As a friend of mine was singing at the local Strawberry Festival, a whole group of us went there to check it out.
The festival was held at the farm of a farmer in Weiterstadt, close to Darmstadt. A sunday afternoon crowd of mostly elderly and kids gathered in a big marquee and enjoyed a variety of dishes based on asparagus or strawberries.The Jazzband “Focus on Jazz” performed many ever-greens and also some less well known tunes. Overall they were really good, very professional musicians. Because of this, I got the impression, that the band was quite a bit overqualified for the crowd.

After the band, an asparagus peeling competition between some local “celebrities” was set up and moderated by a very distinct entertainer from the area. While the contestants were peeling away, she was singing behind them in a very strong hessisch dialect.

The “grand finale” was reached, when a dancing group of some girls from a local school presented their very enthousiastic routine:

Overall it definately was a very interesting and diverse Sunday arvo!

Gemeinsam für ein sicheres Deutschland. Die Kampagne „Du bist Deutschland“ war 2005 der Beginn einer positiven Stimmungswelle im ganzen Land. Diese gebündelte Energie hat sich 2009 umgekehrt, denn nun bist du potenzieller Terrorist und wirst überwacht.

Before diving in deeper, let’s cite Wikipedia to explain this concept in a few words:

[...] a social movement involving individuals who offer hugs to strangers in public places. [...] The hugs are meant to be random acts of kindness – purportedly selfless acts performed by a person for the sole reason of making others feel better.

At first we settled right underneath the Heiliggeist Kirche near the market. Being so lucky to catch on of the very first sunny and warm days this year, our signs were shining in the bright sunlight and the first confused looking people started to ask us why we were actually doing this. After dispersing the suspicion we might be some sort of sect or organisation trying to hook people, most people were amazed by this idea and loved it. Especially mid-aged and elder people agreed that Germany needed more of such events. (I think this is true for any country at any time)

A younger German couple we hugged early during the morning came back, carrying their instruments. After settling right behind us they started jamming on their guitars, creating an amazing atmosphere. As we were giving out our hugs for free, they also played without a hat on the street. (Thanks again unknown musicians, you certainly improved our mood even further!)

Around midday we moved down the road a bit, as the sun had moved away from our previous spot. We kept on hugging random strangers till the sun set behind the beautiful old-town of Heidelberg.
After this long day of hugging, everyone was rather exhausted. After dinner at a Libanese restaurant, we walked through the old town, catching a glimpse at the illuminated old castle. Later we crawled some local bars and got introduces to a “special” local schnapps. At the end of a long day, everyone joined their hosts, surfing some local chouches (thanks again hosts!).

Click here to view the embedded video.

Department of Public Prosecution
Canton Basel-Stadt

Criminal Investigation

…

Basel, Shrove Wednesday March 1977

Dear Mr. Schweizer,

regarding your inquiry dated 25th January 1977, I reply as follows:
The act of shitting pants is only liable to public prosecution, if those pants are not your pants and you commited the act with deliberation. Additionally a criminal complaint has to be filed. Under these conditions, following current practice, the grounds for a damage of property according to para. 145 sec. 1 StGB would be given. Thus the committed act is not an offence liable to public prosecution but a offence requiring a complaint to be made by the victim which, according to par. 6 StPO, falls into the category of private action. Thus you can be at ease and do not have to withhold your urge.

Concerning your letter dated 28th January 1977 I can reassure your, that your secret has been treated with discretion and that your “services” must have been misinformed.

Furthermore I am not able to help you with the issues depicted in your letter dated 1st February 1977. Nonetheless I can fully understand that the DM 28750,–, which you obtained by fraud to the expense of the bank, offered you more pleasure then the therefor prodounced prison sentence.

However I am relieved to hear that you currently have no truely serious problems aside the initially mentioned ones. Should this change, I would be pleased to offer you my aide and support.

