The Land Of Ozlem

Imagine

2012-01-04T14:23:00.000+02:00

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand."

Einstein
Think.About.It

Big City Serenity

2011-12-26T16:22:00.000+02:00

Back in the days ...

2010-10-08T19:43:00.000+03:00

I wrote an article today on BILD.de about the pop-idols of my youth. It was so much fun thinking back about the days my family and I used to travel to Turkey every summer and I couldn't wait to buy the tapes of my favorite artists. Tarkan, Sertab Erener, Sezen Aksu ...

If you want to read the article we published ... you can after the JUMP...

Image from http://www.bild.de/

True Romance

2010-09-26T22:53:00.000+03:00

One of my favorite SATC moments

Paulo Coelho aka God's gift to women

2010-09-26T14:44:00.000+03:00

I must admit, I have a crush on Paulo Coelho. Not on him as a man necessarily, but his ability to write down exactly how milions of women feel, all over the world.

I just finished his book "The Zahir", which is a jewel in itself. Everyday on his Facebook-Profile or on his blog, Coelho posts quotes, which are true treasures.

Today's quote: "Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worse kind of suffering."

Beautiful.

Lauryn Hill-Ex factor (live)

2010-09-25T15:28:00.000+03:00

Heavy Rotation

2010-09-25T15:19:00.000+03:00

Cab Stories

2010-09-22T12:36:00.000+03:00

I was in Rome last week, it was beautiful, inspiring, refreshing. It was for work, but I had a little time to enjoy the surroundings as well.

On my way back to the airport - random conversations, as always, to kill the time.

But this driver really intrigued me. He was tall, good looking, told me he was going to university to get a law degree although he really loved his job, driving for the hotel.

Then he told me about his wife. He has been with her for 12 years, 7 of them married. He moved to Rome from his home 10 years ago and she came with him.

He said he made her a promise: "I will never spend more than two nights apart from you." He said he has been offered jobs to drive to Napoli or Venice, but he only takes them if he can keep the promise he made to his wife.

So far he hasnt broken it.

Blessing

2010-09-04T23:40:00.000+03:00

I can't believe my nephew Noah is turning 1 tomorrow. Such a cute curly-haired blessing. <3

Life's good

2010-09-04T15:58:00.000+03:00

9 days off work ...

To relax, recuperate, see my friends, party, do nothing and enjoy myself.

Me-Time. Life's good...

Nazar

2010-09-03T21:10:00.002+03:00

My friend was in Turkey recently and brought me something very special. A so called "Nazar Boncuk", which is sort of an amulet that is supposed to keep the "evil eyes" off of you.

It's hard to explain in my own words what the amulet really means, this is how "Wikipedia" describes it.
"The evil eye is a look that is superstitiously believed by many cultures to be able to cause injury or bad luck for the person at whom it is directed for reasons of envy or dislike. The term also refers to the power attributed to certain persons of inflicting injury or bad luck by such an envious or ill-wishing look."

To the outside it might seem like a superstition, but in my country it's part of the culture.

My friend brought back this beautiful piece. I feel proteced already :)

Can't Be Friends

2010-09-03T19:04:00.000+03:00

Is it me or does Trey Songz really sound like R.Kelly? The lyrics are on point ...

Untouchable...

2010-09-01T23:04:00.001+03:00

Love doesn't ask questions, love just is.
It's self sufficient, it doesn't need anyone else to exist
So you're free to love, memories will carry you through
My gift and curse is knowing that I will never stop loving you

Dear Özlem

2010-08-30T17:39:00.000+03:00

Today I received a very cute video from a British boyband called The Wanted.

We get lots of material about new bands and singers trying to promote themselves, but this one was very innovative.

The band addressed the video directly to me about looking forward to meeting me for an interview this week.

Who can say no to that?

Think.About.It - Paulo Coelho Edition

2010-08-30T14:24:00.000+03:00

Ever been in a difficult relationship and didn't know how to act? Brazilian author Paulo Coelho wrote this piece on a convention for those wounded in love. Amazing, practical, so true if applied.

General provisions:

A – Whereas the saying “all is fair in love and war” is absolutely correct;

B – Whereas for war we have the Geneva Convention, approved on 22 August 1864, which provides for those wounded in the battle field, but until now no convention has been signed concerning those wounded in love, who are far greater in number;

It is hereby decreed that:

Article 1 – All lovers, of any sex, are alerted that love, besides being a blessing, is also something extremely dangerous, unpredictable and capable of causing serious damage. Consequently, anyone planning to love should be aware that they are exposing their body and soul to various types of wounds, and that they shall not be able to blame their partner at any moment, since the risk is the same for both.

Article 2 – Once struck by a stray arrow fired from Cupid’s bow, they should immediately ask the archer to shoot the same arrow in the opposite direction, so as not to be afflicted by the wound known as “unrequited love”. Should Cupid refuse to perform such a gesture, the Convention now being promulgated demands that the wounded partner remove the arrow from his/her heart and throw it in the garbage. In order to guarantee this, those concerned should avoid telephone calls, messages over the Internet, sending flowers that are always returned, or each and every means of seduction, since these may yield results in the short run but always end up wrong after a while. The Convention decrees that the wounded person should immediately seek the company of other people and try to control the obsessive thought: “this person is worth fighting for”.

Article 3 – If the wound is caused by third parties, in other words if the loved one has become interested in someone not in the script previously drafted, vengeance is expressly forbidden. In this case, it is allowed to use tears until the eyes dry up, to punch walls or pillows, to insult the ex-partner in conversations with friends, to allege his/her complete lack of taste, but without offending their honor. The Convention determines that the rule contained in Article 2 be applied: seek the company of other persons, preferably in places different from those frequented by the other party.

Article 4 – In the case of light wounds, herein classified as small treacheries, fulminating passions that are short-lived, passing sexual disinterest, the medicine called Pardon should be applied generously and quickly. Once this medicine has been applied, one should never reconsider one’s decision, not even once, and the theme must be completely forgotten and never used as an argument in a fight or in a moment of hatred.

Article 5 – In all definitive wounds, also known as “breaking up”, the only medicine capable of having an effect is called Time. It is no use seeking consolation from fortune-tellers (who always say that the lost lover will return), romantic books (which always have a happy ending), soap-operas on the television or other such things. One should suffer intensely, completely avoiding drugs, tranquilizers and praying to saints. Alcohol is only tolerated if kept to a maximum of two glasses of wine a day.

Final determination:

Those wounded in love, unlike those wounded in armed conflict, are neither victims nor torturers. They chose something that is part of life, and so they have to accept both the agony and the ecstasy of their choice.

And those who have never been wounded in love will never be able to say: “I have lived”. Because they haven’t.

Paulo Coelho

TODAY

2010-08-30T13:27:00.000+03:00

Learn from yesterday

Live for today

And hope for tomorrow...

Think.About.It.

CLASSIC

2010-08-25T12:41:00.002+03:00

The Roots - Break You Off
Hochgeladen von The-Roots. - Musikvideos, Sänger Interviews, Konzerte und mehr.

Think.About.It. 2003/2010

2010-08-24T18:36:00.001+03:00

I read this 7 years ago, loved it, reading it now, loving it even more...

