Very Iris!

Goals

2009-04-02T08:33:00.003+01:00

Dear friends,
I just came back home from another nice run. Actually, I am training as I set myself a goal and will take part within the 123people relay at the Vienna City Marathon. It might be really ridiculous running 16 kilometers but what would life be without the goals? Aren’t they a major part of it?

I just thought about that intensively and realized that I always feel better when I set myself some goals. And – moreover – make decisions (okay, goals and decisions might be something different but in this sense they’re the same). I often tend to think too much about the possibilities and choices without picking one of them. And so I end up doing nothing at all.

So I decided to write down a list of things that I really want to do in 2009. So here are my goals:

Finally do the Amalfi/Capri roadtrip in late spring/early summer (this one is already booked!)
Buy the cool, red Vespa I already wanted to buy last year (this one is already ordered!)
Do the Latin course to really get my law studies going
Work on the book idea I have been carrying around with me for years
Start with yoga
Do a culinary autumn tour in the Piemonte region in Italy (I still can’t believe that I didn't have the time and energy in the last two years)

So, apart from writing this blog and eating an apple a day, these are my goals for this year. Being officially published in my blog now, I guess they’re set in stone. Aren’t they? ;-)

I thought about a fitting song to this entry … there’s just one that came into my mind and I was wondering why I haven’t attached it to one of my previous entries. It’s actually one of my favourite songs and was getting me through my A-level: “Dreams” from the Cranberries. And apart from being a powerfull song, I do think that it should be attached to every spring playlist. :-)

Love,
Iris

Heroes

2009-03-19T09:42:00.002+01:00

Dear friends,
there are no excuses for not writing, I know - at least that’s what I tell a guy who tells me that he’s too busy with his stuff. Well, I was busy too. Busy with another big change in my life that needed a load of energy. But it was worth it.

So now, it’s official: I am back in Vienna after two years abroad in Italy and Switzerland. A great experience and something I always wanted to do. Why? I have no idea. Maybe because it’s something that everybody needs to do to find out more about him-/herself.

If this is the real reason, then I definitely did the right thing. I found out a lot about myself and that might be the reason why I am completely satisfied with the thought of coming back. Completely satisfied with the way it is. Some might say that it’s a step back. I say it’s coming back home – at least it feels that way and therefore it feels so right.

Well, I started this blog two years ago when moving away. Coming back would be a good reason to shut it down – especially as I wasn’t writing anything lately. BUT it might be a better reason to keep it going. I am back in the inspiration mode for my writing and I don’t want to miss this opportunity. There are loads of things on my mind that need to find a way out! :-)

So lately, I was thinking a lot about those circles of life. You might not notice anything when they begin, but all of a sudden you recognize them if you read the signs carefully. And then those circles close and everything comes together, all the jigsaw puzzles begin to make sense. And things are always a lot better if they do make sense … don’t you think?

My soundtrack over the last couple of weeks was David Bowie’s “Heroes” – and I do love the version attached to this entry … his voice is much older than in the original take. So mature … and yes, really sexy! ;-)

And yes: This entry is dedicated to all my personal heroes! Thank you!

Yours,
Iris

Back on Track

2008-10-17T20:06:00.007+01:00

Dear friends,
lazy Iris is back. In fact, some anonymous guy came over my blog and posted a comment. It reminded me how much I do enjoy sharing my impressions with you and that I should keep on going with that.

Well, a lot of things have happened, as always. We're back again with tights, autumn colours, tea and biscuits ... seems like it was just yesterday that I wrote my last entry. To sum it up: I gave up the Como - Zurich - Como adventure in June, spent this summer off and finally had the time-out I'd already planned a long time ago. Lake side relaxing in July, going back to the roots in August and coming back to life in September. This could be the subhead! ;-)

I was searching for the big WOW, hoping that one day I will wake up and see again what it's all about. But that just doesn't happen in one single day. It's a slow movement ... the turning point was during a week in Southern Tyrol (Dolomites) when I arrived at the peak of Piz Boè (the highest one of the Sella mountain group).

Exhausting at the beginning, stunning at the end. Like so many things in life ...

And for sure there were several pieces of music during the last months ... one of them I heard on the radio during a car ride in July. A song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in the 60s - performed by Chris Farlowe: "Out of Time"! I love this song and the video is pure entertainment ...

So guys, I am preparing for another trip to Austria and Germany ... and I will keep on writing. I promise!

Love,
Iris

Wishes vs. Needs

2008-03-11T14:58:00.006+01:00

Dear friends,
thousands of things I wanna write and tell but no time to do so. "Busy world girl" is slowly recovering from her last cold and all that. So as I am still feeling a bit tired in the evenings I spend lots of my current spare time watching films on my newly bought portable DVD player. I have to confess that I watched "The Godfather" three times on the weekend just to - again and again - see how great this movie is in all the aspects and - of course - to hear Marlon Brando and Al Pacino talking Italian. :-)

Last week's shopping tour brought me back to my childhood when finding the DVDs of "La Boum" ("Il Tempo delle Mele" in the Italian version) which I couldn't refuse to buy. You remember Vic played by young Sophie Marceau and her parents? Her great-grandmother Poupette? The kind of crazy grandmother everybody wants to have.

Watching the two films was like a time travel back to the feelings of being a teenager, all those hopes and fears. Being in love with a boy that does not recognize one (that stupid idiot!), playing games because you don't want to show your feelings, finally meeting the first big love ... however, the films make it really obvious: Messing things up is no question of age. The grown-ups don't know it better than the teenagers. Maybe it's maturity, not age? Maybe it's something we never learn? ;-)

And this brings me to something that I thought about over the last couple of days. I received a nice message from a friend of mine who was on vacation for a longer period and when coming back he said: "Apparently, I didn't get what I wanted but what I needed." How true.

Yes, I do agree. It's more about recognizing what you really need than about getting what you think you want. And I believe this might take a whole life. These thoughts actually remind me of a piece of lyrics in Sheryl Crow's song "Soak Up The Sun": "It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got." Might be a different approach but true as well.

Coming to lyrics and music, there are a bunch of new songs that I am listening to these days. So, today I give you two songs! Good girl! ;-) First is mostly unknown Sandrine with her song "Where do we go", currently featured in Fnac's advertising campaign. See her MySpace profile and listen to the song here: http://www.myspace.com/sandrinetunes

Second is a song that's already on air in some countries. I heard it a couple of times on Milan's RMC (Radio Montecarlo) - BTW, next to FM4 and the BBC's Radio 3 one of the best radio stations I know. The song is "Mercy" by UK newcomer Duffy ... "I don't know what you do but you do it well" :-D

Yeah Yeah Yeah x4

I love you
but i gotta stay true
my morals got me on my knees
im begging please stop playing games

i dont know what this is
cos you got me good
just like you knew you would
i dont know what you do
but you do it well
I’m under your spell

You got me begging you for mercy
why wont you relase me
you got me begging you for mercy
why wont you release me
I said release me

Now you think that i
will be something on the side
but you got to understand
that i need a man
who can take my hand
yes i do

i dont know what this is
but you got me good
just like you knew you would

i dont know what you do
but you do it well
I’m under your spell

You got me begging you for mercy
why wont you release me
you got me begging you for mercy
why wont you release
I said you’d better release
yeah yeah yeah

