journal features

one year, already!

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Toronto, 2011.10.31

Tomorrow will be the anniversary of my return to Toronto from Canada; at the time I had no job or home, and was alone.

How much can change in a year. Mari's now pregnant with our second child, we've got a network of friends in the city, we've long since settled into our home, and Mari's even got her permanent residence. All has gone more or less as hoped.

Many friends and family have commented on the lucky timing of our departure from Tokyo, being as it was just before the earthquake etc. I still miss the place, though. Flipping through my Tokyo street photography book is always a great reminder.

rand()m quote

Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

—Hermann Goering