A Good Woman

A good woman is proud.

She respects herself and others.

She is aware of who she is.

She neither seeks definition from the person she is with, nor does she expect them to read her mind.

She is quite capable of articulating her needs.

A good woman is hopeful.

She is strong enough to make all her dreams come true.

She knows love, therefore she gives love.

She recognizes that her love has great value and must be reciprocated.

If her love is taken for granted, it soon disappears.

A good woman has a dash of inspiration and a dabble of endurance.

She knows that she will at times have to inspire others to reach the potential God gave them.

A good woman knows her past, understands her present and forces toward the future.

A good woman knows God.

She knows that with God the world is her playground, but without God she will just be played with.

A good woman does not live in fear of the future because of her past.

Instead, she understands that her life experiences are merely lessons meant to bring her closer to self-knowledge and unconditional self-love...

BACK & FORTH ...

2010-08-19T19:36:00.000+03:00

This guy is a poet. J-Luv: "Hin & Her"

Classic

2010-08-19T19:34:00.000+03:00

Question Marks ...

2010-08-19T19:32:00.000+03:00

I Love ...

2010-07-01T21:09:00.001+03:00

FREEDOM

SPEECH

... freedom of speech ...

FAMILY

PEOPLE

NEW BEGINNINGS

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

CLOSURE
TO BELIEVE AGAINST ALL ODDS

MY INTELLIGENCE

MY ARROGANCE

MY HUMILITY

MY EMPATHY

MY CHOICES

MY MISTAKES

MY HEART

MY WOMANHOOD

MY BEAUTY

MY IMPERFECTIONS

MY VULNERABILITY

MY MAN

... GOD ...

... who decides when it all starts and when it all ends, but inbetween gives us the freedom to CHOOSE which way we want to take.

I CHOOSE ...

WHO I AM

WHO I'M WITH

WHO I LOVE

Bathrobe-Swagger

2010-07-01T12:36:00.000+03:00

I totally forgot to post this. This was a funny photo shoot with one of Germany's most successful bands, matter of fact, the first that rapped in German a good 20 years ago: "Die Fantastischen Vier". You can read the article published for BILD after the JUMP...

Photocredit: Frank Zauritz

And if you want to see some B-Roll from the shoot, feel free to CLICK HERE ...

Real Talk

2010-06-28T12:26:00.001+03:00

Let go of the dead weight and people that don't matter.

Hold on to love and what you believe in.

Don't give up just because things get difficult.

Give it some space when you start taking it for granted.

Eat, pray, love ...

Get out my life when you don't belong in it.

Mind your own business and take care of your own responsibilities.

Stop thinking you matter when you don't.

Don't define yourself through things that will brittle in time.

True beauty comes from the heart.

You will never be me.

Thanks for the attention.

Child of God

2010-06-20T01:11:00.003+03:00

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, fabulous, gorgeous, talented? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world

Nelson Mandela

Think.About.It

Unconditional

2010-05-27T11:44:00.001+03:00

Love comes in many ways.

I must say that I've only felt it once in its purest form: unconditionally. Meaning: The things that usually define love or your perception of love, lose meaning. The "do's" and "don'ts". The "nevers" and "definetely not's" no longer matter. The lines get blurry, rules implemented from childhood, girlfriends and movies no longer apply. It's a feeling somewhere between complete exhilaration and the verge of madness. Why? Because all walls are down. ALL walls are down - unconditionally.
It makes you change the way you looked at things. You don't even find yourself surprised at the sudden irrelevance of the things that used to feel important. Nothing's the same.
And the thing is: There is no way you can see it coming. You either feel it or you don't.
I remember a scene in "Sex And The City" in which Carrie wonders how many great loves one person gets. I just asked my boyfriend and he said: "One". I wasn't too sure before if that is true. Because if you can't be with that BIG love for some reason, does that mean you have to be satisfied with less next time around? Probably not with less, but with something different. Love does come in many ways, once in its purest form, if you're lucky.

13 years

2010-05-20T12:23:00.001+03:00

I know there is a lot of controversy about this couple's (open) relationship, but for a Hollywood couple to be married in their 13th year, they have to be doing something right.

I like this interview Will & Jada Smith had with Oprah recently. This statement in particular.

“If you don’t have a purpose for your relationship, if you don’t have a place that you’re going, something that you want to accomplish, something that you want to do, you can really get lost in the murk of the journey. There has to be a vision. Like, why are we together?”

For Hip Hop News & Entertainment at DimeWars.Com

Think.About.It

Sade - Love is stronger than pride

2010-05-20T11:00:00.002+03:00

LOVE

2010-04-01T16:07:00.000+03:00

My nephew Noah is six months now and one of the most adorable things I have ever been in proximity of...

The parents Joey and Rod recently celebrated his baptism here in Berlin.

All my close girlfriends are having children lately. Truly a miracle to see the gals grow up into the beautiful mothers they have become...

Heavy Rotation: Miss Badu

2010-04-01T16:03:00.000+03:00

I love this woman. Always have, always will.

Miss Badu!

Please go on her website and watch her guerilla-style-shot video "Window Seat" if you haven't seen it yet and you will know why I feel the way I do about her...

http://www.erykahbadu.com/

Hater

2010-03-22T15:32:00.001+02:00

It amazes me how people that don't know you at all have an opinion about you. Ignorant arrogance at its best.

Haters ...

Love this definition by the one and only Maya Angelou ...

Definition of a ‘Hater’

A hater is someone who is jealous and envious and spends all their time trying to make you look small so they can look tall. They are very negative people to say the least. Nothing is ever good enough!

When you make your mark, you will always attract some haters…

That’s why you have to be careful with whom you share your blessings and your dreams, because some folk can’t handle seeing you blessed…

It’s dangerous to be like somebody else…

If God wanted you to be like somebody else, He would have given you what He gave them! Right? You never know what people have gone through to get what they have.

The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they don’t know my story… If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, you can rest assured that the water bill is higher there too!

We’ve all got some haters among us! People envy you because you can: Have a relationship with God
Light up a room when you walk in Start your own business
Tell a man / woman to hit the curb (if he / she isn’t about the right thing)
Raise your children without both parents being in the home

Haters can’t stand to see you happy, Haters will never want to see you succeed, Haters never want you to get the victory, most of our haters are people who are supposed to be on our side. How do you handle your undercover haters?

You can handle these haters by:

1. Knowing who you are & who your true friends are *(VERY IMPORTANT!!)

2. Having a purpose to your life? Purpose does not mean having a job. You can have a job and still be unfulfilled. A purpose is having a clear sense of what God has called you to be. Your purpose is not defined by what others think about you.

3. By remembering what you have is by divine prerogative and not human manipulation. Fulfill your dreams!
You only have one life to live…when it’s your time to leave this earth, you ‘want’ to be able to say, ‘I’ve lived my life and fulfilled 'my’ dreams,… Now I’m ready to go HOME! When God gives you favor, you can tell your haters, Don’t look at me…Look at Who is in charge of me…’

Maya Angelou

Think.About.It.

Und er wusste nicht ...

2010-03-17T23:39:00.003+02:00

Und er wusste nicht,
dass jedes seiner Worte ...
ihre Gedanken stehlen,
ihren Körper belasten,
ihre Seele rauben würde.
Nach und nach.