Im begging you for mercy
yes why wont you realse me
im begging you for mercy
you got me begging
you got me begging
you got me begging

Mercy, why wont you realise me
im begging you for mercy
why wont you release me
you got me begging you for mercy
im begging you for mercy
im begging you for mercy
im begging you for mercy
im begging you for mercy
Why wont you release me

yeah yeah
break it down

Love & Soul,
Iris

Barca Beach Girl

2008-02-19T19:14:00.007+01:00

Dear friends,
finally, I find the time to sit down and write this blog entry which I already wanted to do a week ago. I came back from the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last Friday, unfortunately sick but totally inspired by this vibrating city and its adventures. It was a week full of business, meeting friends and a bunch of new people, a week filled with Tapas, Cava and bar/party hopping. Well, this might be the reason why I am sick now ... however, we will never get to know the answer I guess! ;-)

As always during such trips I get so much inspiration which makes it so hard to come back. Especially if I've never been to a place before but heard lots of good things, I already know I'll like it before I even get there. Same with Barcelona.

The fact that lots of friends were there at the same time made it a kind of village ... you go somewhere and you always know somebody. ;-) Just as if you have been living there for years ... ;-)

Maybe it was because of my red fire shoes (remember the Converse!!), maybe because of something else ... however, I had a couple of interesting adventures ... including a photo shooting at Barcelona beach for a student's project (they really needed a blonde girl ;-)

The fact that I stayed in the same "hostal" as colleagues and friends made it even more like a school excursion. Unfortunately, it was too cold to use the roof terrace for a midnight party ... okay, next time we do! ;-) I discovered the Spanish version of the hot chocolate together with Churros which was the best medicine for my cold (at least at that time). I even got to know where the party crowd is going to on Mondays ... publish this here? Guys, this is an insider ... you have to call me if you want to find out! ... and we go there together! ;-)

I just realized how hard it is to get all of this feeling into text ... music is always better for this. No, I won't post Freddy Mercury and Monserrat Caballé now. ;-) This blog entry finally contains one of my "best ever" songs ... "Multiply" by Jamie Lidell. Discovered in early 2006, this has always been my most favourite song for such special times such as Barcelona.

Last but not least, I would like to mention one sentence I heard during a conversation and I really like it: "Focus on the wow, not on the how! ;-) I will! ;-)

Yours,
Iris

About the Digital Princes

2008-01-17T23:51:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
again, it's after midnight and I am still in front of my computer living the digital part of my life. Well, that story is pretty close to my previous post and my short review of that book I read early this week. I actually got some interesting messages after that entry ... with the question if I liked the end of that story.

So first, a short summary of the plot: A married woman and a guy (who is still suffering from the breakup of his last relationship) accidentally get to know each other via email. First it's just incidental communication, soon messages are going back and forth for a couple of months. No surprise, both of them get really interested in each other and it's just a question of time when they will meet for the first time. It's a constant up and down and both are hesitating somehow. Will it be the end if they turn their digital relationship into real? And there is still the real life with husbands, ex-girlfriends, children, etc. Finally, they set the date and time. Unfortunately, they do not manage to really meet up just because of one little thing. FIN

So, do I like this end? My first anwer to this question was: Any other end would have been trashy or even more disappointing. And I still believe so. Imagine ... they meet and everything is as they thought it would be. How trashy! Who would believe that? Or, they meet and it's the complete difference of what they had in mind. This would have even been more disappointing than if they never meet.

And it's like that! You somehow get to know somebody, no matter if in a chat room (in the late 90s), through a thing called Facebook or even if somebody introduces you to someone else via that kind of stuff. You have a hesitating beginning, a point where the ice breaks and sooner or later there is a moment where you have to meet up. If you don't, you're falling into that digital no man's land. And well, if you really manage to meet up and it's disappointing this becomes 'no digital man's land'. ;-)

Consequence: A digital 'relationship' is a digital relationship. It's hard to transfer a certain level into the real life. And if this sounds like I know what I am talking about? Well, I know what I am talking about. ;-)

So guys, two weeks ago I grabbed a very old CD out of my archive. It's some 'Best of' compilation and it's - hold on - from 1992. :-D Huhu! But there were a couple of things that turned out to be timeless. One of them is an all time favourite of mine: "Two Princes" of the Spin Doctors.

And the great lyrics of this piece:

One, two, princes kneel before you
(thats what I said, now)
Princes, princes who adore you
(just go ahead, now)
One has diamonds in his pockets
(that sounds great, now)
This one, said he wants to buy you lockets
(aint in his head, now)

This one, he got a princely racket
(thats what I said, now)
Got some big seal upon his jacket
(aint in his head, now)
Marry him, your father will condone you
(how bout that, now)
Marry me, your father will disown you
(hell eat his hat, now)

Aww, marry him or marry me,
Im the one that loves you b baby cant you see?
Aint got no future or a family tree,
But I know what a prince and lover ought to be,
I know what a prince and lover ought to be....

Said, if you want to call me baby
(just go ahead, now)
An if youd like to tell me maybe
(just go ahead, now)
An if you wanna buy me flowers
(just go ahead, now)
And if youd like to talk for hours
(just go ahead, now)

Said, one, two, princes kneel before you
(thats what I said, now)
Princes, princes who adore you
(just go ahead, now)
One has diamonds in his pockets
(that sounds great, now)
This one, he wants to buy you lockets
(aint in his head, now)

Marry him or marry me,
Im the one that loves you baby cant you see?
Aint got no future or a family tree,
But I know what a prince and lover ought to be,
I know what a prince and lover ought to be....

Said, if you want to call me baby
(just go ahead, now)
An if youd like to tell me maybe
(just go ahead, now)
If you wanna buy me flowers
(just go ahead, now)
And if youd like to talk for hours
(just go ahead, now)

Love,
Iris

Cover To Cover

2008-01-14T21:53:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
finally I find some time to sit down and write again ... this has been a powerful start into 2008 - yes, I started again where I stopped at the end of the last: Packing my suitcase. And, this actually means that I am on Frequent Traveller status now. Miles and ... I am still expecting the more to come! ;-)

But during the train rides and flights last week I was thinking about an interesting phenomenon. At Christmas and during the Holiday season I got a couple of SMS from people I haven't talked to for a while - some of them for almost a year or so. But instead of calling we write SMS and it sometimes even ends up in a kind of conversation with messages going back and forth. The interesting part: This often ends up on a level where you would never get by just talking.

