Don`t Cha - Wish You Were Here....

Been a "Goner" for just over, 2 weeks, of this Planetary Time.

Now, I`m no "Goldi-Locks", short of getting some Serious Hair Extensions.. !!??

But, have been wonderfully, looked after, by 3 Swiss BROWN BEARS.

And, Eaten Winter-is-knocking-on-the-door-Fuel, in the form of, yes; Porridge.   :)

The "Mother-Bear" is a Professional Knitter.

During my magical stay with "The 3 Bears", seated around a Wooden Table, in front of the Fire-Place, she Very Kindly Knitted me a : "Made to Measure" Beanie-Hat.

To help, Weather The Cold, Conditions of Climate, Now that the CLOCKS have changed BACK one hour, here in SWITZERLAND.

She calls it : "The Polar-Bear Hat".  After, one of her Endangered... "Cousins".

She asked me to please "Blog-Broadcast" on her behalf, in this Post.
About POLAR BEARS, and Other Animals, for that matter, now that, err, "Humans"; not all; but a lot; of Our Species...
Will be, possibly...Thinking about Christmas...
So, would you, like to.
Kindly, could you, at Least, have a Think, about a GIFT OF : "Adopting", or "Sponsoring", or "Donating", Anything Toward Charities, such as :

World Wildlife Foundation ( WWF )

National Wildlife Federation ( NWF )

There is also SWITZERLAND`S WORLD WILDLIFE FOUNDATION ( WWF ).
The Website, can be read in either German, French, or Italian.
The "3 Languages of this Land"...


WWF Switzerland

Thank you, very much, for your time; "Over and Out; from Mama-Bear".

And - Over To - The Man who Built our Wooden Shack, here he is, "In Action"...   :)

Ah, NOW WE WERE LUCKY.  This is ANDRé REITHEBUCH, errhm, yes, "Reit - The - Butch".  He is MR. SWITZERLAND 2009.
The Swiss have AN ANNUAL COMPETITION TO FIND THEIR MISTER OF THE YEAR.

Here is a link, to the Web-site, Translated from German, into English, thanks to : Google Translate :

Mr. Switzerland

( By the way, the Deadline for next year`s Entries are : 30th November 2010, just giving you a "Heads-Up", but he`s gotta be a SWISS CITIZEN, to be able to enter ! )

Yes, "Mama Bear" and me, have been very lucky, as we were given a "Preview-VIP-Ticket", to spending some time with the above, Andrè Reithebuch.

Before the Winners of another Competition, get to have LUNCH, and spend a SPA DAY, with him.
Courtesy of a SWISS NEWSPAPER, called : BLICK.

Sorry Folks !
As the competition is now closed.  On Tuesday of this week, the Winners, get their, erhm... "Happenings".... Time with him. 
So, unfortunately, can`t give you the Web-link, but have "Copied and Pasted, a Translation of the Contents" from the NEWSPAPER BLICK.

Zu gewinnen !! (To Win !!)

Wellness-Tag mit André Reithebuch

ZURICH - Want to experience the Mister Switzerland 2009 up close? Hier kommt Ihre Gelegenheit: Wir verlosen 3 x 2 Wellness-Happenings mit André Reithebuch in Bad Zurzach AG. Here's your opportunity: We are giving away 3 x 2 wellness happenings with André Reithebuch Bad Zurzach AG.

Aktualisiert um 14:04 | 20.10.2010 Updated at 14:04 | 10.20.2010

Cliff Diving, Jungfrau-Marathon and more: André Reithebuch had a turbulent year.  Unfortunately, the Mr Switzerland 2009 has broken his wrist.  But now comes off the plaster - and treat yourself André on Tuesday 2 November - a full spa and wellness day in Bad Zurzach AG.

You can accompany the crisp man at the said date.  Because we are giving away 3 x 2 exclusive seats at his side, including lunch and part of massage.

Value of the pampering day: 98 Swiss francs per person. 

Just answer the competition question correctly and with some luck you wellness on 2 November «schweizermisterlich». November «Swiss mist Erlich." 