Sie wusste es ...
und ließ es trotzdem zu.

Die Hoffnung trieb sie an,
der Trieb ließ ihn hoffen.
Auf mehr.

Ein Teufelskreis,
der sich zu schließen wusste.
Unerwartet.

Die wichtigsten Fragen im Leben beantworten sich von selbst.

Think.About.It.

Expectations - The Sequel

2010-03-17T23:27:00.002+02:00

"Expect perfection from God
The best from yourself
And not too much from the rest."

Trust me - it works!

Think.About.It

Can I Get A Window Seat?

2010-03-07T14:27:00.000+02:00

I love, love, love relatable music. Erykah Badu has written a song called "Window Seat". It's off her upcoming album "New Amerykah".

Chorus:

"So can i get a window seat, don’t want nobody next to me, I just want a ticket outta town, a look around and a safe touch down.
Window seat, don’t want nobody next to me, I just want a chance to fly, a chance to cry and a long bye bye..."

I always, always, always ask for a window seat when I feel pre-occupied and want to spend the time on the plane thinking about things. So once again Miss Badu made me smirk about her lyrics. LOVE HER!

Clarity

2010-02-13T21:29:00.003+02:00

And then it was over
Vanished like it never existed

Love

Unexpected it occured
Unlimited it felt
Unwanted it stayed

Until it left

Love

Relevance

2009-12-22T11:33:00.001+02:00

It's so interesting to me how people gain and lose importance in your life. People you once felt so close and connected to, play less and less of a role. Or more of one. In time. For a reason.

Relevance. That's what their importance is based on. Their relevance in your life is in direct relation to the level of influence you let them have in it. People usually serve a purpose and when they no longer do, well, they lose relevance and vanish. Sometimes slower, sometimes faster than you expected.

What I have noticed is, one usually doesn't have much control over the level of other's relevance. Although we think we do. We judge people. We judge people's behaviour towards us all the time. Based on that we make our decisions. We think that's what we're doing. In reality the emotional factor really decides what will happen.

Meaning: More attachement, less willingness on lowering relevance. Less attachment, more willingness on lowering relevance and eventually letting go.

Or not.

Think.About.It

Heavy Rotation!!!

2009-11-26T14:54:00.000+02:00

I was looking for another CD and found this one in a case that it wasn't even supposed to be in: Amy Winehouse's "Frank". I listened to it before, but never really HEARD it. It's amazing. Her voice, the music, and most importantly the lyrics. Most of the songs are very short, very sweet, very real, very honest, very FRANK. This album deserve its title.

I really hope Winehouse gets ahold of herself and starts to create like this again. Amazing album...

Meeting Mr. Kaulitz

2009-11-24T00:56:00.004+02:00

I interviewed Bill Kaulitz from the German band Tokio Hotel on Monday in Berlin. I must say I was very curious to meet the 20-year-old. I have seen him at a couple of partys before and of course the paper/website I work for writes about the band regularly, but I had never spoken to him in person before.

I remember the first time I saw his band perform was at the Echo Awards - German equivalent to the Grammy's - a few years back. I was pretty impressed that they put on a good show at such a young age. But there is no denying that there is something unique about Bills charisma: You can't quite figure him out, don't really know how much of him is authentic and how much is not.

To my surprise I met a very eloquent, confident young man that convinced me that he very much controls every aspect of his career and life. We also talked about his voice-overs in "Arthur and the Minimoys 2", about his style and his first kiss...

You can read the interview we published on BILD.de here...

Bill Kaulitz and I at the Ritz Carlton in Berlin (Photo: Parwez)

Me Days

2009-11-21T20:05:00.001+02:00

I love coming home. I love opening the door to my appartment knowing I have one or two days off and if I don't want to, I don't have to step one foot out of the house.

Today is one of those days. I think you should appreciate "Me Days". Nothings more relaxing than spending time with yourself.

Puffy seems to feel the same way. This picture says it all...

I Crush You

2009-11-21T19:57:00.001+02:00

I think this is the sweetest way somebody has told me that he likes me...

I am Telling You...

2009-11-18T22:41:00.000+02:00

Best in-denial-song ever ...

Before You Know It...

2009-10-24T17:09:00.000+03:00

... the year is over. We still got two months to go but a glance at my balcony showed me how quick time went by...

Some people make it far in life - here is why...

2009-10-22T22:07:00.004+03:00

I am a bit careful when it comes to believing the hype. Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are just human. So he isn't superman, she isn't wonderwoman, they probably don't have the perfect marriage BUT sometimes you have to let facts speak for themselves.

They have been married for a long time, she has a lot to do with why he is where he is today and she is in great shape. Now she talks about exactly these things in an interview. She gets up every morning at 4.30 to work out. So before she sends out her hubby into the oval office to run the world and the kiddies to school, she gets up at FOUR THIRTY so she can stay in shape...

Here are some of my favorite quotes of the interview...

I have freed myself to put me on the priority list and say, yes, I can make choices that make me happy, and it will ripple and benefit my kids, my husband, and my physical health. That’s hard for women to own; we’re not taught to do that. It’s a lesson that I want to teach my girls so they don’t wait for their "aha" moment until they’re in their 30s like I was . Maybe they can experience it a little earlier.

I know what makes me happy. I pick the clothes that make me happy—sometimes people like them, sometimes they don’t. I try to listen to my own internal guide. My message to women: Do what makes you feel good, because there’ll always be someone who thinks you should do it differently. Whether your choices are hits or misses, at least they’re your own.

When I’m unhappy with something, people know, because I don’t want to hold on to it. I’d rather deal immediately with the stuff that bothers me, so using my network—my girlfriends, my husband, my mom—I talk a lot, I vent. Even if there are no answers, sharing the emotions helps keep me stable. It’s good that I have my mom [here]. I can go up to her little suite of rooms and just say, "So, what’s going on, Mom?" And then I’ll start. Eventually we talk our way into a place of comfort.

One of the things that attracted me to Barack was his emotional honesty. Right off the bat he said what he felt. There are no games with him—he is who he appears to be. I feel fortunate as a woman to have a husband who loves me and shows me in every way.

YOU - The Sequel

2009-10-20T20:05:00.000+03:00

I just decided that if there should ever be a wedding situation Goapele and Dwele will have to sing this for me. I know the last posts have been kind of on the same note. I'm blaming it on the weather :-)

[Goapele]
One day alone, sometimes it soothes me,
When that day is through, I'm hoping you'll walk in,
I just miss you, I'll be ok, but it's better with you.

My cornerstone, you're who I go to,
Love that you've shown, doesn't compare to
any I've known, you're the exception to measure.
Pleasure.

My patient love,
forever enduring you,
You.

Oh, you, you.
Oh, you, you.

[Dwele]
Unplug the phone.
No more disturbing our time alone. It's always a journey.
All that I ask of you is to stay past the pain for the pleasure.
Pleasure.
It's been too long, come let me hold you.
Temptation's strong, it's what we go through,
Alas the storm, a new day is born, in the shadows of our love.

[Goapele & Dwele]
One look at you, you see right through me, you know my moods,
you know what I'm thinking, feel what I'm feeling,
cause you're my best friend, true.

