Oh, the irony. The archetype consultant wears a suit, hangs around airport lounges, works until 3am to get some charts done and revolves around ROI or the like. There is a specific type which will invariably generate an allergic reaction in me for sheer superficiality.

On the other hand, the field I work in actually requires such consulting services. It’s not as much about selling equipment (although this will ensure my paycheck), but many organisations, whether Fire Services, Military or other safety related company departments, will develop very specific risk scenarios that require bespoke solutions. If a factory or public transport shuts down for some time, there’s a potential economic element to it, apart from personal injury and property damage. Examples of such affected critical infrastrucures are plenty.

So now, there is an increasing part of my work dealing with those specific requirements. For instance, how do you safely lift a tram with a person stuck underneath, that is slanted at 15° and no crane can reach? What kind of damage control set do you put together for specific military and civilian ships? Iron ore mines?

Risk mitigation is the underlying element, but the process leading to a product sale is actually a classical consulting process: listen to the clients’ requirement, do an assessment that is not only technical, but also tactical, and produce a product that not only includes gear but also training and perhaps even a tip or two about tactics.

The bottom line? I am in the Consulting business. But one that includes such occasions as being picked up by a fire engine from the hotel and being deposed there by a VIP tramway in the middle of the night :)

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Another one crossed off the list: after the Bridge at Arnhem, I’ve finally managed to pay a visit to the Edersee Talsperre of Dambusters fame, or Operation Chastise at it is known. This still leaves a few WW2 places I want to visit, such as the Normandy beaches, Bastogne, El Alamein and Guadalcanal to name a few.

Like at Arnhem, I get a little chill as I try to imagine what it was like then – the sound of Lancasters skimming the ridges and dropping their loads. Here’s a little sim of what it looked like out of the cockpit:

With the difference that the bombing actually took place at night. Looking at the steep hills and embankments around the lake, I can’t helü but admire the flying skills of the RAF crews. This is of course omitting the tragedy that struck people living below the dam, who lost their lives or possessions in the aftermath. Also, more than 50 aviators were killed in an operation that actually only achieved a psychological effect rather than economic or strategic, as originally intended.

It’s actually amazing you can see where the dam was repaired following the damage:

The spot is not only discoloured, it is also missing whatever these holes are good for.

Just to imagine what it looked like with a hole in it:

Anyway, beyond all the war stuff, the entire area is pretty much amazingly beautiful, there is a national park attached and loads and loads of tourists, which is much more nice than chucking bombs on top of each other.

In terms of psychological effect and folklore, bless Carling Black Label:

and

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There’s nothing like happy animals! You Love My Meat!

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Also nice to see SAS is still using this old flying junk.

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Whereas one grows a bit older and recognises that the past can’t be relived, it it worthwhile taking a break and thinking about the current situation. We all dream about some sort of path of life. A predefined path does not happen, what matters is to recognise current opportunities and make the most out of them. But there is nothing wrong with looking back and having a serious look at dreams or wishes back then.

Tomorrow I am invited to participate as press in a major excercise involving helicopters and other toys – I suddenly find myself incredibily looking forward to this, simply to be there with a video camera. After all, this is what I learned, and found my purpose in. I am still trying to fully understand how Irakli ’94 would have seen Irakli ’10. Tough one. Honestly I’d problably drop everything to be allowed to do video work. On with it.

Brother where you bound? it was great then. It still is now.

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Then President Richard von Weizsäcker visited Gdansk (Danzig), Latvia initiated talks to secede from the Soviet Union and De Klerk and Mandela were talking about ceasing violence.

Those three issues alone are massive in their own right and put todays problems in a different light.

And what on earth is the speaker guy wearing?

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It is at times like these I long back to an urbanite life, like in London many years ago. And fully knowing that it would be the worst and wrongest thng to do with the kiddies. I am sure I’d miss being able to hop on the bike and be out in the countryside in five minutes.

On the other hand, I guess it is healthy to want something that is unachievable. Oh well. Cant ‘t have it all!

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It’s all about marketing. The kiddies love their porridge in the morning, which is nothing else than oats warmed up in milk, with some cinnamon and brown sugar. Add a splash of maple syrup. Sounds nice? Well in this country they’ve named it Haferschleim, or Oats Slime. No wonder it’s not a raging success. It’d be interesting to look back in history and see who screwed up – perhaps a clever scheme by someone of the likes of Corn Flakes? Suppose we’ll never know. Oats Slime. mmm.

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I wish I had more time to go a bit further into details, but this will have to do. A visit to Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is a once-a-year highlight, the exhibition this year is titled Fremtidens arkitektur er grøn! or “the Future of Architecture ist Green”.

It’s amazing how many parameters define “green” architecture. It’s not just about eco-sustainable building, but there’s also micro and macro. For instance, the climate inside the building should suit us as well as possible: take the sun away, productivity drops up to 50%. Too much heat, same thing. Then, buildings can be “neutral”, for example in terms of emissions. This can be achieved by clever use of using building materials, as well as intelligent cooling and warming systems, but also by incorporating nature. One such example is Vertical Forest:

Then, there’s a macro level: buildings can’t be considered by themselves, but within their environment. Not only can they affect microclimate, but there’s a direct impact on  - let’s call it the sociological level.

I particularly liked the notion of “acupuncture”, where some clever master plan is devised to transform entire cities into something more lively and enjoyable than the urban concrete deserts they can be. This acupuncture includes subtle, but decisive changes, such as rebuilding a square. Over time, this acupuncture affects the whole system.

One more interesting aspect is how human dwellings sprawl futher into nature. Rather than trying to change the landscape, these new cities simply make use of what is available. I think this is how new areas of Rotterdam might be developed:

As said, there’s plenty more food for thought, and this exhibition is warmly recommended. Go see it if you can!

Pictures on Flickr.

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