Talk about time warps !>. Coming back to Vienna (Wien) was like setting foot back in 1979 again. My friend  Karen picked me up at the airport.. Karein and her twin brother Salim were 8 years old when I lived with their family at 43 Graf Starhembergasse . Now they are 50 years old with families of their own. Its not my first trip back to Wien..   I’ve been back about half a dozen times.. but not since 2013 ( ithin(. this is the first time I’ve been back Siem my Haus Frau Helga  and Haus Vater   Necat had died.. iNecat . I really missed them. Frau Erol was my very good friend.. I  felt her presence there..

I enjoyed seeing all the old pictures

Salim showed up and so did big brother Murat.

We had a quick snack then took off for a walk downtown


one stop was Trzesniewskis.. I used to stop there for schnapps and ‘brethren’ on my way to school.. it had not changed at all. we had a few brioche (bread with spread like lox, onions eggs) and some great apricot schnapps

From there we walked up to where my school  IES had been.. The Pais Kinskey.. It brought a huge flood of memories back to  me .. all my friends .. Sarah, James. Kevin, Alex, David. Chip , Bob, Lauren, Seth, Bruce.. .. and so many others
the place is now some other sort of school.. so great seeing it again!

We then headed west.. .. first stop was Nuri the sardine store.. then up through the Kunstgeschite museum and museum row where there was some great interactive art !

We walked up MariahilferStrassee and got the bus back to Graf starhembergasse.. then a quick schnapps.. THen Saliem and I had to run to catch a train to Baden where Salim lives

We ot to Salims place pretty late   . What a full day !

nite all. nite sam

-me

Arriving in Munich was like being home. it was a beautiful fall day as I rode the bis to the Munich marrriot where I stayed so many times

I grabbed a quick nap then  headed over to the IBM center. Even the graffitti was familiar 

Being back in the IBM center was really nice but strange.. it was very quiet  as covid was sill strong here.. also the places mission has changed quite a bit.. what hasn’t changed was the warm spirit of all my friends who still work there

I got to catch up with several old

.. John  and Nadia in particular

I got to go on a tour of the center with a group of women engineers.. then gave a talk for them.. which was fun !

After my talk.. I took the UBahn downtown to meet old friends for a sort of 2nd retirement parts at Bratwirst Glokhe !  It was SOOOOO great seeing everyone !

Saying goodbye again was pretty hard. here’s Nadja on her train

I had to leave the hotel at 6:30 the next morning.. I felt every beer I drank the night before..

THanks to all my wonderful Munch friends for such a great short visit.. I lreally, really. really loved seeing you all !

First.. I owe everyone a huge apology. I’ve gotten really  behind in my blogging. I know it’s not a great excuse.. but it’s been such a crazy time.. Marie’s death has hit us hard.. plus travel.. . Oy..   We’ll here goes me trying to catch up !

Today I took off for Germany and Austria. I’d been invited several months ago to give a talk for my good friend Selim in  Vienna . I was thinking of canceling the trip when Marie passed.. but figured I’d be back in time for her mcelibration of life next Sat .. so Off I went..

This is my fir overseas trip since covid.. it felt strange.. something I did roughly twice a month for several years felt strange and scary.. but also fun.. kind of like being ‘back in the saddle..

First stop was a short stop in Munich to see my old team..  That meant flying from Burlington to Dulles in DC>. That was my old commute when I worked in Munich .. I walked on to UA 106.. my old ride.. and who did I see ? My old friend Margot.. my favorite flight attendant !  It really felt like old times !!

nite all, nite sam

-me

Maries Obituary came out today. It is beautiful and so sad. I still can’t believe this is real  nd that she is really gone.  You can read  it here

Marie Kenney-Soelch

Richmond, VT

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Marie Kenney-Soelch, 31, on November 3, 2021, at the McClure-Miller Respite House in Colchester. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Marie was born September 19, 1990, in Burlington, VT to Timothy and Jennifer (Moran) Kenney.  Marie attended school in Richmond, VT graduating from Mt. Mansfield High School in 2008.  She received a BS in Biology from the University of Vermont in 2012, and her medical degree from University of Vermont College of Medicine in 2020.

Marie was a beautiful, brilliant, and vibrant woman who loved her husband, family and friends.  She was one hell of a skier and mountain biker.  She had an ear for music and was gifted with the ability to compose.

She lived her life with passion and kindness and leaves behind many friends that were drawn to her light.  She loved to explore and experience the natural world.  Her sense of wonder made her a true seeker of knowledge, meaning and spiritual truths. Courageous and determined in all endeavors, she wanted to help others experience the best life they could. She was truly the absolute sweetest.

Left to cherish Marie’s memory are her husband, Luke Soelch of Cicero, NY, who she married in 2019; her parents Timothy and Jennifer Kenney of Richmond, VT; her brother Nate Kenney of Bozeman, MT; her grandmother Nancy Moran of Harwich, MA; her mother and father in-law, Richard and Susan Soelch of Alton Bay, NH; her brother and sister in-law Mike and Lauren Soelch of Andover, MA and nephews William and Zachary.  Also, she will be missed by her many aunts and uncles, cousins, and dear friends.

Marie loved all animals and frequently brought home the most forlorn of them to love.  She was particularly passionate about the ethical treatment of animals in the food industry. In her memory donations can be sent to The Humane League at thehumaneleague.org.

Services for Marie will be private and at the convenience of the family.