Ohhh, you. You.
Ohhh, you. You.
Ohhh, hey.

One look at you, you see right through me, you know my moods,
you know what I'm thinking, feel what I'm feeling,
cause you're my best friend, true.

True.

You see through me.
Ohh, you. You. You. You.
Ohh, you. You. You. You.

[Dwele]
What I feel you feel.

YOU

2009-10-19T23:34:00.002+03:00

Du

Meine Prioritäten verändern sich
Mein Schatz, wenn du bei mir bist
Zählt nur eins: bei dir zu sein

Und wenn du nicht da bist
Vermiss' ich dich
Auch, wenn's komisch klingt
Ich glaub', ich brauch' dich
Du zauberst ein Lächeln auf mein Gesicht

Du erfüllst mich
Deine Küsse: unglaublich
Dein Blick berührt mich
Tief in meinem Herzen weiß ich: Du hast mich

Du hast mich

Auch wenn meine Gefühle deine überholen
Schatz, denkst du du kannst sie einholen?
Wenn's länger dauert, warte ich auf dich
Ich hab' alle Zeit der Welt, ich hetz' dich nicht

Und Schatz, falls du merkst
Du liebst mich nicht
Ist das in Ordnung, das kränkt mich nicht
Auch, wenn's wehtut, ich zeig's dir nicht
Bitte behalt du nur dieses Lächeln auf deinem Gesicht

Think.About.It - German version

Distance

2009-10-19T14:55:00.006+03:00

Does it draw us closer or further apart?

Think.About.It.

Love At First Listen

2009-10-19T01:43:00.004+03:00

About...

Desires.
Hopes.
Love.Fears.
Deception.
Honesty.

Denial.

I love this song...

Perfect Imperfection

2009-10-13T00:03:00.004+03:00

I used to listen to this song a lot. "Peace of Mind" by Lauryn Hill. She sang it at her unplugged concert for MTV a couple years back.

The whole set is very raw. Some people started certifying her crazy after this one, but I thought it was a a great session.

She is on her guitar, plays it wrong, sings lyrics that sound like she is making them up as she goes, chokes at the end because of her tears. I love the honesty it has.

Perfect imperfection.

C.O.N.S.I.S.T.E.N.C.Y

2009-09-27T02:52:00.008+03:00

It took me only 28 years - well, technically 10, because that's how long I've been dating - but I finally figured out what in the world women's problem is.

No, it's not men - that's always an easy blame to place - it's the lack of consistency in the DNA of male species.

Epiphany at its best.

What am I talking about? Well, check this out: Women like stability. That's an easy one to understand.

Most women want relationships, some women don't. Usually they are very clear about this either-or-situation.

Men usually can't decide what they want, so they play ping pong.

Women don't like games.

Men don't always play them on purpose, but they do nevertheless. And this is where it gets tricky.

If they were consistent in their game-playing, women could call it a day and move on. Or depending on how far their masochistic gene is developed, they could chose to stay. If they were consistent in their non-game-playing, women could chose to stay, or depending on how far their 'I need an asshole'-gene is developed, call it a day and move on.

But if the consistency occurs in consistently being confused and hence confusing the person of interest, consistency becomes the burden instead of the mainstay of the relationship

I'm not saying this applies to everyone - please note how often the words 'usually', 'most' and 'some' were used. And you could most likely switch the words 'women' and 'men' and this would still apply. Or not. Just some thoughts.

Denzelish

2009-09-27T01:53:00.016+03:00

My ex - when feeling particularly good about himself - used to say "I'm looking denzelish today".

Imagine being so good-looking that people are turning your name into an adjective... that is handsomeness on a another level.

There were a few attempts for me to interview Denzel Washington in the past years. One time he was in Hamburg and I couldn't go (long story). Second time he came to Berlin. I remember getting to the hotel quite happy and being told that his private plane just happened to be circling in the sky and had not received an approval to land and had to keep on flying (!!!). All of a sudden: Not so happy anymore.

So when he was announced to come to Berlin again this year, I was pretty sure that something would occur again and I would be prevented from interviewing Mr. Washington. I had just accepted my bad Denzel-karma.

The thing is: My mom takes pride in what I do for a living, but 99 percent of the time she doesn't have a clue who the people are that I meet for work. And I love her for it. But when I told her, I was supposed to be meeting Denzel, she - for the first time EVER in the 6-7 years of me doing this - said "Oh, really?! Tell him I said hello!"

Do you get where I am going with this?

Well, guess what? On the day of the interview (for "Pelham 123") I read that he had landed safely, I was in town too, the weather was good, it was happening!

The conversation itself was pretty cool. Denzel was laid back and yes, I must admit, extremly ~~fine~~ charismatic. We talked about him gaining lots of weight for the movie, about vanity and his opinion on people that say he is the hottest Oscar-winning, on this planet walking, male ever.

His answer: 'In a couple years the same people will say 'that's the guy who used to be good-looking'. So I don't care about that stuff right now.'

For all of you that do care about that stuff: Check these two portraits I handpicked just for you...

Click here to get to the interview we published on BILD.de

(EX)-Pectations

2009-09-16T16:07:00.017+03:00

"expectation (plural expectations)
- The act or state of expecting or looking forward to an event as about to happen.
- The prospect of the future; grounds upon which something excellent is expected to occur; prospect of anything good to come, esp. of property or rank.
- The value of any chance (as the prospect of prize or property) which depends upon some contingent event."

"disappointment (plural disappointments).
Disappointment is the feeling of dissatisfaction that follows the failure of expectations to manifest."

Today I was thinking about disappointment. Disappointment in other people to be exact. I wondered: When something happens and we are left with a certain feeling of discontent or even unhappiness caused by somebody else, is it really caused by somebody else or does it go deeper than that?

When something feels uncomfortable, of course it's easiest to pass on the blame. The food doesn't taste good - blame the restaurant. Music doesn't sound good - blame the artist. Book is boring - blame the author. With something so uncountable like disappointment, where does the blame start?

I came to the conclusion that disappointment and expectations go hand in hand. When you hope for someone to act a certain way to satisfy YOUR expectations and they fail to do so, you are disappointed.

So disappointment is rooted in the failed attempt of desiring someone else to know what will make you feel good and what will make you feel bad.

That in itself isn't a bad thing. But it can only come with consistency and time. By narrowing the number of people that you expect to know you well enough to not disappoint you, there will be much less of that feeling. It should be a privilege to have gotten close enough to you to have that information. It is good to have high expecations towards exactly those people. A handful, maybe, if that. Dealing with the rest of the people you encounter, it's probably best to put the expectations of knowing what's best into yourself. So if disappointment does occur, you don't waste time waiting for others to make you feel better. You can do it yourself.

Just some thoughts.

Resurrecting Midnight

2009-09-16T15:49:00.007+03:00

Eric Jerome Dickey is one of my favorite authors - I think I mentioned that before...

I've been reading his books forever, he is actually one of the reasons why I took an interest in English language, and he is definetely one of the reasons why I picked up a pen - well, keyboard - myself. But psssst, don't tell him that ;-)

Over the past year or so we have been in contact thanks to Skype & Facebook. Gotta love the internet!

