2011 Roundup — 2012 Outlook

Here are a few little known facts:

☛ 2011 has been very, very good to me.

☛ This year, I’ve worked on four continents: Australia, Asia, Europe and North America. On those continents, in 16 states/countries: Minnesota, Arizona, California, Western Australia, South Australia, South Africa, Moçambique, Swaziland, Namibia, Laos, Cambodia, Japan, Italy, UK, Germany, and of course, Switzerland.

☛ I’ve been on a lot of planes this year: 34 flights in total, to be exact. My CO2 balance is through the roof and my karma is pretty much f—ed. For next year I’m planning a big trip to the Middle East, sans planes. I’ll take the night train towards Belgrade, and will travel east from there by bus, minibus taxi and riksha.

☛ I still have never been to South America and hope this will change soon.

☛ As of 12AM today, my website and blog have been visited 13,695 times (this year).

☛ In 2011, I’ve discovered some cool things: Al-Jazeera, for example. Great news coverage and interesting behind-the-headlines reports. Give me a double espresso and Al-Jazeera for breakfast and I’m happy.

☛ I’ve started following the Zurich football club FCZ. It started out kind of as a joke, after I photographed soccer star Mathieu Béda for a Belgian newspaper, when I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I discovered that watching soccer games on TV is a great way to relax! And reading sports articles in NZZ is quite entertaining. I even went to a game (and the press afterparty) with my good twin friend Luc. — It was strange, but going to this game at the Letzigrund made me feel very connected to my neighborhood, and Zurich, and I realized that even though I always complain about its people and their lousy attitude, I love this city dearly and feel at home here. So, yes, sign me up, I’m a fan. Südkurve!

☛ I have an iPhone now and that in itself is not very revolutionary, but thanks to my friend Sereina, I discovered a really awesome app. It’s called CityMaps2Go, and it’s incredibly useful for when you travel. You can download a ton of maps from all over the world onto your phone and use them offline (without any roaming charges), with your phone’s GPS still being able to locate you. I used it when I was in London and it worked really well.

☛ I love the The New Yorker Fiction Podcast and religiously download and listen to all episodes.

☛ Favorite book 2011: Richard Price’s “Clockers.” Richard Price co-wrote the HBO series “The Wire,” so it’s needless to say his novel also kicks some major ass. Speaking of television: my favorite TV series 2011 is “The Killing.” My obsession with law enforcement is getting a bit out of hand.

☛ My 2011 song: “Gone” by Kanye West feat. Cam’ron and Consequence, and movie: “Beginners” by Mike Mills – and “The Lincoln Lawyer” (see above mentioned obsession).

☛ Most embarrassing situation 2011: During a Swissbanking shoot, I was standing inside a locomotive cabin, chatting about interesting train things with the engine driver and the SBB press guy who accompanied us. I leaned against the door which all of a sudden opened – I violently fell on my butt, right into a car full of people. In an attempt to protect my camera from hitting something, I stretched out my arm in a really awkward way. I must have looked like a crazy person! The most hilarious part was that I was wearing a bright orange safety vest. The press person almost fell over laughing as he was helping me up.

2012 will hopefully be just as exciting – so far I know this: I will travel to Johannesburg once again very soon for two assignments and then spend two spring months in the US to continue my project about US Army veterans.

Have a wonderful 2012, everyone!

View from my office, December 2011