Geht mit den Gewinnern des Blick.ch-Wettbewerbs am 2. Go with the winners of the contest on 2 Blick.ch November wellnessen: André Reithebuch (wird am 27. Oktober 24 Jahre alt). November wellness: André Reithebuch (will be on October 27, 24 years old). (ZVG) (BMA)

Geht mit den Gewinnern des Blick.ch-Wettbewerbs am 2. Go with the winners of the contest on 2 Blick.ch November wellnessen: André Reithebuch (wird am 27. Oktober 24 Jahre alt). November wellness: André Reithebuch (will be on October 27, 24 years old). (ZVG) (BMA)

Well, `tis the beginning of the Season of Colds and Flu`s, so : "Bring on The Steam Room", she says !


Until Next Time.  Thanks For Reading.
Yours, CFC x 

Another Weekend....Another Fashion Choice, and Inspection.....

I will not repeat myself.

But, I will repeat myself.

Switzerland is VERY EXPENSIVE.

OK, Accepted Fact, but not an Acceptable, err, "State of Being"....in my humble opinion.

That Fact being, that - Most of "The World" - has become Very Expensive to Survive.

On a day to day, week to week, month to month, basis.

(Though there still remain, within this Lingeringly, Low, Economic, Climate, spots, where your money, can, err, "Drain out of your wallet", more, "Slowly", and shall we say : Reasonably....??

(And, I am, of course, leaving out, the various, other Facts, that there ARE very Wealthy People, all over the world, some even Thriving in the Economic, Doom and Gloom (no statistics please !)

Well, back to Switzerland.

(The above is a possible, Topic of a more Serious, Discussion, and Exchange of Opinions, and Experiences, to bring to the table, at a "Dinner Party", perhaps this weekend...?)

TAX on your Salary, here in Switzerland, is one of the LOWEST IN THE WORLD.

Taxation Rates, even VARY within the country itself.

Taxation Rates, on your salary change, From District to District, and even between, each village, or town, within a District !!

(I am digressing....I know....I know....but, hopefully, it is still, somewhat an interesting, read, for you, about, aspects of "Life", here :)

So - I give you THE BUDGET RANGE.

(No, this is not my, Private Collection, Made in collaboration, and in China, with, err, Karl Lagerfeld, available in Hennes, or something of an equivalent !)

Thankfully there is a Budget Range, in the two main chains of Supermarket's here.

One is called : COOP.

The Other is called : MIGROS.

Here, for your Saturday Afternoon, Shopping, Sampling is :

 

Coming to you, "Live and Direct", from THE BUDGET RANGE LABEL, OF SWISS SUPERMARKET - MIGROS.

BUDGET M.

To be found on the Lower Shelves of every Migros in the Country.

Well, the FOOD PART, of the Budget Range, that is.  Which has exactly, the same Packaging, and Colouring, as you see here. Green, Orange, Black, and White.

In truth, THIS CLOTHING RANGE, is available, (as far as I know) from the following WebSite :

http://www.m-stars.ch/marken/m-budget.html 

And - THIS BAG, DOES WHAT IT SAYS - it Costs - 29.90 Swiss Francs.

Got to go to All Levels, of, the, err, Swiss-Spending-Spectrum, Surely ?

Now, I am no longer, sadly, a : "Student".....

But, I am also, bringing to the Friday Night, a-for, mentioned Dinner Party Table, the, err, "Statement", that :

"Are we not, ALL STUDENTS ANYWAYS ?"

That is to say; are we not; All - when you, err -

"Strip it right down"....Constantly, Hopefully, LEARNING about Life....? 

Especially, and, ALL THE MORE SO, when one finds oneself, moving, and living in A NEW COUNTRY..?

 Now, Please do Contest me, if you disagree, I am Open to All Opinions, at This Evenings` "Supper Club" :) Here in Zurich.