He just released his new novel "Resurrecting Midnight", Gideon is at it again!!!!

On page 113 a woman makes a short appearance. EJD named her Özlem. Although the woman reminds the main character of a rather uncomfortable encounter, I am extremly honoured she was given my name :-)

Desires

2009-08-31T15:54:00.001+03:00

How I long to forget you

only to meet you again

in the eyes of strangers...

By Christos Voidis via ArtschoolVets

The EX-Files

2009-08-30T23:17:00.013+03:00

Today I saw my ex-boyfriend. You know my Mr. Big. The guy that was supposed to be the one but wasn't. I remember when I first saw him, after dating him a couple of times, I thought: This is it, I'm done. Don't really want anyone else. And this feeling came so natural. I didn't fight it because there was no other option. It wasn't that he was the best looking man I had ever seen, the best this or the best that, it was just the way I felt when I was around him. The energy he sent and I received. It just fit for no obvious reason. It was what it was. I thought I had arrived and when I had to let go, I was crushed. It took me a long time to get over the situation. Not necessarily HIM but the fact that he wasn't the one. As natural as it felt to accept him to be my soulmate, it felt the more unnatural let him go. But I did. This was a long time ago, but whenever I see him, I still feel the energy. It's not that strong, but it's still there. It made me think of energy exchanges between people...

The other day I was asked by someone what's going on between me and this one person. (Not the Mr. Big one) He had seen us at a party together. We barely spoke to each other that night. There was no obvious exchange of affection or dislike. But there must have been an exchange of energy nevertheless, because the guy that questioned me about him asked only based on what he felt when he saw us in one room together. Truth be told, there is a history between us, but the guy didn't know that. I was just amazed how he knew just by observing. Others didn't notice, he did.

I think the energy exchange slowly dissolves with the occurence of indifference. The more you stop caring about a person, the less energy you will send his way when he is around you.

I was in the same space as this guy, trying to send as little energy over his way as I possibly could. You know, the acting like you're not looking his way, pretending to be having the time of your life with others when in reality you want to talk to only him in that moment and when you do talk to him having the most casual convo ever when you really want to say things much more different than that.

And he did the same. I guess while we were both wondering about each other's behaviour there was at least this one guy seeing through it all. That's the thing with this kind of energy. You can't measure it, you can't solve it by formulas, you can't turn it on or off as you please. It's just there and all you can do is hope that not everybody's internal measuring device is as developed as this one guy's.

Septennial

2009-08-27T11:28:00.005+03:00

Last night I was introduced to someone and when she heard my name she asked: Aren’t you the girl with the blog? I was pretty amazed actually when she told me how she had read about “the fat cat” and me getting inked. I do write this for people to read, but it is very strange when the very things I decided to share I get confronted with. So, I decided to come on here today just to realize I haven’t written anything in two months! Lots has happened. I had a couple interviews, the one with Israeli superstar Aviv Geffen having to be one of the more interesting ones.

Other than that I have had a good and insightful summer so far.

They say every 7 years you go through distinct changes. I am 28, so this would be the year for that to happen. I can’t say too much has changed for everybody to see, but there is definitely a shift in my thoughts, emotions and expectations. More than ever I am realizing how important it is to allow yourself to let go of things. Shed a skin, relieve yourself of accumulated trials, tribulations and bullshit. Some memories are worth holding on to, some you just have to let go.

I am a person who always wants to understand why things happen the way they do. How do people become the way they are. Now I realize that some things you can't explain. Maybe you can, but trying to do that will suck up way too much of YOUR energy. Some things are they way they are and that's all there is to it. No further explanation, no question marks, no letting things happen over and over again just because you see a weakness in the other person and think you can help them.

So, that's what I am doing for my fifth septennial. Letting go. Making room for the new. Try it. It feels pretty good! :)

Le Paris et Christian Bale

2009-06-25T16:31:00.009+03:00

I recently flew to Paris to interview Christian Bale for the new "Terminator" movie. As the bell boy was leaving he told me to enjoy the view. Before I could say "what view?!", he pulled the curtains and revelead a huge terrace. So far, so good. I walked on it, kind of upset that the weather wasn't really on my side, being that I had the evening of and could've enjoyed sitting out there, when I looked left and saw the Eiffel tower.
I didn't jump up and down clapping my hands, but every time I go to Paris, I seem to be having a Carrie-moment. So, I put on my jacket and some thick socks and enjoyed the view. I had to.

As far as the interview was concerned, Christian Bale was pretty laid back, didn't scream at me, and said that he doesn't consider himself a hollywood-persona and doesn't want to be anybody's role model...

You can check out the article we published on BILD.de here...

Heavy Rotation - Future Hubby Edition

2009-06-25T16:12:00.003+03:00

Hands down one of the BEST late at night, lock your doors, wake the neighbours, no shame in your game songs ever. Mr. Maxwell...

Heavy Rotation - Turkish Version

2009-06-13T12:34:00.002+03:00

The queen of all things music - at least to me...

Cuteness in The White House

2009-06-05T16:37:00.008+03:00

This little cutie visited the White House, got a chance to meet the US-Prez and then wanted to touch his hair. Why? He wanted to know if it felt like his... goosebumps anyone?

It is what it is

2009-06-05T12:55:00.022+03:00

In the past two weeks, I have had the most random conversations with three people of the opposite sex. The reason I am stressing that the convos were with the opposite sex is because they were both deep and very honest. "Things you usually talk to your girlfriends about"-kind of stuff.

First convo was the most private and necessary one and it was way overdue. I was both shocked and relieved. Second was extremly unexpected and insightful. Third had a "mirror in your face"-effect. The last two took place in places where you wouldn't expect these kind of convos to happen. Totally random.

Maybe it's just me, but I think that right now a lot of people are feeling the need to express themselves on a deeper level. Maybe these convos were based on a mutual feeling of being able to bond or they took place because the parties involved feel the need for catharsis.

I do think very highly of men, but I do think that they have a way of presenting themselves a certain way to get what they want. If this way of presenting themselves doesn't go with the way they really are this usually leads to question marks. Question marks lead to confusion, confusion might lead to pain if feelings were invested.

So, my latest random convo was about exactly this. Dude said "I could tell you some stories now, put a little twist to the truth, and I thought about doing that, but I won't.' So he didn't. So that was probably as far as we will go, because his truth doesn't work for me. So something ended before it even started. Just because if it had started, it would've been destined to fail. How great.

How about trying to be more honest? Accepting your own truth, accepting other's? Tolerance all around. Lovely thought.

Heavy Rotation

2009-05-30T16:32:00.003+03:00

"You can be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare, either way I don't wanna wake up from you"

Heartbreak of the Rich

2009-05-18T21:41:00.004+03:00

Deep song from Mr K-West. They've been playing this on the radio here a lot, and the more I hear it, the more it grows on me. I think it's the lyrics. It's about having everything, but still not having anything at all...

Kanye west - Welcome TO the HeartBreak - MyVideo

So Shady

2009-05-13T18:32:00.008+03:00

Last Friday I went to a little town near Cologne to interview Eminem. I have always been intrigued by him, not being able to figure him out by his public image. So, while most people were thinking this would be a rather uncomfortable experience for me, I actually had a pretty good time with Em.

