The only place where this is not the case is the Vatican which is generally well looked after. Even though Rome is a fantastic city, don't expect a cheap holiday there. Everything in the tourist area is twice or three times the price you would normally pay. There is also the problem of the many locals ( as well as Indians) who have developed various methods of extracting cash from tourists. From selling cheap souvenirs to dressing as Roman soldiers, it is all here! Beware the rather large aforementioned soldier who gladly offers to take a picture with you. The return of the camera will be accompianed by a demand for money. These are also the type of guys you shouldn't argue with!! That said, it is a great place to visit and we will surely go there again.

Now she can relax !!

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:30:00 +0000

Today I am so proud. Tina took on a very difficult interpretation job for a visiting foreign State Minister who was presented to in German by various university professors. Tina had to interpret the presentations for him to understand and she did a great job. The feedback afterwards was excellent. I know how nervous she was and now she can relax and think about a great time in Rome next week.

Songs that you can't get out of your head!!

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:15:00 +0000

You know what its like. There is that song that goes through your mind and you can't stop thinking about it. The song above is mine!! An old traditional irish song updated by the Corrs. A great song and purely Irish.

Making preparations : Rome, here we come!!

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:55:00 +0000

In a few days, we leave for a late summer holiday in Rome. As neither of us have been there before, it will be a great experience.

Congrats due !!

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:38:00 +0000

Congratulations to my partner, Tina , for her first successful step into self employment. As a sworn translator and interpreter for English and Spanish, she has shown,since she made the decision to work alone, that the business will blossom due to her very professional attitude and work ethic. If you would like to know more, check out her website :

Gabriel Translations

Birthday surprise

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:18:00 +0000

On Saturday, we celebrated Tina's mum's birthday in a small hall in Bertingen. Also present was Tina's pregnant cousin Maria, who has since given birth to a baby girl.

Sunrise

NJ3103@gmail.com (Nick Jenner) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:51:00 +0000

For anyone lucky enough to be up early, there are some wonderful sunrises at the moment as this one taken on the A3 near Frankfurt