                        
                                    REWIND to THE RANGE :

And because IT IS Friday Night.
And this BUDGET M, Fashion, does remind me of being Circa. Age 16-26...  ,-)
Here`s a Toast to :
"The Golden Era, of Budget Pasta, Noodles, Rice, and Beans - Continues..."

Even, Herr Lagerfeld, has been quoted to say :

I have now exactly the same weight I had when I was 18, 20.
Karl Lagerfeld


Until next Time, Thanks for reading, Yours, CFC x 

Thank Goodness for Friday, or, Freitag......Some Zurich Fashion.....

Take a stroll around the streets of Zurich, central.

Zurich city, which is divided into 12 DISTRICTS, or KREIS, as 

said here.

Be it: KREIS 1, OR KREIS 5.

Male or Female.

Walking, Bicycling, especially on Bicycles.

Bicycles are BIG HERE.

From Mountain Bikes (no more said...!)

To "A la Tour de France" Lycra-Biker-Cyclists.

To Retro Bicycles, complete with Classic, Black Wire, front baskets, carrying Fresh Bread.

(The Swiss are Very Good at making all different types of FRESH BREAD), and the rest of their small lot of shopping.

(I say small lot of shopping, not because of the size of the Basket attached to the Bicycle, but because SHOPPING IN SWITZERLAND IS EXPENSIVE....but that`s a whole other Post / Postings, in itself :)

What Lots of these cyclists, and people on foot, are wearing is: BRIGHTLY COLOURED BAGS, usually worn, slung around their torso, balancing either, on the hip, or on the back - a la Urban-Wear.

THESE BAGS SEEM TO BE OF A RATHER CLASSIC-UBER-HIP, Brand, here in Zurich.

(Or perhaps - "They are soooo last year Dahlink...?)

Worn, mainly, from what I have observed, so far, amongst, the 25-40 year olds.

(40, being "The New 30"....or so, we are told..!!??)

And thank goodness for that, she says !

As back in Medieval Times, would be Lucky, or Worse, to even make it to 40 years old, as a general life expectancy, statistical, norm`.

(Or so, we are told by Historical Sources...)

The BRAND of these Urban, mostly, Messenger-Style, Bags is called:

FREITAG.

(This world directly, translates to : FRIDAY).

In 1993, 2 Brothers, of the Surname : FREITAG, started the company.

They saw a gap in these Bicycling Peoples` Bag market.

The Weather, especially, The Rain, and, The Snow, would get most bags soaking wet.

Not so great, for the Lap-Top, and Important Papers eh ?

(Am now quoting, from their Swiss Web-Site, which can be read in English, as below).

http://www.freitag.ch/shop/FREITAG/page/frontpage/detail.jsf

The FREITAG brothers wanted a heavy-duty, functional, and water-repellent bag to carry their designs.

Inspired by, the cheerfully coloured LORRIES, rumbling along the cross-Zurich highway, just in front of their flat, they cut a messenger bag out of an OLD TRUCK TARPAULIN.

As the carry belt, they used Second-Hand CAR SEAT-BELT webbing, while, an OLD Bicycle Inner Tube, provided the Edging.

As luck would have it, their personal need, turned into a BUSINESS, which now employs more than 80 people.

Since their original messenger bag, the FREITAG brothers have developed, and marketed, more than 40 bags, for women, and men.

FREITAG products now SELL round the WORLD, in over 300 shops, at their online webshop, and in FREITAG shops in Zurich, and other cities in Switzerland.

They continue to be MADE IN SWITZERLAND, beside the cross-city highway which inspired them in 1993.

Between @ 135.00 and 400.00 Swiss Francs.

They are not cheap.

But, one would hope, that...

Because they are made from essentially RECYCLED PRODUCTS, and HARD WEARING LORRY TARPAULIN.

That by purchasing, and owning a FREITAG BAG, one is -

- as another company, That being "The World Wildlife Fund", Charity, would put it:

"One Bag. One Planet."

So Be You "into" Green, and Recycling, or not.

Cannot deny, that there are SO many, deeply disturbing, reports, and evidence, on how the Planet is doing, in this, what is called : 2010.