He walked in greeting me with a fake British accent, sat down sharing some of the German curse words he knows and then got serious when talking about his drug habit and how he got over it.

One thing that really struck me were his eyes. He avoids eye contact most of the time, but when he does make it, he has to the most intense look.

All in all, it was interesting. People around him were saying that it was the first time that Eminem actually went sight seeing after finishing a day packed with interviews and that he is in very good spirits over all.

Check out the interview here...

Schloss Bensberg in Bergisch Gladbach

Em and I (I know you're like duuuhh)

Breakfast, lunch and ummm dinner, didnt have any time to eat. Journalists do NOT have eating disorders. Just every now and then bad eating habits...

Somehow I am obsessed with taking pix from the airplane windows...

Nominated for Quote Of The Year

2009-04-26T13:50:00.003+03:00

"You can often tell how far your life and career will go based on the five people you spend most of your time with"

Let Will Smith tell it...

think.about.it

Yogi's Back

2009-04-25T15:55:00.005+03:00

I am known to give my two cents here and there, but I always try and speak from my heart. So I really like today's Yogi Tea-wisdom. And it's pure coincidence that the mug has hearts on it, too ;-)
"Let Your Heart Speak To Other's Hearts"

think.about.it.

So Hollywood, so lovin' it

2009-04-21T20:06:00.004+03:00

Damon Winter takes great photos, he even received a Pulitzer for this following photography of the US-Prez. Doesn't he look so Hollywood in this one? Of course I love it. Check out Winter's homepage for more of his work.

With this photo Damon Winter received the Pulitzer Price for best feature photography

Goodbye Tum

2009-04-18T04:13:00.002+03:00

Whenever I need to smile...

2009-04-17T23:57:00.005+03:00

... I go visit this little guy!

Remember almost a year ago I posted about "Life's little miracles"?

It's been eight months. Although I see him all the time, I still can't help but feel like he is a little miracle every time I look at him.

My friend is raising him to be the cutest little boy ever. All smiles, all the time.

TAFKATR - Interview with Dwayne Johnson

2009-04-17T20:03:00.005+03:00

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Dwayne Johnson - The Artist Formely Known As "The Rock" - for his new flick "Race To Witch Mountain". Nice guy, nice teeth, nice convo. Here is the article we published - for all the German readers :)

The Rock and I in Berlin

Dexter-Visit - Video online!

2009-04-17T20:00:00.002+03:00

And here is the video of Michael C. Hall visiting our offices... CLICK!

Vacation in the big B

2009-04-11T11:41:00.005+03:00

I love Berlin in summer...

I know, it's not summer yet. But for everybody who knows us Berliners, we will treat the first day of spring like it is summer. We storm the streets and parks, holding our faces towards the sun, soaking up whatever we can get before the clouds decide to cover it up.

I am on vacation right now. I took two weeks off and was supposed to travel to Australia, but that didn't happen. I looked for other places to go, was this close to pressing enter on a trip I found online, but then something happened that forced me to stay in Berlin.

Although the occasion wasn't such a happy one, I must say I love it. I've never spent this much time in my own city without having much to do. And being that I need and want to be home most of the time, I found a way to hold my face towards the sun and soak up all that I can get: On my balcony.

Five more days of vacationing in my favorite city in the world: My own!

Don't offend the Thornton

2009-04-09T12:48:00.008+03:00

Billy Bob Thornton - actor and ex of Angelina Jolie - gave an interview at a radio station NOT wanting to talk about acting and Angelina Jolie. But when the radio host mentioned in his introduction that Thornton does not only play in a band, but even got an Oscar in his shelves, Billy Bob caught an attitude, first boycotting all the radio host's questions directed at him and then finally letting him know why he caught the attitude. For the ones that don't want to watch the whole video *lazy*, fast forward to 07:10.

Basically he didn't want his acting career mentioned while he was giving interviews to promote the band. Apparently the radio host had instructions not to do so which he apparently ignored. Hmmm. To make things even better: Billy Bob refused to take the stage with his band after the interview and had the two do it without him!

So, question: If you don't want your band to be in the spotlight because you're an actor, why do you take the liberty to act like a diva when your band is brand new and your diva manners can only - if at all - be justified by you being somewhat of a somebody in Hollywood?

Being a journalist myself, I can imagine how hard it must have been for the host to do this interview all the way to the end. Nightmare.

Love Hurts? Not really...

2009-04-06T01:42:00.006+03:00

At least this version of it didn't.

I've been toying with the idea of getting this inked for a while and finally did it! The wonderful Walde from Scum Art Tattoo did a great job. I showed him the arabic calligraphy that my friend Sabrina found and he came up with the brushed look. Love it. Speaking of love: That's exactly what my new tat means.:-)

Somebody give Pharrell a Big Mac, PLEASE

2009-03-27T22:43:00.003+02:00

When a man is hungry, a man is hungry and he will do what it takes to get that burger...

The one thing you gotta love about Frenchies is: They don't give a damn who you are. The situation is as follows: Pharrell Williams is in Paris, he wants a Big Mac and an apple pie. But they're only serving breakfast at the time. Of course they will make an exception for Skateboard P., right? NOT!!! So he puts on a little show and does a dance. Still no burger, no shake, no apple pie. But I wouldn't be too surprised if this didn't land him a commercial with McDonalds. This is pretty funny...

Kanye got a Complex (-Cover)...

2009-03-24T16:57:00.006+02:00

... and a pretty good one at that.

I am pretty biased as far as Kanye is concerned. I do like that this dude will push the envelope. The by all means necessary-factor is what disturbs me at times, but the more I look at this, the more I like it.

I remember meeting Kanye a couple years ago and amongst other things, he showed me a video on his cell with all the new art he had just purchased and some kind of river he had built in his appartment. Yes, you could think he was bragging. I thought so too at first, but he was soooo excited about it. It was pure passion. So, I decided that I will define this guy as just that - passionate. And we all know that passion can make you take it too far at times.

Doug and Carrie, Doug and Carrie, Doug and Carrie...

2009-03-20T20:02:00.005+02:00

I interviewed the wonderful Kevin James for his upcoming - well here in Germany anyway, already out in the US - movie "Mall Cop". I last met him about 4 years ago for "Hitch" and it was a pleasure seeing him again. We talked about what has happened since then (two daughters), what he does when he's jetlagged and can't sleep (order room service) etc. I will publish the whole interview on BILD.de next week.

Just like Kiefer Sutherland will always be Jack Bauer, Kevin James will always be Doug Heffernan to me...

Think.About.It – Diva Edition

2009-03-20T16:29:00.005+02:00

I can't say that Marilyn Monroe is one of my female role models. Of course I think she was gorgeous, and I do respect her whole game plan, but isn't it usually the blondes that look up to her and want to copy, um, pay tribute to her style? I don't know. All I know is this quote of hers is one of the most honest and applicable ones that I have read in a while. Really feeling it.

Marilyn Monroe: "I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes. I'm out of control and at times hard to handle, but if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."

Think.About.It

Killing U Softly With This Version

2009-03-19T20:14:00.002+02:00

If your name doesn't start with a L and end with a N you need to stop trying to sing this song. PLEASE.