And boom! Yesterday night during my flight to Helsinki I started reading a book I got for Christmas. This book called "Gut gegen Nordwind" is actually about this kind of phenomenon ... two people that have never seen each other before start communicating via email. I read it from cover to cover, dived into it, completely forgot the time ... at the end it was 4 am in the morning here and I could hardly fall asleep. On every single page I recognized a bit of myself. More than that. :-) This was so much and completely very Iris! :-D

Okay guys, I will write that book! No way not to do it! :-)

And now I can finally post the video I wanted to post since early last week. This is the song that kept me driving over the last couple of days: It's "Flagpole sitta" by Harvey Danger.

i had visions, i was in them
i was looking into the mirror
to see a little bit clearer
rottenness and evil in me
fingertips have memories
mine can't forget the curves of your body
and when i feel a bit naughty
i run it up the flagpole and see
who salutes(but no one ever does)

i'm not sick but i'm not well
and i'm so hot cause i'm in hell
been around the world and found
that only stupid people are breeding
the cretins cloning and feeding
and i don't even own a tv

put me in the hospital for nerves
and then they had to commit me
you told them all i was crazy
they cut off my legs now i'm an amputee, god damn you

i'm not sick but i'm not well
and i'm so hot cause i'm in hell
i'm not sick but i'm not well
and it's a sin to live so well

i wanna publish zines
and rage against machines
i wanna pierce my tongue
it doesn't hurt, it feels fine
the trivial sublime
i'd like to turn off time
and kill my mind
you kill my mind

paranoia paranoia
everybody's coming to get me
just say you never met me
i'm going underground with the moles
hear the voices in my head
i swear to god it sounds like they're snoring
but if you're bored then you're boring
the agony and the irony, they're killing me

i'm not sick but i'm not well
and i'm so hot cause i'm in hell
i'm not sick but i'm not well
and it's a sin to live so well

Love,
Iris

Good vibrations

2007-12-20T23:59:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
it's close to midnight and I am still sitting in front of my computer working ... well, I confess there is some delicious chocolate here that keeps me motivated.

I was thinking about energy and vibes during the last few days ... No, Iris is not finally becoming esoteric or joining a sect. :-) I simply watch, notice, recogneize ...

So, let's start with the vibes ... I do believe that there is something like vibes between people. It's there or not, nothing in between. And if it's there things also work without words or communication.

And then there is the energy which I believe is something very private and personal although it's something that mostly has to do with others. Others that might think of you and you feel that. Or, you just know that something is going to happen ... (for sure now one could say that you make it happening because you influence it yourself). All in all, it's something energetic that comes and goes but hopefully stays. :-)

The song of the day has actually a very nice background: I was driving on the motorway passing Milano on the day I first visited this city. And somehow I knew that I will be living there some day ... guess what, energy? ;-) It's "Le vent nous portera" from Noir Desir.

Je n'ai pas peur de la route
Faudra voir, faut qu'on y goûte
Des méandres au creux des reins
Et tout ira bien (là)
Le vent nous portera

Ton message à la Grande Ourse
Et la trajectoire de la course
Un instantané de velours
Même s'il ne sert à rien (va)
Le vent l'emportera

Tout disparaîtra mais
Le vent nous portera
La caresse et la mitraille
Cette plaie qui nous tiraille
Le palais des autres jours
D'hier et demain
Le vent les portera

Génétique en bandoulière
Des chromosomes dans l'atmosphère
Des taxis pour les galaxies
Et mon tapis volant, dis?
Le vent l'emportera
Tout disparaîtra mais
Le vent nous portera

Ce parfum de nos années mortes
Ce qui peut frapper à ta porte
Infinité de destins
On en pose un et qu'est-ce qu'on en retient?
Le vent l'emportera

Pendant que la marée monte
Que chacun refait ses comptes
J'emmène au creux de mon ombre
Des poussières de toi
Le vent les portera

Tout disparaîtra mais
Le vent nous portera.

Love,
Iris

Action, Consequence, Cause, and all the rest

2007-12-17T23:31:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
I had a very inspiring conversation with a nice friend of mine today (Bohooo, are we friends? Facebook and all the rest of social networking make these terms kind of fuzzy. But let's say we are friends ...). We were talking about him being (at least part-time) Buddhist and I wanted to know what's so special about that.

At the end we arrived at what I was writing about on Friday ... so now, I need to add another thought: We are sometimes deciding something with limited will or unconsciously and this - for sure - affects the result ... how should something strong come out of something we are not totally convinced of? ;-) That is what we have to keep in mind in the end ...

The opposite of unconscious decisions with limited karma (to stay a bit in this Buddhist vocabulary) is were we say to ourselves something like "Let's do it!", "Let's take it!" or even "Let's get it on!" ... HA! And this leads to today's featured piece of music: "Let's get it on" performed by Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley & Pee Wee Elis. Soooo groooovy, you're close to head banging and all that ... I have to confess: I DO! ;-)

Love,
Iris

Nevertheless

2007-12-14T22:37:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
I am taking a deep breath these days ... and a little rest from all the intense time and travelling in the last couple of weeks. I am looking forward to getting some days off in Tyrol and meeting all my friends ... some of them I haven't even seen for years and it will be a great pleasure to catch up.

And as I always do at this time of the year I was thinking about this 2007 while driving back home to Como on Wednesday evening. It's been the year of the big change followed by other little, unexpected changes that where not on the map, at least not at this stage.

However, who wants everything set in stone right from the beginning? It's always a bit different to what you already know and just not the way you expected it. That's why you should just do it without comparing it to all the rest you experienced. Did anyone say that you already know everything? :-)

But hey, for sure sometimes you know right from the start how the story ends hence/nevertheless (take the word you like at this point) you still get into it just because it makes you happy and you enjoy every single moment ... yes, that's the way it is. So, during that night-time ride I turned on the radio even a bit louder and smiled happily just "because". :-)

My home office was more like a discotheque today and I could even give you a playlist ... but I finally go for this one: "Just let the sun shine" from Skin's latest album "Fake Chemical State". (Some might say she isn't that good anymore since she's singing solo ... however, I like it.)

I walked into the sea
Those waves they came for me
Egged on by scarlet sun
(But) I will never burn

My eyes stay liquid free
Not phased by chemistry
The whole nine yards i see
Striding through the haze

Just let the sun
Shine on your face
Only the darkness blinds your way

You take it easy
You walk on your own
Look for the sunshine (you’ll) find (your) way home

Just let the sun
Shine on your face

Special these dirty deeds
That floods my pretty dreams
I snap awake from love
(Re)lieved I’m on my own

Fearless and tacky free
Guided by empathy
Still your not lost on me
I still smell the sea

You’ll make it
You’ll make it

Love,
Iris

About Bears and Cold Nights

2007-12-11T20:14:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
I am finally back from San Francisco after an odyssey that started right at SFO with an "secondary security check" (I was checked up on explosives - me???) and ended with detailed questions on what I am carrying around in my nice Macy's bag (meaning that I had a nice chat with the customs officer in Frankfurt). That was definitely not my day!

However, the week in San Francisco was - again - a time full of new impressions ... including my highly anticipated concert: "Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings". Of course, I was singing along "Let 'em knock" and I guess that's why I suddenly had sooo much space around me. ;-) I even got an autograph from the Dap-Kings' band leader Binky ... oh mei!!

Back in Europe, I am in Finland now for two days ... yesterday a friend of mine said "Ma tu sei proprio Paddington", she meant that I am the Paddington Bear that is travelling around the world with the suitcase in his hand. Yes, I do feel like that at the moment - maybe without the fur and less weight. But I guess it would be quite usefull to be a bear sometimes ... against cold nights and in order to have a thicker skin (at least sometimes).