That the Future, looks pretty, damned bleak, through Generations, of Greed, Cruelty, and Ignorance....
(Filming of Children scavenging on Huge Rubbish Dumps, in India, and Africa - is evidence enough - without the need for any Source of commentary...)

So, not only do these FREITAG BAGS bring some Colour, to the general fashion, on the streets of Zurich.

Perhaps, they are Contributing, not only to keeping people in Employment....
And also, The Planet "Colourful", and Better Cared for....?

Hope is a Fine Thing.

Until next Time, Thanks for reading, Yours, CFC x

This one Goes out To Billy - Thank You for Correcting Me ! :)

Received a Comment last night, to Post about The Eurovision Song Contest.

Firstly, Thank YOU very much, for taking the time to write to me Billy.
AND, for correcting my Big Error, of Information.
OOPS !
My sincere, apologies, to Parties, One, and All, for that.

Switzerland last WON THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST, in 1988.

CELINE DION represented Switzerland.

Singing in French.
A song called : 
"Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pEYw8PcBas



Until next Time, Thanks for reading, Yours, CFC x

Ladies and Gentlemen....Seriously, Cheesy, Calling.......

"Ladies and Gentlemen....Miss. Grace Jones...."Slave to The Rhythm".

"I`m just playing around, baby.  Work All Day, as Men who Know, Wheels must Turn, to keep The flow...."

Unfortunately, there are no GRACE JONES`S, at THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST.
In fact, quite the, err, Opposite.

But it did give us The Eternal, The InExpendable, The Ingenious, and Fantastic, All-Time :  ABBA :)

And, I do believe, that we have all, Danced to : "Dancing Queen"?!

And I really do mean, we have ALL DANCED TO "DANCING QUEEN" :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HM5dctUdfw

 

And it will remain, an All-Time Classic, for young and old, and the Above : "Techno Viking" :) !!

Today, in spite of Increasing Pyrotechnics, Wattage Factor, and: The usage of The Wind Machine, Blasting in the face, and long flowing hair, of virtually every Lead Singer.
All singing, from the depths of their veins, virtually a-popping with The Drama.
Singing and dancing, flame throwing, fire eating, and, err, even, Ice Skating....
From Countries, we are mostly, somewhat, still embarrassed to have, err, STILL: "Never Heard of".....??..!!


THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST.
OH YES !!
What people love - to - hate.
And hate - to - love.


I fall under, the former category.
After, Working All Day.....and Keeping one`s mouth nicely shut, to keep the Wheels Turning, to keep the Flow....Gotta Pay those Bills....
What an Enjoyable RELEASE !!! :)
To have a Good, Honest, Shout at, and a Good Laugh at, amongst friends, at the, err, "Expense", of The, Most Serious, and yet Most Ridiculous - Eurovision Song Contest.
Priceless. 
(Of course, this also, depends upon, what happens to be, your Type of, Sense of Humour...?)

Anyhow, even if THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST, is something that you avoid, as if it were, a kind of Musical, Entertainment "Plague".
My question, in this Post, does have something to do with Switzerland.
Really it does !


THE FIRST EVER - EUROVISION SONG CONTEST - was held, here, in SWITZERLAND.
On May 25th, 1956.
In Lugano - The Italian Part, of this country.


It was the very same year, that ELVIS PRESLEY recorded his first record: "HeartBreak Hotel".
And, made is FIRST EVER Appearance, on U.S. Television.
        
1956.

And, as for Switzerland....

Well that was THE FIRST TIME, AND THE LAST TIME IT WON, The Eurovision Song Contest.

With a song, sung in French, called : "Refrain".

Sung by Lys Assia.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TA9mNzUKSs 




And there, ends, this Musical Interlude.
Hope you got your drinks, pop-corn, hot-dogs, nachos, and ice-cream, during the process !


Until next time, Thanks for reading, Yours CFC x

Beyond The Yodel-Factor..... Swiss Music...Now.....

In our Continuing Search-ing, about life, here, in Modern-Day-Timing, Switzerland.