I love it when you call me big poppa

2009-03-14T18:42:00.010+02:00

A couple of weeks ago I met Derek Luke and Jamal Woolard from the "Notorious" movie. Derek is an actor I have liked ever since I saw him in "Antwone Fisher". Denzel Washington handpicked him for that role, and everybody that saw Luke in it, should know why. Jamal on the other hand had his acting debut in "Notorious". He was chosen by Biggies mom Voletta Wallace to play her late son. She was in Berlin, too to promote the movie, along with the talented director George Tillman Jr.

Dexter In The House

2009-03-14T18:23:00.003+02:00

On Tuesday Michael C. Hall from "Six Feet Under" and "Dexter" stopped by our building. After a day full of interviews he came to check us out at around 6.30 pm. We showed him our workplace and then went to our beautiful journalist's club on the 19th floor for the interview. The convo was pretty cool. We talked about his role as a blood splatter analyst/serial killer, meeting his wife on set, about profanity (they use a lot of it on the show) and I tried to make him sing, but that didn't work. Afterwards we went to the bar area of the club and had some beer. It was fun.

Michael C. Hall and I

I heart Jack Bauer

2009-03-10T21:47:00.010+02:00

I bet it must be a gift and a curse for an actor to play in a TV-Show like "24". Gift: It makes you rich, establishes you as an actor, Hollywood knocks on your door for movies and... well... it makes you rich. That's what happened to Kiefer Sutherland. "24" made him the highest paid TV-actor. The curse situation might occur when people meet you and actually think your name is Jack.

I met Sutherland today to interview him for "Monsters vs Aliens", a very cute Dreamworks animated movie. Against all my intentions of not talking about "24" too much, of course I couldn't help it once I had him in front of me.

When he started talking and I heard his voice, it was all over: Kiefer Sutherland is Jack Bauer, Jack Bauer is Kiefer Sutherland. "24" is the only show so far that holds the record for me of watching a whole season on DVD from Friday thru Sunday. "Lost" came close, but "24" had me hooked for a minute.
I was surprised though: Kiefer is much shorter and smaller in person. But a very nice guy indeed! He said that playing Jack was actually nothing but a gift for him. We talked about money, the lack of thereof, the message of "Monsters vs Aliens" being tolerance and teaching kids that it's okay to be different and that's why he wanted to do the movie...

The eternal idealist, gotta love Jack... umm... Kiefer!

Question Of The Week

2009-03-03T17:08:00.006+02:00

Can you really not have your cake and eat it, too?

Is This Real Life??!

2009-02-27T18:14:00.003+02:00

I think we have all asked ourselves that question. Maybe not necessarily after a dentist's appointment like this little kid David, not necessarily with one tooth missing, not necessarily in the backseat of our dad's car with him filming us on our first high.

I guess David was dealing with an over ambitious nurse. I am sure he isn't supposed to be THIS high just to get his tooth pulled, but I am very intrigued by the questions he asks while having his senses expanded.

Blame It On The Goose, Got You Feelin' Loose

2009-02-26T16:12:00.007+02:00

Gotta say I pretty much love this song. So funny! Jamie Foxxs new single "Blame It". Video is pretty cool, too. Sam Jackson is in it, Quincy Jones, but also Jake Gyllenhaal and Forest Whitaker. It's directed by Hype Williams.

Can't say I really like Jamie using voice box, but all in all this track might be a hymn to a lot of people. ;-)

Next Time: The White House

2009-01-25T22:39:00.005+02:00

So, of course we know Mr. Obama aka Mr. Prez as this eloquent man - he is the President for God's sake. But the swagger is undeniable. I can't lie, I have wondered a lot of times how he might be in a relaxed, private situation. This camera guy was able to capture one of those moments while Obama was on stage during the celebrations before his inaugration along with his fab fam, saying hello to the artists that have supported him: Beyoncé, Mary J, Queen Latifah, John Legend and others.

If you have ever wondered about the swagger like I have, please fast forward to 06:30and watch and listen from there on out. PLEASE pay special attention to Mrs Obama aka Misses Foxxy when she talks to John Legend about his efforts and concerts for their cause during the campaign (08:10).

"Next time: The White House" she says - she's got some of that swagger, too, I see. Gotta love it... Oh, the parties that will take place in that White House for the next four years...

Amazing Video on Stage of the Obama Inaugural Celebration
by JayZ15

First Time in Paris...

2009-01-24T15:39:00.009+02:00

... and I did not fall in love. But I had a pretty good time. It was a short trip. I got there on a Sunday afternoon, had dinner, went to a screening at 7 and walked up and down Champs-Élysées for an hour. Since I had never been to Paris before, it was fortunate that my hotel was around the corner from the Eiffel Tower. Without much time on my hands, at least I could see one of the sights.

I went there to interview Meryl Streep and Amy Adams for their latest movie "Doubt". The interviews took place at the Plaza Athénée the next day. That's the hotel that Carrie stayed at in the last season of "SATC". Remember when she moved to Paris with that rich Russian artist and saw the Eiffel Tower from her balcony? Yes, that one :-).

Meeting Mrs Streep was nice, she is just as eloquent and friendly as I imagined her to be. Amy Adams is cute and friendly as well. The movie is about a priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) that gets accused of wrong doing by a nun (Meryl Streep), but in reality it goes way beyond that. If you're looking for laughter, I'm not sure this is the movie for you to see, but it makes you think. Plus Meryl Streep's looks are priceless. The way she observes somebody from head to toe - she did it in "The Devil Wears Prada" too - unbelievable.

At Last...

2009-01-21T16:57:00.011+02:00

Barack And Michelle Obama's First Dance"
Hochgeladen von bornovali

Damn It, Michael...

2009-01-13T20:05:00.009+02:00

I love, love, love young Michael. I love The Jackson 5, love the energy that the group had, the talent, the legacy. I think it's one of the biggest tragedies of music business what Michael has turned into. How much must he have gone through to not even be able to be a shadow of himself.
Still, Michael is an icon. His first label Motown is turning 50 years this year. So his old stuff should be re-available pretty much everywhere. I suggest you listen to it, just to keep the memory alive of someone once as musically genius as it gets.

Je Suis Amoureuse

2009-01-11T22:40:00.006+02:00

Monsieur Louboutin, you're killing me with these. I told you I don't want to spend all that money for one pair of shoes, but you may not leave me a choice.

I'm in love...

Smile - It Works!

2009-01-10T20:24:00.005+02:00

When is the last time you've smiled? I smiled today for a very unexpected reason. Actually, I am still smiling. Can't say why, just yet. But sooner or later I will.
;-)
So I come home, open one of my daily Yogi Tea envelopes and this is what I read:

Think.About.It

Yogilicious

2009-01-08T01:27:00.004+02:00

You know how some people like all seasons? If I could skip one, it would be winter. Especially in Berlin, especially right now. All I am going to write is: 1 Fahrenheit, my friends. That's almost -20 celsius. Yeah, we are freezing right now. So, of course Yogi Tea is my B.F.F. at this moment. I have just discovered the Kombucha flavored sort. Not bad at all.

So while Puffy made camp on a blanket right infront of the heater, I came across this very special message. Not sure my Vegas-mug goes with it, but here it goes. Yogi-wisdom for all my cold fellows and those that like to be enlightened regardless of the temperature ;-)

"Be proud of who you are"

Think.About.It.