Anyway ... the song of the day comes from U2 and is my favourite (for several reasons): "All I want is you". I just got the unplugged version of San Remo 2000 (love it!), but here we go for the 2005 version of their concert in Milan. ;-)

Of course, here we also go with the lyrics:

You say you want
Diamonds on a ring of gold
You say you want
Your story to remain untold

But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you'll give me
A highway with no one on it
Treasure just to look upon it
All the riches in the night

You say you'll give me
Eyes in a moon of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbour in the tempest
But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you want
Your love to work out right
To last with me through the night

You say you want Diamonds on a ring of gold
Your story to remain untold
Your love not to grow cold

All the promises we break
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you
You...all I want is...
You...all I want is...
You...all I want is...
You...

Love,
Iris

About Inspectors and Fare Dodgers

2007-11-28T23:57:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
did the inspector on the train ever ask you more than showing your ticket? I was coming back from Zurich yesterday afternoon in order to prepare for San Francisco (where I am flying to on Saturday). I had to change trains two times during that four hour ride ... when suddenly the inspector was passing by, looking at me and pointing at an advertising on the wall opposite of my seat. It showed a blonde woman listening to music and he said "E lei?", so asking if this was me. A real new way of flirting techniques!

He came back a couple of minutes later and asked where I am going to. I said Como which encouraged him to explain me where and how to change trains in Chiasso. Good man! I am blonde but that I would have checked out myself! ;-) He asked thousands of things ... Where are you from? What's your job? I tell you: I was lucky to have a ticket! Who knows what he would have done otherwise! ;-)

Coming to fare dodgers a great shortfilm comes into my mind I saw several years ago: "Schwarzfahrer" by Pepe Danquart which also won an Academy Award in 1993.

And then - of course - every journey needs music ... during all my train rides last week it was "Precious Illusions" from Alanis Morisette's 2002 album "Under Rug Swept".

Love,
Iris

Viileetä

2007-11-20T10:45:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
just a quick entry ... I am travelling a lot these days. Helsinki last week, now Zurich for three days and Rome on Thursday. Finally back to one of my favorite cities!

But actually this entry is about a song I heard on the radio while driving in the car on the weekend: "In the colors" by Ben Harper. Being a great soul fan, this piece of music is indeed a "very iris" song. ;-)

And here are the lyrics:

When your whole world is shaken from all the risks we have taken
Dance with me, dance with me into the colors of the dusk

When you have awoken from all the dreams broken
Come and dance with me, dance with me into the colors of the dusk
Dance with me in the colors of the dusk

The paths we're walking on, they crumble behind us
But if we leave now, they will never find us
And if this crazy world spins itself down to dust, I want to be with you in the colors

When you again start hoping with your arms wide open
Come on, dance with me, dance with me into the colors of the dusk
And all will be right, dancing like water with the light
Dance with me, won't you dance with me into the colors of the dusk?

This is really "viileetä" ... meaning "cool" in Finnish! ;-)

Love,
Iris

Back to Life

2007-11-10T22:16:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
I am back! :-) Successfully fought against the cold and went for a huge rescue mission to Mr. "magic hair" Stefano right thereafter. Never came out happier before ... Newly born with a very new hair cut ... and that's what came out after a late night photo session. ;-)

Some even call me "Miss Armani" and if you know this year's spring sunglas advertising campaign you might know why. ;-)

For sure there needs to be a record of the day ... yesterday's and today's track is "The Crane Wife 3" from "The Decemberists".

I saw them at "The Warfield" in San Francisco in April this year ... still one of the best concerts I've ever seen. And guys, that's what I am going to do now ... jump into the living room and hear it really loud!! :-)

Love,
Iris

Excusez-moi

2007-11-08T23:33:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
there is no excuse for not writing I know ... especially 'cause that's what I usally say in such a situation. So, before I am asked one more time when I finally will continue ... here I go again! :-)

I am still fighting a cold and staying at home but there is some good medicine (ma' secret ;-) and a new CD I bought last weekend in a small music shop in Hamburg specialised on funk/soul/hiphop/R&B.

Ever heard of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings? Here we go with my favourite piece on that record ("100 days, 100 nights") to which this entry is dedicated: "Let them knock"

You now understand why I got good medicine? Anyway guys, that's it for today ... this Iris here needs to go to bed now and get some rest.

Love,
Iris

Como Casa

2007-08-31T14:31:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
finally I managed to get some pix of the new apartment. You will see that most of the rooms are pretty finished and just need some details to be fixed. For sure we'll need to get this done before the housewarming party - whenever that will be. Are you coming? ;-)

Watch the pictures here.

Love,
Iris

Boxes unpacked

2007-08-20T20:35:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
yes, it's done ... we've unpacked most of the boxes and start feeling at home here in Como. But most important: We already found our bar for the morning Cappuccio and the where to go for the Aperitivo in the evening. :-) So, we're pretty happy with the new house and our decision.

Most of you know already that I am working in Zurich for some days a week now. It's a pretty interesting change ... and another language. ;-) So whenever you pass by Zurich or Como/Milan give me a ring ...

Love,
Iris

Moving! Again!

2007-07-04T11:20:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
time for another change ... we will be moving to Como within the upcoming weeks where we found a pretty, amazing apartment in the middle of this little town. See the pictures of our new "Palazzo" within my kyte.tv channel and you will know why we are pretty excited about this!

Of course, the big house warming party is on our agenda! Hm, maybe the better alternative to the farewell evening ... right? ;-)

Love,
Iris

Amici! Pictures of You!

2007-06-25T21:08:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
so many of you were at the dinner last week in Vienna and it was really great to celebrate with you! Whatever it was! Maybe the year I am older now, maybe just the fact that we were together again. However, it was so great to see all of you!!

Thanks for being there! It was a great evening!

Love,
Iris

LH 459

2007-04-28T04:59:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
Gate 101 ... what a nice number! I am currently waiting at SFO for my flight back home. It have been a good time here in San Francisco with a great last day at Stinson Beach where we celebrated our launch. Look at the pictures within my channel!

Okay, they start boarding ... Europe, I am coming!

Love,
Iris

kyte.tv

2007-04-23T05:32:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
today's post is dedicated to a great service I'd like to introduce to you: kyte.tv. I am sure you have already seen my powerpittel channel here on the blog. And from now on also you can start producing your own interactive shows out of your personal pictures and videos using your PC or mobile phone. Check out www.kyte.tv and sign in today!

Folks, I love it ... not only because it's my job to do so - it's really such a great thing for your social life. Or don't you want to share your life with the people you love?

Yours,
Iris

Another trip to San Francisco

2007-04-17T22:44:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
I hope I have some left after not having written for such a long time but I was busy and travelling around quite a lot. Finally I am back in San Francisco for two weeks. So keep checking out my kyte channel and you'll see what is going on here ...

Yours,
Iris

Park & Ride

2007-03-29T23:16:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
I am preparing for a weekend in Austria and should actually get my things done here but as I got again great feedback from the folks I have to do the "encore". (Oh wow, while I was writing these lines a car crashed into the tram down there on the street - apparently nothing happened!)