Looking Over, Above, and Under, The rocks, in all of the Lakes....for seriously satisfying "Answers"....
(Been Scuba-Diving every night, between 0100hrs-0400hrs, in order to try, to achieve this Task..!!??)

And since, the last Post, was about: Possible, Undiscovered, Musical Talent....
I give you - Cheese Filled Chocolates - Unfortunately, no, we are not a Band.
But, here are our current, Discoveries, about SWISS MUSIC, BEYOND The Yodel-Factor, and the CLICHE....

You see, I love music.
And, happen to be A Great Believer, in the fact that, Great Music can, Also, come out of, Other countries, Other than "The United Kingdom"...
There is no Musical, how to put it politely...?
"Nombrilism"...being carried, in this particular, Expat-Suitcase. I would like to hope and maintain...??!
Infact.
THE MORE International, the Collection of CD`s, and DownLoads - The Happier this Typist be :)

Do you remember, Dear Reader, the Electro Duo : YELLO ?

And that track from 1988, called : "THE RACE".

Have a click on this, it might jog your memory...?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjoQiqY9MN4
 
Well this year, these 2 guys, who have been going, since @ 1979, were presented with THE Outstanding Achievement Award, at THE SWISS MUSIC AWARDS, held, at Zurich City`s SCHIFFBAU ARTS COMPLEX.

THEY ARE SWISS.
And after ALL THESE YEARS, I certainly, NEVER KNEW !!!  Until Today, that is :)

AND, they are STILL going...
Found this, and a Big Smile, came across my face; a bit like when, err, Sir Tom Jones; gets his "Groove On".


From 2009, "The Expert", by, Swiss Musicians, YELLO.
Now, THIS IS FUNKY STUFF, Trust me !
Turn up the Volume - but not between the hours of 12 and 2pm....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYUs9aPiYQ0




According to my source, that being : www.swissinfo.ch 
(Thank you very much :)

For the first time, A Critic`s Choice, Jury Prize, was awarded at The Swiss Music Awards, this year.

It went to BIG ZIS.
A woman who RAPS in Zuriduutsch.
That being SwissGerman, which is a Language / Dialect, which is ONLY spoken, and not written.
She comes from a town near Zurich, is in her early 30`s, and been on the Swiss Music "Scene", since @ 1995.
With Hip-Hop, Electro, ROCK and PUNK influences, and, containing, ironic, provocative, content.
(Or at least, I am told, as I do not understand SwissGerman, but it can sound Gut !)


Her latest Album Title, loosely translates as:
"What The Size : Z To Do With Me ?"
Here is a track called : "S isch All" ...."That`s All"...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emwT9cR3li8&feature=related 


And now, we move onto, the Subjects, of Happy, and Hunger.

POP SINGER HEIDI HAPPY, sings in English, and took Jazz singing lessons at a school, in Lucerne.
Amsterdam, is the city, where she composes, her JAZZ, FOLK, CHANSON, CHAMBER MUSIC.
Here are some choices, from her latest Album, entitled : "Flowers, Birds And Home".
http://www.heidihappy.ch/#


SOPHIE HUNGER, is a FOLK-POP-BLUES singer from Zurich.  Who has also lived, in Germany, and the U.K. 
She composes most of her songs in English, "That", Swiss-German dialect, and German.
She also plays guitar and piano.
This June she played, at Glastonbury, and, last month, she played, with her band, in Barcelona.

Her latest Album is called : "1983 - Now".
Here is "Citylights", as a - taster...
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngen_jfWB04&feature=related


I am most definitely using, the word -Taster-, for a simple and pure reason.
Because, apart from YELLO, and going, err, "Way Back" to 1988, to their track, called: "THE RACE".
All of the above Singers, and Musicians, are New to my Ears.
And Swiss-New.
After all, can`t live in a Country, and not know, Some of the music - surely...??!
I sincerely hope to discover more :)

 
It would not be right, to sign off this Post, without paying respects to :
Steve Lee, Lead singer, of the Swiss, Classic-Rock Band, GOTTHARD.
Who died, in a Motorbike crash, 2 days ago, on Tuesday 5th October, in Las Vegas.
 

http://www.gotthard.com/

R.I.P.