Will Smith For President?

2009-01-06T22:40:00.010+02:00

Will Smith was in town today to promote his new movie "Seven Pounds".

I interviewed him, his beautiful co-star Rosario Dawson and the very talented director Gabriele Muccino, who by the way Will also filmed "The Pursuit of Happyness" with a couple years back.

The interviews took place at the Ritz Carlton hotel, where Will and Rosario also attended a little get-together before the movie premier. But inbetween Mr. Smith took some time out to visit the BILD offices. Will came to our headquarters, answered some of our questions, took a little tour.

One of the questions was: Is he ready to play Barack Obama in a couple years?

Wills response: "I will either play Barack Obama in eight years or run for president myself."

Good times.

BTW: "Seven Pounds" is officially my "must-see" of January. I know it's been out in the States for a couple of weeks now. It is coming out in Germany on January 8th, so make sure to check it out!

To read the full article on BILD.de (including two videos) click here

New Year, New Start

2009-01-01T18:18:00.004+02:00

I spent my New Years Eve with two very close friends of mine. Millions of people go to Berlin to bring in the new year, I got away from the big city - and it was great.

I love the idea of a new year, just because you can leave everything that you accumulated in the past 12 months behind. Start fresh. Although it's just one day that seperates one year from the next, there is something very relieving about each January 1st. Love it.

Happy New Year!

Work hard, live well and take care of those you love.

"This year? Clean slate. Of course my past is checkered. But we're dealing with
the now."
Simeon Rice, NFL player

Yogi Wisdom Continues...

2008-12-30T21:02:00.003+02:00

I really love this one...

"Let Things Come To You."

Think.About.It.

Yogi Tea Wisdom # 2

2008-12-29T22:14:00.004+02:00

Today's Yogi Tea message was simple, but very clear...

"Let your heart guide you."

Think.About.It

Yogi Tea Wisdom

2008-12-28T14:54:00.006+02:00

My friend gave me some Yogi Tea for my birthday. It promises to restore your natural energy and balance - okay Joey, I can take a hint ;-)

Each tea bag comes with a couple words of wisdom from Mr. Yogi Bhajan himself.

Today it was:

"Compassion has no limit. Kindness has no enemy."

Think.About.It

Taking That Step

2008-12-27T15:53:00.008+02:00

24 days and counting, till you can climb those steps on a daily, Mr. Prez.

I love this picture by Pete Souza.

Cause Puffy Said So...

2008-12-22T14:45:00.011+02:00

The book I am reading right now is called "Dying For Revenge" by Eric Jerome Dickey. As you can see on the photo, my cat Puffy and I had a small dispute on who the book actually belongs to, but that is all handled now.

I started reading Eric's books like 8 years ago. It started with "Friends and Lovers", then "Cheaters", and after "Milk In My Coffee" I was officially a chainreader. The good thing was that by the time I got hooked, he had already put out a couple of books, so I could catch up without having to wait on the next release.

As you can tell by the titles, his books were mainly relationship-based, with his latest books he has tried something new: CRIME! ;-) I gotta say, I love it. This book that Puffy claimed is the last of the Gideon-trilogy. He is a hot hitman (well, at least in my mind he is hot), who because of a job gone bad becomes a target himself. Of course it wouldn't be an EJD if it wasn't a little steamy, too. So, go get it - cause Puffy said so! ;-)

2008 Recap

2008-12-21T16:47:00.026+02:00

What a year...

I must honestly say 2008 was one remarkable year for me. Work, friends, travel, love and CHANGE - I think 08 will stay on my mind for a while. Here are some of my highlights...

Work...

Sex And The City
I am a big "SATC"-fan. I didn't care much about it when the show first came out, but when I had to watch "Season 1" on DVD for work, I fell in love. Beyond the shoes and the sex, the idea of love, looking for it, losing it, finding it again, the wisdom behind it and of course the meaning of friendship: couldn't help but love it. Of course meeting the cast was something I had been looking forward to for a while. When "Sex And The City: The Movie" was coming out, Sarah J. Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis made their way to Germany. The interview junket was great, the premiere was fabolous and all in all it was a nice experience.

Sarah Jessica Parker...

... and I

"SATC"-Premiere party

Will Smith Smooch
This was an interesting one. I went to the "Hancock" press conference. Mr. Smith and Charlize Theron were there to promote their latest movie. When of the journalists asked Will what kind of superpower he wishes for, he said he'd like to read people's minds. He then pointed at me and said he could read mine and he knew what I wanted. . He got up, walked my way and planted two kisses on my cheeks. Was that what I was thinking? Nah, but he smelled good nevertheless, so I'll take it ;-).

Kiss, kiss...

Waaaalll-EEE
This was pretty funny, too. I interviewed Wall-E when he came over to promote his movie. It was adorable.

Eeeee-Vaaaa ;-)

Leonardo DiCaprio
This is one of the actors I have great respect for. He is talented, was talented 10 years ago and this I am sure of, he will be even better of an actor in another ten years. I met Leo in Rome on a beautiful fall day. The sun was out, I had a great lunch in a beautiful restaurant on a hill and then had the interview with Leo. He was very pleasant and professional.

Romeo, oh Romeo... ummm Leooo

OBAMA in Berlin
This was an an event I gladly assigned for. In the morning I went to the Berlin Tegel airport with a camera team and waited on Barack Obama to land. We then went to the Adlon hotel where hundreds of people where waiting already. When Obama arrived with his entourage he pulled a little trick on everybody waiting out front and went in the back door. After waiting around the hotel for hours the cam team and I headed towards the "Siegessäule" where Obama was to hold his speech. It was a beautiful moment. 250 000 people came to listen and were touched by this man's charisma, swagger and knew history was being made, whether he'd be president or not, he had already left his mark in this little city called Berlin. Well, we all know what happened just four months later.

What I recorded with my cell phone. You might have to turn your head (or screen) for this one ;-)

Waiting for the future Prez

A New Era
What a summer... Two of my closest friends went through very important changes: One gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and the other got married to the man of her dreams - and I was there to witness both. Biggest blessings of the year.

Not to forget the "Comeback Of The Seattle Swagger". Didn't see that one coming, but I heard it was here to stay...

After his first shower

Cuteness

Go, get your hubby, girl!
Beautiful day

Home is where...

2008-12-21T02:39:00.009+02:00

... your heart is?

Every now and then I miss the place that is home to my parents and that for some reason feels like home to me. I wasn't born there, I wasn't raised there, I only spent my childhood-summers there, I haven't been there in at least 8 years, but I miss it.

My parents were born in a place called Ballica. It's a small village in Turkey, surrounded by tobacco and corn fields. My parents didn't have electricity, had to go to the fountains to get fresh water, milked cows in the mornings and picked up eggs from chicken in the shed. They left their home and came to Germany during the 70's to eventually offer their children not yet born a life beyond what that place with the freshest air ever had to offer.

So I grew up in a place with running water, electricity, eggs and milk out of the supermarket. I was able to do what I wanted with my life and saw most of the world.

Still every now and then -like tonight- I feel drawn to that little place that my parents call home...

Ballica Köyü