Obviously, starting a blog post to encourage the broad readership of today’s hip blogs is the newest things on the block, so here I am, going for it!

Ask a question - and by that I really mean any question - you always wanted to have answered by me (and not Einstein, so please spare me the scientific explanation kind of Qs) and I will do my best to find a proper answer for it.

It may be philosophical, personal or on my view on yesterday’s headlines, really, what question pops up! I know there are question marks out there all over the planet, so let’s start right away! 

Questioned asked so far:

1. What 3 places on Earth are you planning on visiting and why?
2. What is your biggest fear in terms of working as an ambulance man?
3. What is a typical day in the life of an Austrian Kid? What about the weekend?
4. What is the background on the ambulance training?
5. Will there ever be a French blog entry on philsblogging.com?
6. Pirates or Ninjas, and why?
7. What do you think of Blake’s lipsync airguitar attempt?

Qs by readers and As by me

#1 Matthew: What 3 places on Earth are you planning on visiting and why?

Oh, something told me that you would narrow the number of places to only 3. But, your wish is my command… I’d love to visit Paris, Hong Kong and Seattle/New York (it’s a tie, I couldn’t resist).

Paris, because I would love to watch me fail conversations with French people and have somebody take a picture of my expression when I try to speak English but get refused. No, just kidding. I can’t wait to see the real Eiffel Tower and eat delicious authentic French food.

Ever since I wrote a German essay on the importance on Asia, I keep dreaming about visiting Hong Kong. Visiting this city was recommended by so many people to me now, so I just have to see it. I wish I knew when I have a free spot on my calendar to travel around the world. Definitely a place to check out for me.

Seattle? New York? Hm, I just can’t tell which one I would love to see more. But guess what? People who don’t like selections, just take it all. That’s what I’m going to do. First visit New York. Pick-nicking in Central Park, Ground Zero and the Empire State Building. Come on, these are classics and important places to be. I want to die and be able to say that I’ve been to New York… Plus, I saw pictures of my uncle strolling through the streets of New York and posing in front of the Word Trade Center. Man, this got me jealous. Green of envy…

Seattle is my second choice, because it is a city on the west coast I haven’t been to - yet. Besides, I have a friend there who would be just delighted to host me in her - let’s hope she’ll get one - apartment/house. Besides, this seems to be quite an interesting place, just like San Francisco. Oh and once I’m on the west coast, why not stop by in SF, huh? - As you can see, trimming down the selection to only 3 was no good, Matthew.

#2 Matthew: What is your biggest fear in terms of working as an ambulance man?

When our training started, fears, limits and responsibility were the first things we, the newbies, were confronted with. Better sooner, than later, right? Suicide, lethal car accidents and other tragic blows of fate are said to get under your skin easily. It adds some “spice” to the traumatic experience if the victim is your age or even younger than that. So far, I could find a way to deal with situations like that. You need to figure out how to handle someone’s story with a certain distance that allows you to shut off your mind  and lets you concentrate on your personal schmeer after work. Easier said than done, but for me, that works now.

Another fear, that really got me thinking are the limits of helping someone through physical or psychological trauma. There are limits and if you can’t push the limit a little further you might stand next to someone that is about to die and there is no knowledge on Earth that might help you help that person. That must be fairly hard, too.  

#3 Puraz: What is a typical day in the life of an Austrian Kid? What about the weekend?

A typical day in the fabulous life of Philipp Aschauer consists of various activities. If I need to get up before 9000 AM, then modern technology has to help me to get out of bed. Usually I listen to the FM4 Morning Show (Austrian Alternative radio station, check out the web stream). The whole process of getting up doesn’t take long (about 5 min) and I’m up feeling the urge for breakfast. Basically coffee and rolls to raise my sugar levels.

Being a community servant (that will get me to Question #4 in a second) you do not have a regular working schedule. Sometimes late shift, sometimes I pretend to be a early morning bird (that never really catches the worm, though). Before/after work, I take a 18 min. run (with my iPod; playlist: Gear Up Philly Woo Woo) which represents total exertion to me (I’m working on prolonging the fun-run experience). After/before work, I check my email, my - woot what a shocker - blog and do “Internet research” (that’s what I call plain surfing the web). Most of the times I hang out on other music, movies and lifestyle blogs, debating politics, say, why Hillary would make a great grandma and other issues of high importance. I’m always listening to music since I used to drown out the loud G4’s fans; it’s either my play list in iTunes or FM4. Or of course, I have my iPod’s ear plugs serve me music.

Calling up with my friends (Skypin with Katy’s fun fun fun!) or chatting on AIM is the main way I communicate with people (some are on the other end of the world, so meeting up in person would max out my master-card). In the late afternoon hours (if not at work) I love hanging in cafes sipping cappuccinos and banana milk shakes. Now that the summer months are approaching slowly, I have friends at my place (my terrace is awesome) and we end up in conversations that seem weird to outside people. That’s why I stop going into detail here.