But "car" is actually a good opening for today's chapter of "Iris - She's a maniac": Again early 2002 in Salzburg (we may call it lova-ville from now). Early evening on some late February day. I was coming home from work and searched for a parking slot, nothing around. So I had to continue driving and finally found one some minutes away from my apartment.

During my walk home I called my father to tell him what was going on that day when I suddenly saw someone crossing the street quite some meters in front of me. We looked at each other. He even looked at me while entering the house. Also I turned around and again our eyes met. What shall I say! I arrived at home still breathless, speechless, ... This guy was cute, so different to my virtual casanovas (maybe just because he was real?).

But now? I didn't know his name, I knew nothing. But wait! I knew where he lived and walked out again ... (yeah, she's a manic is the best description of all) I read all the names written on the door he entered some minutes ago and went back home again. And I also recognized his car before. So, at least I knew two things ... but also Google had no answer for this.

Four weeks passed by and I was still thinking of him. So, one evening I was invited to a dinner party with some girl friends and told them about this strange happening. I said: "Maybe I should leave a message on his car window!" One of them answered promptly: "Yes, of course you should do that. Otherwise you will never know!"

And so did I! Well, it took me two days - I was carrying around that little piece of paper before I had enough courage to do it. And then? Waiting, wishing, hoping. Suddenly I got an email from him. He answered that he was a little surprised about my letter (aha?) but also remembers that day quite well (really?).

Okay, nice answer. And now? I replied that we should have some coffee sometimes. And BOOM! Now he let the cat out of the bag: A girlfriend. No problem. The thing was done for me. But some weeks later he wrote an email and asked if we shall meet for drinks. Ola, ola. Yes, and so we did. And shall I tell you what? The first time he opened his mouth and said some words ... I got sooo bored! :-)

But now he was interested in me! Oh hell, that guy became really a pain in the a**. Not enough that he rang at my door during nights to have some "special treatment" before he went home (and my apartment was on his way!). We even met accidentally several times a week: In the supermarket, in a bar, in the morning when grabbing the car ... As I didn't react anymore on his trials he stopped contacting me.

But it wouldn't be me if this story would end now: Half a year later I went out with two of my best friends. It was one of the first cold evenings in autumn and we searched for a nice bar. We entered and searched for a table. As we sat down Anne said to me "Iris, look down there!" Oh mei, there he was looking at me. So, I did the I-am-wearing-no-lenses-today-game and giggled like a 16-year-old-teenager. This was like a movie! But unfortunately he was still sitting there when we left the bar and looked at me when I was passing. Sure, we had a little chat (I am no unfriendly person!).

As we were outside I said to my friends "Did you look at him? I bet you, that guy will contact me tonight!" ... I went home and while I was getting out of my shoes ... ding, ding ... got an SMS! How predictable and that is really boring! :-)

So, now you see, it does not even matter if it's online dating or for real. Speak first, then act! :-)

Today's record is a rediscovery: "Catch" by Kosheen from their 2001 album "Resist".

Love,
Iris

PS: Oh yes, there is still something to tell: I still believe that his girlfriend once cut my hair as I went to the hair dresser around the corner. Thanks god, she did not know ... :-)

Me and online dating, part 2

2007-03-28T23:04:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
I see, I see! It takes an odd story about men and women to get a comment in this world! (Thanks blundi, you saved me from believing that nobody wants to read my creative amusement. :-))

So, today I kept on thinking if online dating is really such an evil thing. And did it really change our lives so much? Or at least mine. There are several answers, at least there are several stories to tell from my side:

Same year, same online dating platform. Still bored by the dull men I met in bars and cafes. And then one evening I accidentally walked into my former boyfriend. Okay, something needed to be done. Another virtual try. Three days later I got an answer from Alexander. What a name! His emails where even better and he really made my days then. And sure, the permanent question: When shall we meet? ... Next Saturday.

That said day a friend from Tyrol visited me and was excited to do the pre-check at the cafe (yes, girls do that!). We agreed that she would call immediately. And so she did: "Iris, he is here and seems to be nice, so come. Aeh, and yes he is wearing a ring with an emblem!" Still being confused how she managed to see that in a couple of seconds I walked towards the cafe and entered. So, there he was. A tall man wearing some loden coat. Definitely someone you would call Alexander!

So, there we were, Alexander and me ... sitting on a table with my dear friend Gabi just some meters away reading some odd woman magazine aka watching us. Alexander emerged his conservative background even more when he asked me what I would like to drink and ordered my tea. Obviously I really entered the Salzburg upper class ... Uff!

We were talking about one is forced to speak at the first date - when suddenly another friend of mine entered very "accidentally" and sat down on the table next to us. So, there we were, Alexander and me ... and big sisters watching us!

But I still owe you the point: Being a very curious person I had to ask him about his surname. He did not give me an answer but grabbed one of his cards out of his timer and handed it over to me. Okay ... now everything was clear to me: That guy was a "von", meaning a duke! Well, I said to myself "Let's get outta' here!" ... and the best thing of all was Gabi's comment when I told her about him being a duke: "Perfect! This is the man that fits to you!" :-)))

So, this was another chapter of "Iris and the world wide web" ... to be honest, the most conservative one! ;-)

Today's record is exceptionally German: "Klar" by Jan Delay from "Mercedes Dance". (I really felt we need something funky now after all this loden here! :-))

Good night and take care,
Iris

PS: I'd like to apologize to all the Alexanders out there. I like the name itself ... but that combination was certainly too much for my Tyrolean nature! ;-)

The Great Unveiling

2007-03-22T23:46:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
again, I was lazy with writing ... but to be honest I had to think about my posts because I got complaints! Actually just one but it made me really thinking. As I won't publish any names here in order to protect that vulnerable human creature I have to use a synonym. Let's call him Bob. Bob wants to read more stories about my love life featuring all the details (all?). Then he would be reading my blog regularly ... haha, I am sorry to disappoint you but I won't post them here! :-)

But yes, there are some funny episodes and they are mainly related to my time at University. When the well-protected little girl from the Tyrolean Alps broke out to discover the world. And what did she do? Online dating!

Oh mei, this book has several chapters but one is really amusing. I was - again - tired of going out in order to get to know a cute guy and registered on one of these popular online dating platforms (again, no names here!) and BOOM! met a nice guy just straight away. At least I thought so because after three weeks he stopped calling, even no SMS, no emails, nothing. I was disappointed and destroyed. So, what? Even my otherwise well-trained cynicism struggled ... well, in the end I managed.

Some weeks later suddenly one of my best friends calls and wants to meet for coffee. Immediately! I thought it was all about her when she countered "No Iris, it's about you. I met someone yesterday!" Long story short: She met a girl at an exhibition and through friends they began talking about the artist. About HIM! And yes, she was the reason why he did not call. In fact, also they broke up and had no contact anymore.

And what did we do? We met some days later for a great dinner ... and finally put all his odd stuff into an envelope. Not without leaving some unforgettable messages on his t-shirts ...

