Geoff Stahl
37. An odd number, or should I say, a prime number. That “prime” is not to be read any other way, coz it ’s not such a primo age. Somewhere between 35 and 40, it doesn’t quite resonate the same way 38 or, better yet, 39 does. Even 36 has some umph. But I’m only 37 for a year and then it’s on to bigger and perhaps better things.
A startling year, yes. If I could have imagined where I’d be, say when I was 25 (I was actually in Sydney, Aus for my 25th birthday), this would not have been it. Europe seemed the undiscovered country to me. Now, I can feel, well not at home, but intimate with certain of its cities. Thankfully I’ve known people in most of the cities I’ve been to, so although I’m an auslander, I’m less a tourist. Well, that’s how I console myself.
But this chapter feels like it’s ending soon, and that’s an odd sensation. I liked this part of it, most of it. It has been an emotionally jarring year, which was aggravated by mysterious aches and pains and the end of a relationship. This last I’ve not said much about and don’t feel this is an appropriate place to air out these kinds of things. It was not an easy thing to do and I’ll live with that decision for a long time.
I’ve been treating myself to Berlin via my bike, which I’m not sure is going to last to the end of July. I ventured out west to Spandau on Saturday, doing a little self-guided architectural tour. Most of it was documented for pictures on flickr. Charlottenburg, Spandau, Mitte and Prenzlauerberg made up the eight-hour cycle. Felt good. Berlin is a flat city for the most part (’cept for the -bergs of course), and it was a warm day and evening. Kreuzberg sometime soon, Steglitz, Wilmersdorf and maybe Neukölln, where reside many wonderful architectural, mainly modernist, but a smattering of fascist and some postmodern, marvels. A small highlight of the trip was the Olympic Stadium, which I only got to see the outside of as I’m saving the interior for when friends come. Also, the Hansaviertel, which is actually like Modernist Row, had its moments, too, but as living units some of those buildings leave something to be desired (especially many of the bungalows).
Off to Stockholm tomorrow, a city I don’t really know (and certainly not when it’s green and warm), but will do my best to cover over the next five days. It’s mid-summer there, with celebrations happening on Friday night, so stay tuned for tales. Or so I’m told.
Music is on theme, with a cover of Altered Images’ “Happy Birthday” by the Wedding Present, and the original to boot (I have a 12-inch mix of this, but it’s a bit too interminably twee, so you get the single edit).
Iso G.