Until next Time, Thanks for reading, Yours, CFC x
 

Where is, the Swiss - X FACTOR - ?? - To Vote, Or Not to Vote - ??

Saturday nights, saving money, staying in.

And watching ordinary people, with ordinary lives, trying to get an opportunity to make their lives extra-ordinary, by doing something they love, which can also make them, hopefully (no rip-off recording contracts please) a lot of (ahh, come to Switzerland, and make it Tax-Free) Money.

I am talking about the Television Programme Phenomenon; THE X-FACTOR.

There are many arguments to be a debated on, possibly over a nice, good, deep, rich red wine, and salty snacks, here.

The X-Factor.

For, or Against, or Indifferent, or Neutral....?

Exploitation of the masses ?

False hopes and dreams ?

Manufactured emotions ?

Certain individuals being made a mockery of, in sometimes, perhaps, distasteful ways ?

The Humour, The Drama, The Sad, and The Mad, Personal Stories ?

But, above all, There is the SHEER VOLUME of people who turn up to sing and apply !!??

That`s SHOW BUSINESS....

Entertainment around the Globe, usually shown, on a Saturday night, at "Peak Viewing Hours".

And this is my point :

Where is the SWISS X-Factor ??

Thank you very much "Wikipedia", from which I now cite, as my source of, err, "Knowledge", on the subject of this Post :)

There is a German X-Factor, which started, in September, this year, on Channel Vox.

There is a French X-Factor, whose second series, is due to start, early in 2011, on Channel M6.

There is an Italian X-Factor, which started, in 2008, and is now in its fourth series, on Channels, Rai Due, Rai 4, and Rai Sat Extra.

OK - err, are these not the make up of the 3 Parts of Switzerland..? - I use the word parts, forgive me, for not being able to find a Better Way to try to Summarise, the way the "Lay of the Land" has Evolved over the Centuries, here in Switzerland.

There is a SWISS LOTTO, called: SWISSLOS.

This is played on a Saturday night, here in Switzerland.
Also at "Peak-time".

But, no X-FACTOR....???

Which, is as much a Lottery, as any other - no ?

How strange - for there must be many a, not so "Shy" Swiss Folk, who Can sing, and who Want to sing..(and beyond, or even including the Skills of Yodelling....)and who would Love an opportunity, in a very tough world to, err, "Break in-to"...

To Date, the Original, British X-Factor (which started in 2004, now showing its seventh series, on Channel ITV)has FRANCHISED THE X-FACTOR SHOW to the following countries:

Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, USA, and Arab World.

The British Isle (surrounded by Seas) is well-known, well established, for being a HUB OF MUSIC on this, Planet Earth.

The Swiss Isle (surrounded by Land) is well-known, well established, for being a HUB OF CHEESE, CHOCOLATE, WATCHES, BANKING AND INSURANCE.

And many VOTING REFERENDUMS....

In my humble opinion, there is a HUB of MANY THINGS, IN MANY COUNTRIES.

And MANY X-FACTORS, which need a Voice....

On that, err, note....Listen to these 3, Candidates, First Audition, Voices.

They have my Vote, and Best of Luck.

(Though I must admit, that not sure where these Successful First Audition-nee-s are now in the overall Competition...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRG7N_koxF0

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GelUq-Nnaq0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJK0fnla49A

Perhaps there Should be a Voting Referendum....on having a Swiss X-Factor ?...?!

The Swiss seem to be Very Good at having Voting Referendums.

(Please find, quoted, again courtesy, and thanks to, Wikipedia.)