The next day I went to the post office, it was the funniest walk there ever! To make it clear: Due to the comment "Empfaenger zahlt aus Liebe" we DID NOT pay for the delivery! :-) And he? He even had enough courage to send us an email saying thank you for returning all his things. And yes, he was sooo sorry about it all! *lol*

So guys, let's turn back to the present ... today's recording is called "Loose Ends" and is one of my favourite songs on "Timeless", last year's summer soundtrack by Sergio Mendes and Will.I.Am.

A domani,
Iris

PS: And yes, that funny guy had even enough courage to contact me two years later because he saw my name and photograph on a website ... he was still feeling so sorry about everything ... I never answered! ;-)

BWG

2007-03-19T22:45:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
"Busy-World-Girl" ... that's what I was called some days ago. And it seems to be like this. I love it! :-) So, it's my second post today (really feeling guilty!) and I still owe you the daily record tip. Today I am going for a funny song on an unbelievable album I bought last week (much too late): "Me & Mr. Jones" from Amy Winehouse on "Back to Black". I did not go for "Rehab" as you might know it already from the radio, MTV etc. Actually, I couldn't decide which song to take ...

And just to let you know what I bought last week in San Francisco next to my second iPod (a white 30 GB this time :-), two pairs of cool jeans and some stuff from Kiehl's: really, really red Convers! Shoes for the Busy-World-Girl! ;-)

Love,
Iris

Berlin, Berlin

2007-03-19T11:14:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
again, I was such a bad girl and did not write for nearly two weeks ... but you were lucky due to kyte and got all the nice pictures from San Francisco. Even some LifeStreams I broadcasted in real time on my channel ... I was really excited while driving across the Golden Gate Bridge and had to capture that. :-)

In order to salve my consciences I took some more pictures of Berlin where we spent this weekend ... we were quite busy with sightseeing and did some great walks and visits at certain museums including the Jewish Museum and the Museum for Photography/Helmut Newton Foundation with the great exhibition "Men, War & Peace" (photos by Newton, La Chapelle and Nachtwey).

Our evening programme was filled with meeting friends ... nearly all of us being Austrian expatriates we went for an Austrian restaurant in Berlin to get a good Wiener Schnitzel and of course my favourite dessert: vanilla ice cream with Kernoel! :-)

Back at Malpensa Airport, we arrived at the same time with the Inter soccer team ... che spetacolo! All of the girls that came down from Berlin with us suddenly started to shout and cry ... that's why I did not unpack my camera ... I was not lucky enough to see Luis Figo anyway! ;-)

Yours,
Iris

San Francisco

2007-03-05T18:22:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
so, here we go with the pictures of my trip to San Francisco. I will be adding more shows to my channel this week so just browse within the kyte TV screen for more content (click on the bar just under the screen to see all shows).

The first show features pictures of Greenland I took from 30,000 feet followed by a nice entertaining band I captured on the Market Street (cool sound!) and a summary of my tour on the first day.

Best,
Iris

Delta Airlines #75

2007-03-04T13:45:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
after 11 hours long distance between Milan and Atlanta, 3 hours spent at the immigration desk and Starbucks and 5 more hours in another aircraft I finally arrived in San Francisco. But the journey wasn't bad at all, the airline served good food (including my beloved Scottish Shortbread) and some nice entertainment. Unfortunately, I was so tired at the end that I missed most of 'Casine Royale' on the last flight ... poor me! :-)

So, folks, it's nearly 5 am in the morning here. I can't sleep and feel sooo tired at the same time. You will get the nice pictures I took of Greenland tomorrow or later today.

Yours,
tired Iris

PS: Please excuse any spelling mistakes! :-)

Risotto Milanese

2007-03-02T01:51:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
I am amazed! By one of the still remaining gentlemen in this world! A man who makes even some seconds in our tiny elevator exciting ... and today he invited me to 'un caffè'. His name is Ezio, approx. 70 years old and our neighbour. And such a funny 'signore' ... some younger man could really learn from him, I tell you! So, everytime we leave the house at the same time we talk some minutes and today he asked again (he always does) "You don't want to get married?" He's "old schoold" and so Italian. The perfect "nonno" (grandfather).

So back to the gentlemen issue. Yes, I believe it's really an issue! Where are they? Still existing in this century or just fiction, a leftover from history and some very old Hollywood movies? Lost due to feminism and excessive female emancipation? Even James Bond now fits to his time (not bad at all, I adore this new Bond) but I do appeal to a bit more old school behaviour. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the thought of independent woman but I also believe that it's time for more "class" when it comes to the relationships between men and women.

Enough of that, otherwise I will earn angry emails from one of my best friends! ;-)

So, as I will be flying to San Francisco on Saturday today it was time for "the last Italian supper" (sort of) before departure which of course demands the best of all dishes: Risotto Milanese! Such a great thing ... But tomorrow will be really the last chance: We will go for a pizza at "Le Cast'" (no full names written here, we don't want to make our secret spots public ;-).

So, time for the music. It was difficult today ... too many options. But it's 3 am and I have to go for one of the power songs (you know these perfect fits for the up speed motorway rides, running or the gym workout): "Good Luck" by Basement Jaxx, here on their compilation "The Singles". Find the lyrics here.

Power off now, I am nearly on Californian time! ;-)

Yours,
Iris

It might as well be spring

2007-02-28T22:02:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
whoa, I have audience! People are really reading my blog! Not enough, some even add it to their RSS feeds (Philipp, I have always believed in you! ;-)) ... I am speechless! Really! And of course, this is the greatest motivation for keeping on writing about this crazy life and secondly it demands for increasing quality of my posts. I will try to do my best ... so, let me entertain you! ;-)

This won't be today's record since I already decided this afternoon while I was searching in one of the still remaining boxes ... I found a really incredible CD. Incredible not because of its amazing quality, but because of the fact that I own it! The name already tells you what to expect: "The Gold Album". And it contains some of the strangest romantic songs ever recorded or how they call it "100 % original substance". Uah!

However, some songs are not that bad and all in all this CD is a perfect fit for another crazy/sunny spring day. So, what did I do? I put on Track 11, meaning "Love is in the air" by John Paul Young.* I have to admit that I love this song. Very Iris somehow! Especially when dancing through this apartment at night ... yes, this happens! Another strange ritual next to dark chocolate at night.

Another one is watching old "Sex and the City" episodes and I still believe it's one of the best series ever produced. I went for the first season yesterday (when the outfits were still really 90s and American). Episode 7 is dedicated to the question if it's possible to be a monogamist. A woman answered "Yes, I like it being monogamic. It's nice, familiar and cosy. And you don't have to shave your legs that often!" HAA!! I was clapping my hands. If this is the female answer to that question, what's the male? ;-)

Ah, and so we arrived at the everlasting bestseller ... the story about men and women! Or how Loriot calls it "Maenner und Frauen passen einfach nicht zusammen" (if you are not speaking German ... well no problem, not speaking the same language is the destiny of female and male existence ;-). Anyway, I found this great picture on the web today:

And what's your portion?

Yours,
Iris

* I won't answer the question if I am in love just because of the fact I was listening to this song today! :-)

IP Jones

2007-02-27T15:29:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
well done Vienna! Now that I am gone you finally get in action with hold-up and hostage-taking. And what do I get? "Bilder vom Schauplatz" ... meaning some boring pictures on the ORF website and even some video on their IPTV offer (IPTV?)!