Kind regards
Dr. U. Flachsmann, Prosecuting Attorney
Acting Chief of Criminal Investigation

Rene Schweizer
GAGA Basel
Aus der Lyss 20
4051 Basel
Tel. 25 12 06

Basel, 1st March 1977

Department of Public Prosecution
Kohlenberg 27/29

Basel

Regarding the letters dated 25th and 28th January 1977

Dear Sirs,

as I did not get a response regarding the abovementioned letters, I would be much obligated if you could let me know whe I may expect a response.

I am sure that it is clear to you, that I cannot deal with such a problem on my own. Supposing you do not consider yourself responsible for such matter, it would be of great help to me, if you could provide me with information about other bodies which you consider appropriate.

With sincere thanks for a prompt resolution of the issue
Rene Schweizer

Rene Schweizer
GAGA Basel
Aus der Lyss 20
4051 Basel
Tel. 25 12 06

Basel, 1st February 1977

Director of the Criminal Investigation Department
Lohnhof
Leonhardskirchplatz

Basel

Dear Director,

in 1968 I commited my first bank fraud, which resulted in 30.000 Franks and one year in prison.

As only the 30.000 Franks gave me pleasure, I wonder if there is a secret society, which educates interested and skilled young people to expert criminals. Have you, being familiar with this topic, heard of such an organisation?

I’d be very pleased to receive your assistance in this matter, as I would like to apply for an apprenticeship as soon as possible.

With sincere thanks for you effort and best wishes
Rene Schweizer

Rene Schweizer
GAGA Basel
Aus der Lyss 20
4051 Basel
Tel. 25 12 06

Basel, 28th January 1977

Department of Public Prosecution
Kohlenberg 27/29

Basel

Dear Sirs,

my agencies informed me that my problems, which I explained in the letter dated 25th January, are being discussed publicly at the tables of Spalenburg [suburb of Basel].

As my problem is not meant to be heard by the public, I would like to ask you for a little more decency in the future.

Sincerely and thankfull for a soon reply
Rene Schweizer

At a recent party with friends and a nice big bowl of “Feuerzangenbowle” I passed the book around and people just smiled and giggled reading a few of the correspondences. As some of them don’t speak German natively, I started translating on the fly and the idea came up to publish an English translation.

With the kind permission of René Schweizer himself, I decided to feature some excerpts in my blog:

René Schweizer
GAGA Basel
Aus der Lyss 20
4051 Basel
Tel. 25 12 06

Basel, 25th January 1977

Department of Public Prosecution
Kohlenberg 27/29

Basel

Dear Sirs,

I shat my pants and would like to know if this is an offence liable to public prosecution.

Respectfully with gratitude for you effort
René Schweizer

During the next few days or weeks I will publish more excerpts of this “tactical madness”, as the author calls it.

For those who read German, I can only suggest to have a look at “Das Original – Ein Schweizerbuch“, a collection of correspondences of the last 30 years.

Cheers Everyone
Tim (who believes in casual madness)

I’m sure this will be fun:

just recently I came across a site of brillian nerdy geek humor by Ernest Cline (to cite him, this is “Airwolf”).
I especiallly loved “The Geek Wants Out“, either read it, or even better listen to it in mp3.

Cheers to you all,
Tim.

After learning for nearly 2 1/2 months now, my mind goes on strike. Words start to become meaningless rows of letters after a while. There’s hardly any difference between my brain and my dessert anymore!
Little more than a week and I’m done for this semester, finally! Hopefully the weather will be more like spring by then.

I’ll try to wobble some more nondestructive testing into my jelly-brain.
Cheers, Tim.

“Sie wollen uns ans Ende der Welt jagen,
doch die Erde ist rund.”
“They want to chase us to the end of the world,
but the world is round.”
Found at the OBW9, the last punk resort in Stuttgart, beeing stormed by special forces.

“Der Kopf ist rund damit das Denken die Richtung ändern kann.”
“The head is round so that thinking can change the direction.”
Found at a trash container near the “Palast der Republik”, a small bar near downtown.

Cheers everyone.
Tim.

Cheers!

Let’s find a name for it, send in your creations!
Cheers! (to all the foreign beeings, roaming around Stuttgart this late!)