 

Switzerland

In Switzerland, there are binding referendums at federal, cantonal and municipal level. They are a central feature of Swiss political life. It is not the government's choice whether or when a referendum is held, but it is a legal procedure regulated by the Swiss constitution. There are two types of referendums:

• Facultative referendum: Any federal law, certain other federal resolutions, and international treaties that are either perpetual and irredeemable, joinings of an international organization, or that change Swiss law may be subject to a facultative referendum if at least 50,000 people or eight cantons have petitioned to do so within 100 days. Within cantons and municipalities, the required number of people is smaller, and there may be additional causes for a facultative referendum, e.g., expenditures that exceed a certain amount of money. The facultative referendum is the most common type of referendum, and it is mostly carried out by political parties or by interest groups.
• Obligatory referendum: There must be a referendum on any amendments to the constitution and on any joining of a multinational community or organization for collective security. In many municipalities, expenditures that exceed a certain amount of money also are subject to the obligatory referendum. Constitutional amendments are proposed by the parliament or by the cantons or by citizens' initiatives. Citizen's initiatives at the federal level need to collect 100,000 valid signatures within 18 months, and must not contradict international laws or treaties. Often, parliament elaborates a counter-proposal to an initiative, leading to a multiple-choice referendum. Very few such initiatives pass the vote, but more often, the parliamentary counter proposal is approved.

The possibility of facultative referendums forces the parliament to search for a compromise between the major interest groups. In many cases, the mere threat of a facultative referendum or of an initiative is enough to make the parliament adjust a law.

The referendums are said, by their adversaries, to slow politics down. On the other hand, empirical scientists, e.g. Bruno S. Frey among many, show that this and other instruments of citizens' participation, direct democracy, contribute to stability and happiness.

Until next Time, Thanks for reading, Yours, CFC x
 

Resting on the Back of a Dinosaur, Eating Pumpkin Salad...

Good afternoon.

I am breaking the, errhm, "Rules", by possibly even writing this on a Sunday.

Sunday is a day of Democratically, politely, and yet, powerfully, "Enforced" - Rest.

Here in Switzerland.

They, of the Powers That Be, and General Folks around here, have an extremely good point.

A Complete Day of: Forcing oneself to "Do nothing".

As it would seem to me, and please do correct me, if I am wrong !

That it has become, a more and more, difficult thing to do these days.

There exists a Democratically, "Enforced", kind of Social GUILT, to admitting :

I am doing nothing.

We are doing nothing.

And that, all of this "Nothing-ness", is ACTUALLY OK TO DO !!!??

(Good God, The Shame of it all !!!??)

So, in keeping with this spirit, this Post on Those Pumpkins, which I now feel compelled to complete, comes written to you, from my little tent/canopy/resting chair (a la during the Indian Raj Empire, on the top of an Elephant - Style) (Hope you get the picture ?)

Except I am doing exactly the same thing, riding on the top of a (which to chose??) Dinosaur, somewhere, Lost in Time.

Never knew that Pumpkins could get so creative and fun.

Has shown and taught me a whole new dimension to Apres-Harvest.

As much as there is the infamous Apres-Ski.

This is another, Swiss-way, of Activity, and Relaxation, for adults and children.

Needless to say the place was full of young families really enjoying themselves.

Swinging on Big Striped Hammocks, suspended amongst the trees.

All rather Idyllic and "Pure" stuff.

As the Farms Brochure said, to quote : " Ein Paradies fur Kinder".

Paradies, Paradise - doesn`t really need much translating there eh ?!

The cafe-restaurant was serving Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Salad (diced with sesame seeds and vinaigrette-very tasty.)

Though still don`t know which was more "Scary" - The Scarecrows on sale, or The Dinosaurs, taken from the DNA, of both Carnivore and Herbivore...??

Creative and Colourful, and all using Natures Finest.

A working, growing farm, and an enterprising, social business, with a full social calendar, of events lined up throughout the change of seasons.

Very clever stuff.

 http://www.juckerfarmart.ch/

After giving the baby goats a stroke, washed our hands, and then rubbed in a bit of a Tester Tube of : Pumpkin Hand-Cream.

Now, that was a first :)

Gave the car a nice, happy, smell on all the way home.

Until Next time, Thanks for reading, Yours, CFC x