But what details? The hostage-taker claimed Cola light. Why don't demand for tin prosecco and you will get Paris Hilton as a gift! That I'd call a Happy Meal! ;-)

Hm, what a thrill! And I am not there. Did you know I was called Miss Marple during my Salzburg time? Maybe because I resolved a thievery once but sure because of my research skills. Men know! ;-)) However, at the end Miss Marple sounded to old and "dusty". So, I was named IP Jones during a morning underground ride in Vienna some years ago. That is much more sexy and appropriate I guess! ;-) (Tomstone, don't claim the copyright now! ;-)

So, this means we need a very special record of the day: "Have you met Miss Jones?" originally recorded by Frank Sinatra, here in a great Robbie Williams cover version on "Swing when you're winning":

Have you met Miss Jones
Someone said as we shook hands
She was just Miss Jones to me

Then I said Miss Jones
You're a girl who understands
I'm a man who must be free.

And all at once I lost my breath
And all at once was scared to death
And all at once I own the earth and sky

Now I met Miss Jones
And we'll keep on meeting till we die
Miss Jones and I

And all at once I lost my breath
And all at once was scared to death
And all at once I own the earth and sky

Now I met Miss Jones
And we'll keep on meeting till we die
Miss Jones and I
Miss Jones and I

Yours,
special agent IP Jones :-)

Bad girl

2007-02-26T23:11:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
I know I was lazy! Such a bad girl! :-) But there is so much going on these days, so I couldn't manage to write all my thoughts down. Finally, it's another Milan night with an enlightened apartment in Via Solari playing another groovy song. Today I went for a special version of a great U2 hymn: "I still haven't found what I'm looking for", live recording of the Madison Square Garden concert on September 28, 1987, to be found on "Rattle and Hum".

I promised to take some Milan pictures and started today with the catch of a great sunset and light blue hour this afternoon. Simply watch my kyte channel and get the "Milan late winter sunset" show. And yes, the backyard is pretty Italian, isn't it? ;-)

Many of you asked me again when I will finally manage to give my farewell party in Vienna. Honestly, I don't know by now! So, I guess it has to be my next birthday or something else but the farewell is already over I believe. So, call for entries on the party purpose! I like these motto things anyway. :-)

No further stories today. This Iris will go to bed now and sleep some hours as I don't want to be named "pipistrello/a" (engl. bat) in history! Because this would mean that I am batwoman ... Hm, but batman has never been my hero! Guess who?

So instead of being the bat girl I remain to be the bad girl ... always, forever ... ;-)

Yours,
Iris

Digital Carnival

2007-02-21T00:15:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
deliverance! I did the full program today: Cappuccio and Brioche for breakfast, "il mio panino solito" for lunch and "per aperitivo un Spritz al Caffècioccolata" (best outside Venezia). And every walk to the bar was great pleasure playing with the spring sun. You know what? It's not only the sun and its light but also the scent, this special scent in early spring that makes the difference to a late winter day. Sure, the rain will come in March but sometimes it's just pure anticipation we need to feel good!

So, I was asked today if we also have carnival here in Italy! Well, I'd say I have carnival all year long - not only because of the costumes in my wardrobe. ;-) I believe we don't need this anymore. No masks. No fancy dresses in which we look like complete fools (at least when dry ;-). The carnival of the 21th century was opened with the invention of chat rooms and online communication tools - the advantage? Change your mask within a second and stay incognito. Ya, that's really carnival in the digital age ... :-)

Again, it's 3 am. Time for bed. But also time for the selection of today's record. I go for a cool, great Joss Stone that always invites to shake: "Don't know how" from her album "Mind, Body & Soul". Via Solari needs some groovy sound at this late hour!

Yours,
Iris

Back to start

2007-02-20T00:11:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
so finally I am back. Seems like 10 days abroad were already enough to strengthen my feelings for this place. But Milano really did a great welcome with this special early spring light. So, I knew: Yes, I am back home! :-)

I took the CISALPINO from Zurich and enjoyed an extraordinary journey passing several lakes in Switzerland and finally Lugano - with the greatest views of all. And it's just this special "Italian light" in combination with these typical little houses built on the hills ... all I'd need in such a moment is an original Vespa and the according 50s vintage trench coat ... let's do the time walk! ;-)

And also today's record is a sort of vintage and on replay mode for nearly the whole evening because of it's groove and soul: "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" played by Cannonball Adderly, written by great Joe Zawinul, recorded 1966 in a live session at "The Club" in Los Angeles. Such a great sound! Listen to the first 60 seconds of the recording: http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B000005GY5001003/102-0384398-1472939

I better go to bed now (it's already 2 am) - work is waiting and there is still this invitation for the Jil Sander show tomorrow morning. Something not to miss for this very Iris fashion victim! :-)

Yours,
Iris

PS: And here we go with a little poem ...

Kept searching, what did you find?
Puzzles, a face, locked in my mind
So what now, surprised, and behind?
Just another version of being kind

Touched soul, just pleasure or creed?
Walked hidden paths, up speed
Layers unlifted, any other need?
Got this version, sure on the lead

Now on the edge, already away?
Starting Miles ago, suddenly I'd say
No challenge, nothing worth to pray?
Just a different colour, another blue day

imp, 19/02/2007

Across the borderline

2007-02-18T20:17:00.000+01:00

Dear friends, Gruezi mitanand! ;-)
It's been more than a week now "fuori Italia" and I am so much looking forward to the Cappuccino and Brioche in the morning. It's quite interesting how fast one can acquire a new habit. And so I have to suffer once more before I finally take the train to Milano tomorrow afternoon. Caffè!! :-)

It's been a sunny day here in Zurich! A taste of spring with the sun kissing the lake, creating a wonderful light that illuminated everything. I tried to catch it with a photograph but that was nearly impossible. You can see the digital result within my channel next to some other takes from my "Tour d'Europe". And for all of you still chasing the unknown phantom, yes, the guy with the red glasses is Harry! :-)

Note: There might already be a new show on my channel. Please select "Europe in a week" in order to view the pictures.

Note: Don't forget to install Flash 9 in order to view kyte.

Yours,
Iris

PS: Also on Sundays we need a record of the day. I decided to go for one of my favourite sing-along-very-loud-and-dance-if-nobody-else-sees-you-unless-it's-someone-as-crazy-as-me-songs: "You Got The Love" (New Voyager Mix) performed by Candi Staton.