My evening program consists of TV series marathons (Nip/Tuck, The OC, King of Queens, That 70s Show) with friends or plain DVD nights (more of early evenings since I’m a sleepy, grandpa person). Hm, writing this makes me realize I’m not so special eventually.

Weekends, it’s pretty much the same, except less internet, more friends (I can be quite social) and one or two sips of te**ila when friends and I go clubbing. We start it off in a café and then end up in a place called Avalon where nobody cares if you jump around like a freaking monkey. The hangover-ness on Sundays is in direct proportion to the amount of drinks people have on Saturday. Bits of wisdom, thanks, I know. Plus, I read my weekly newspaper (the Guardian weekly) and watch CNN.

#4 Puraz: What is the background on the ambulance training?

When I told people in the States (last summer) that I would do some community service, they asked if I committed a crime and therefore have to work at the Red Cross. The answer is no and the next paragraph will give you an insight on this topic.

You probably want to know why I ended up at the Red Cross for 9 months? Well, easily explained. Every MALE CITIZEN (Welcome in the 21st century) of the Austrian Republic has to do 6 months of military service amongst morons (see this video!). If however he doesn’t feel like handling guns (pacifist), jumping in puddles of mudd (healthy common sense - nice band reference btw) and doesn’t want to be commanded by people who failed in a civil environment and therefore work for the Austrian military whose abundance will now not be objectively examined, then there is the option of passing a 9 months community service. Hm, hard decision, what way to choose, huh, so many lucrative options on the table…!? Clever Philipp chose the Red Cross ambulance branch, but you can also work with drug addicts, in old people’s home or for not so bright kids there is also a career reserved (removing doves’ feces of national monuments in Vienna - I am not even kidding).

Generally, Austrian men have to work for Father State (Vater Staat) while women can start with their college career immediately after graduation (passing A-levels it is in Austria). DISCRIMINATION I SCREAM FROM THE TOP OF MY LUNGS. See, Austria is full of equality that is comfortable for women but they obviously passed on the neglecting women from the Austrian military.

I used to get angry about this inequality, but I now realize how important a certain amount of social work is for a healthily working society. I am learning so much, not just about medical stuff (that, too btw). Old people can be quite fun and you, as a young and delightful person, can light up a person’s day by just giving them a smile when taxiing them to the doctor. Seriously, it feels good and I like working with them.

#5 Submitted anonymously: Will there ever be a French blog entry on philsblogging.com?

Never say never. Now, I couldn’t though. Why? Because I lack of French language skills, both written and spoken French, so how the heck am I supposed to write a correct French sentence. Moi, je ne peux pas parler francais. That’s pretty much the limit. However, there is always a first time. 

I realized the Sony Alpha commercial is a French video, so there you go. There is already a French post on philsblogging.com, more to come, of course.

#6 Blake: Pirates or Ninjas, and why?

High school debate teams tend to give each other a hard time when they deal with the essential question of Pirates or Ninjas? Here is my approach…

Pirates tend to be wild, party people (since they have an inexhaustible rum bottle provision and that’s their most attractive feature, isn’t it?) and - this isn’t nice or clever - they take without asking (just like people on the internet when it comes to music downloads). While a pirate sets sail to conquer the sea and the world (he gets to see all kinds of places - another plus!), a ninja is willing to spend hours in training camps to bring his extraordinarily cool, fast and breathtaking moves to perfection. Ninjas are able to climb trees unlike belly-handicapped pirates. Disappearing in a second, splitting bricks in two halves and all that puts in a good word for the ninjas, doesn’t it?

No matter how you look at this particularly challenging issue, you always end up saying that it is personal preference. But since you asked this question, Blake, I am committed to give you a proper answer. Therefore (and this is my way of solving this ever-going debate) we just translate the Pirate vs. Ninja thing into television. Who would win the fight if it were up to a battle between The Pirates of The Caribbean (Arrr) and the Power Rangers or let’s say the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Karate Kid? It’s quite obvious, it’s the ninjas.

#7 Blake: What do you think of Blake’s lipsyn airguitar attempt of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen?

First, the rest of my readers need to watch this video on Youtube - Bohemian Rhapsody Lipsync. I have to say, that I love it and give the song a whole new level with your personal “interpretation”. Ripping of that sweatervest in particular adds enormously precious value - I thought I would never see you in a wife beater. I just wish we had fun classes like this. However fun like this turns out to be a good example of a blast from the past with blackmailing character once you’re in, say, the Oval Office. Love it, though. That’s extra-curricular, right?

How to ask a question? How to get Philipp’s full attention for a second? Just comment on this blog entry and I will later answer it in this very post. What’s on your mind: What is your earliest memory of your childhood? (personal one) - or let’s say - What would Jesus do if he grew up with blow dryers and hair gel? (rather generally stupid one) - or maybe a classic: What 3 tools would you bring on a deserted island?