Nostalgic iPod memories

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Originally uploaded by iMaculate.

I just recalled that I once owned, however briefly, a 3rd generation iPod 20GB. Just busy cleaning up my disk space, discarding useless files when I came upon this cache of photos I made when I was taking the iPod on a test drive for the very first time. It was wonderful.

Apple did not skimp in those days, it included almost everything: Dock, Firewire cables, case, remote control. With my nano Apple didn't even have the decency to include a case and Firewire is just history. I think it cost 399 €, which is a ton of money considering that you can get the iPod 5G with whopping 60GB for the same amount.

I wonder where you are, little one. Hope you are fed some Miles and Coltrane, now and then...

TV snippets - Joschka's girlfriend

Ex-girlfriend of Joschka Fischer
Originally uploaded by iMaculate.

Ex-girlfriend of Joschka Fischer, as seen on a re-re-re-run of the German talk-show "3 nach 9" (1985?). Joschka Fischer, Germany's favorite politician, was being interviewed by Lea Rosh. She asked his girl-friend if his new mandate in Hessen as minister had a negative impact on their relationship. That must of been her 15 seconds of fame.

Anybody happen to know her name? Nice earring, by the way.

Going iPod = Going Gaga

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Originally uploaded by iMaculate.

This is becoming an addiction, I need some help. Just about over a month I was so magically persuaded to buy an iPod nano, never really gave it a second thought, it had to be mine ( I didn't even have the conundrum of having to decide between black or white, it was classic white all the time).

Then comes Steve on October 12, a week ago, for the Special Event and unveils not only the best iMac I have ever seen, but as a second act also presents the new 5th generation iPod, which most of the media has mistakingly dubbed iPod video (yes it does play video and that it really cool, but it remains a predominantly a music player).

How tempting!

The Bike that Mike built

Koga-Miyata Randonneur
Originally uploaded by iMaculate.

Got a new bike. It's a shiny new Koga-Miyata Randonneur, Model 2005, which I bought at eBay (at a considerable discount) in July. Yes, July: due to the turbulences which beset the life of me and my family I was just incapicitated to pick it up (conincidentally the store, Fahrrad Becker is in Lemgo, where I was born) then, so I decided to have it shipped to Berlin. So whilst all the Apple-nerdy attention was being paid to Apple's Special Event 2005 (more on that later) and all these really wonderful products were being rolled out, me, the Mac-enthusiast was solemnly anticipating the arrival of my bike.


Once I had set the gears in motion the bike was delivered in a jiffy. Picked it up with my son on a sunny morning in Grossbeeren at a the depot of a transport company (my son really enjoyed watching the fork lifts zig-zag through the gigantic hall).


Today I took it out for a spin. Since I had an errand to run in Charlottenburg I took a North-easterly route through the enthrails of West-Berlin (funny how I still have this division in my head) on this absolutely gorgeous day. The Koga felt a bit funny at first, but after a while it was a pleasure to ride. Felt like I was on rails. The handlebar-stem is a bit unwieldy at first, as I have thus far been used to simpler handlebars. But after a while it was nice to have so much room to change your grip.


Ah, yes the title, "The Bike that Mike built". Well Koga-Miyata and Rolls-Royce have two things in common: they both have their products made by hand. So out there somewhere in Holland a guy named Mike put my bike together. Because I got a Mike stamp in the documentation that came with the Koga. Would sure like to meet My Mike bike guy one day. If you are reading this blog tell me how it was like to make my bike...