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air
I know I can count on you
Sometimes I feel like saying, "Lord, I just don't care"
But you've got the love I need to see me through

Sometimes I see that the boy is just too rough
And things go wrong no matter what I do
Now it feels like life is just too much
You've got the love I need to see me through

When food is gone
You are my daily meal
When friends are gone I know
My saviour's love is real
Your love is real

You Got The Love

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air
I know I can count on you
Sometimes I feel like saying, "Lord, I just don't care"
But you've got the love I need to see me through

Time after time I say, "Oh Lord what's the use?"
Time after time I say, "This just won't do"
But sooner or later in life the things you love you lose
Just like before, I know I call on you

I can't believe my palms, degrading friends of you
I can't believe my fire, oh Lord, what must I do
I can't believe I caught up, master made me new
But you've got the love I need to see me through

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air
I know I can count on you
Sometimes I feel like saying, "Lord, I just don't care"
But you've got the love I need to see me through

You've got the love, yov've got the love, you've got the love
You've got the love, you've got the love, you've got the love

Tour d'Europe

2007-02-16T22:45:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
it's been a long and interesting week on several different places. After my private/business days in London we carried on with some meetings in Berlin and currently stay in Zuerich. Next to my heavy luggage (20 kg at least!) I now carry three different currencies with me and still have to work with my adapter when I need power for the laptop. Yes, that's Europe! :-)

Of course, we went out in Zuerich to some extraordinary places I would rather expect in Berlin or Vienna's 7th district. So, whenever you come here check out Landstrasse for a bar tour (esp. Hotel Rothaus with great 'Imbiss' food and the Casablanca) - the street is actually known because of something else. Find out by yourself! ;-)

So, this city turned out to be quite different from what I have heard or seen in the past. But isn't this the case with a lot of things in our lives? If you look at them from a different point of view or after some time they may appear in another light ...

And here we go with today's song coming from Radiohead:

"High and Dry"
Two jumps in a week
I bet you think that's pretty clever don't you boy?
Flying on your motorcycle
Watching all the ground beneath you drop
You'd kill yourself for recognition
Kill yourself to never ever stop
You broke another mirror
You're turning into something you are not

Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry

Drying up in conversation,
You will be the one who cannot talk
All your insides fall to pieces
You just sit there wishing you could still make love
They're the ones who'll hate you
When you think you've got the world all sussed out
They're the ones who'll spit at you
You will be the one screaming out

Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry

It's the best thing that you ever had
The best thing that you ever, ever had
It's the best thing that you ever had
The best thing you ever had has gone away

Good night from Zuerich!

Yours,
Iris

PS: And here is something for the smart girls (and only the bravest boys!): http://www.glumbert.com/media/women

London in the rain

2007-02-13T01:11:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
it's late in the evening here in rainy London and I am sitting in the hotel lobby with my laptop and iPod. My small, tired eyes look up from time to time watching the few guests passing by at this late hour. There is the couple walking with 10 meters distance (never want to end like that!), one strange man looking at me, two middle age woman coming home from a musical visit, some guys getting a beer at the bar and two young lovers spending their first weekend together. Why I know? Wouldn't you see?

The weekend here in London was absolutely great! Completed with that certain amount of rain and the ease of my credit card. Another Topshop summer dress (you never know if you have enough), some more CDs, traditional Earl Grey and Short Bread. I will knowingly forget about the vintage stors in Covent Garden now. ;-) And what else? Several visits at "Nero" - of course not for coffee but for their fantastic Dark & White Chocolate Muffin I am absolutely mad about. Well, and because hips don't lie I went for a salad at "Fire & Stone" tonight. ;-)

It's nearly 1 am (CET) and I am too tired now to write down the poem I actually wanted to write. But let me close with today's record I am currently listening to on my iPod: It's "Mary" from Scissor Sisters. Jaja, Iris is melancholic tonight, must be London in the rain ...

Yours,
Iris

Dark chocolate & short hair

2007-02-08T00:25:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
again, it's night here in Milan. Time for dark chocolate and my blog. It seems like there is no way out: I am a self-confessed dark chocolate addict and promised to inform you about this new and challenging chapter of my "life book".

So, what do you do if your life changes? Exactly! You go and see your hair stylist to make sure your hair fits your current mood. And since I decided to be the "short hair girl" some time ago at least I had to change the colour. Hm, maybe it was slightly different ... perhaps I couldn't understand what this cute Italian guy said and answered "Sì, sì ... facciamo così!" just to say something or he confused me so I didn't recognize what the hell he was mixing.

However, it is paradise to have short hair down here! It's like they've always been waiting for you to come in and say "I want it short, very short!" And as soon as I said this, Stefano came with enlightened eyes and a photograph ... Wow, an iroquois! Well, my life is changing but that would be certainly too much for now. So we agreed on my beloved pixie! But enough for now, I am writing longer than my hair actually is right now! ;-)

And also today's song fits perfectly into my current mood: "Dreams" from The Cranberries, already 15 years old but still the best when it comes to such exciting times. So, make sure you put this record into your CD player while reading these lines (singing along is strictly permitted!):

Oh my life is changing everyday
Every possible way
Though my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems
Never quite as it seems

I know I felt like this before
But now I’m feeling it even more
Because it came from you

Then I open up and see
The person fumbling here is me
A different way to be

I want more, impossible to ignore
Impossible to ignore
They’ll come true, impossible not to do
Impossible not to do

Now I tell you openly
You have my heart so don’t hurt me
For what I couldn’t find

Talk to me amazing mind
So understanding and so kind
You’re everything to me

Oh my life is changing everyday
Every possible way
Though my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems
’cause you’re a dream to me
Dream to me

Dream on & take care,
Iris (with Very! short hair)

A very good time

2007-02-06T12:32:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,
it was time to reorganise myself ... and what did I find? So many great pictures and that's why today's posting is dedicated to some of these special moments last year - introducing kyte with which I made this show. Stay tuned to find out more about it soon. I am sure you will like it too!

So, some of you might remember a Very! small birthday party in my tiny apartment (best ever! - and I love this 'Beverly Hills 90210' style of our group photo - we could do the remake and call it 'Vienna 1060'), the countless farewell evenings (most of them at Deli's) and great journeys to Paris and Rome. This is just to remind you and make sure you come and visit me down here (not only for shopping!!) ... :-)

Note: You have to select the show "My favourite moments in 2006" within the channel!

Yours,
Iris

PS: And not to forget the record of the day: "Dragon Days" by Alicia Keys to find on "The Diary of Alicia Keys". Read the lyrics at: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/a/alicia+keys/dragon+days_10006268.html

A Very Iris! start

2007-02-05T23:31:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
finally, I managed to get it online - the blog I promised to write and that is actually what I really want to do! ;-) ... so folks, much things are going on these days in my life. Another normal phase of Iris being a powerpittl - again! (The definition of normal in combination with me is not purpose if this.) And that's why this blog is called "Very Iris!" ... and all of my dear friends know what this means. :-)

And of course, everybody is blogging today, producing tons of content keeping people away from working. I am not that arrogant to believe that my blog will be your every day drug in the future - I don't even know if I will manage to be a constant writer. ;-) But as we know, it's all a matter of inspiration ...

So, I hope you enjoy and have fun with my news from Milan and my new life.

Yours,
Iris

PS: And as music is a big part of my life (and I am sure my 'Jungs' still remember me playing loud music in the office) this blog will contain at least a "song of the day". Hence, let me close this first post with the Lyrics of one of my favourite songs (long before Ronan Keating did the cover version) - accidentally, it's called 'Iris':

And I'd give up forever to touch you
Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now

And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
Cause sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything seems like the movies
Yeah you bleed just to know you're alive

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am