Update on the WW II relict that returned from the past with a BOOM!
Current mood: annoyed

It was a 500 lbs bomb, lying 5 ft underneath the surface, the bomb crater is about 14 x 26 metres. And now anybody tell me that this thing is not dangerous and can't kill people. Like everybody tries to convince us now cause they say something like that happens quite seldom. The last bomb was discovered near a highway and another one - few months ago - in the heart of Linz.

Gaby

Currently listening : Disturbia By Rihanna Release date: 2008-07-22

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Tonite WorldWar II returned for a silent BOOM and made the earth shake
Category: Blogging

Some of you might know some of you don't:

Until 1944, Vienna was out of reach of British long-range bombers, which is why it was often referred to as the "Reich's Air Raid Shelter". Only after the Allied invasion of Italy was the city within the reach of the American bomber flotillas that had their main base in Foggia.

The first air raid on Vienna took place on 17 March 1944. The primary goal of the raid was to halt fuel production in the Floridsdorf refinery and to mine the Danube waterway.

In June 1944, following the Normandy Invasion the greater part of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) was transferred to the West. Yet American and British air forces were to take their worst losses during this period. This was because the remaining Luftwaffe forces around Vienna were few in number but the pilots were very well trained. As a result, one tenth of 550 bombers were shot down.

The air defences of Vienna were aided by a ring of anti-aircraft batteries set up around the city and three pairs of so-called Flak towers. these were large anti-aircraft gun blockhouses built right in the city. Due to the increasing lack of fuel, by autumn 1944, artillery on the ground was the only defence against air raids. It typically took some 5,000 small calibre and 3,400 large calibre shells to bring down one bomber. During the day, one out of 125 planes was shot down on average. During the night, this dropped to only one out of 145. However, roughly one third of the bombers and escorts suffered heavy damage.

Tactics and effects

Until the end of the war, British and American forces did not find a consensus about the ways of attacking. The Royal Air Force staged their raids mostly during the night time when the risks of losses from anti-aircraft fire and German fighter planes were lower but on the other hand conditions for precise strikes were worse. British planes did not fly in strict formation and every crew had to find and hit its target by itself. The United States Army Air Force, though, flying in strict formation and accompanied by fighter planes to fend off enemy aircraft attacks, mostly attacked by daylight to strike with more precision. Bombs were dropped on command by the formation leader. Since the forces alternated their times of attacking, this resulted in "around-the-clock-bombing" as raids occurred at any time of the day.

Unlike some German cities, such as Dresden, there was almost no area bombing but the attacks had tactical reasons. To a certain degree, though, the effects of the raids were overestimated, because some factories were moved to bomb-proof sites such as caves (e.g. the Seegrotte near Hinterbrühl) or hidden in other ways. The military industry even boosted its production, also by use of forced labour of concentration camp inmates and POWs. Only fuel production came to a virtual standstill, as refineries could not easily be transferred and the transportation of crude oil on the Danube was no longer possible. For traffic junctions, bypasses had been established well before the bombings started. So traffic was hindered but did not come to a halt until the very last days of the war. (Source: WIKI)

And after WW II: Like Berlin, Vienna was divided into four sectors - British, American, Soviet and French. The historic centre, District I, was however run jointly by the four powers.

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My mother was twelve when she was raped by some Russian allies. And the allies left us some very long lasting gifts. Life threatening gifts! One of them "returned" from hell tonite in the 23rd district.

The seismographs at our ZentralAnstalt für Meteorology and Geodynamic  recorded some unsual activity tonite. Also the people who live in the 23 district were shaken with horror. First they thought it's been an earthquake. Kind of an unsual one but who knows. Cause there was only one major blast.

The owner of a market garden jolted up from sleep cause he'd heard a silent BOOM! and felt the earth shaking the same moment. He ran out of his house but it was pitch-black and he couldn't see something anything. So he went back to bed.

Today one of his employees went across the field to check upon the flowers and startled as he discovered a huge bomb crater approx. 100 metres away from the house. He informed the police. Bomb squad arrived and found out that underneath the surface in few metres depth an aircraft bomb with an "acid fuze" had detonated!

Okay you would say now and? And? Austria, especially Vienna is underminded by an unknown amout of aircraft bombs. Almost every two week there's an alert at a site where they had to stop work because they'll find these deadly gifts from the past. What if next time a kindergarten is the target for this sleeping relict or a park or an apartment complex or an underground station. A lot of bombs were found during the construction phase of our subway system but numerous were left undiscovered. So it can happen any time any place. And it's not Al Kaida this time or other terrorist groups. It's the gifts from the past. Many citizen's initiatives were founded and the politicians were asked to do something. Maybe earth radar or some sattelites that check the area so the bombs could be detected and destroyed under control.

The answer of our politicians was harsh and short: NO! There wouldn't be enough money for such an "adventure". We should stay calm, there's no need to worry cause it happens only once in a while that a bomb is detected or even exploded.

Not last nite gentlemen, not last nite. And where would the next bomb explode? We spend millions of Euros for the upcoming election campaign on 9/21. And we spend a lot of money for other needless things. Like keeping the sidewalks clean from dog shit. Or Wrapping up the Opera House like few month ago or building useless steel works in the middle of a district all in the name of culture!

Couldn't we take all the money to find out were the life threatening bombs are burried. It's easier to fight an enemy you can see. I know. And terrorism is a huge threat all across the planet.

But I think the bombs from the past are also present, like last nite's explosion told us. Wake up politics and do something against it! Don't stay behind and act like that's something it happens every century. It happens almost every week across the country, not that bombs explode but their discovered and 85% are still armed and dangerous! Booby-traps from the past. I'm curious. I know nothing will happen. No one will think about it. This time. Only because no one was hurt. I'm waiting until the day people will get hurt. I'm sure it will happen sooner or later. But as long as there are just "colleteral damages" and no human life was in danger no one will lift a finger!

your very pissed

Gaby

Currently listening : Disturbia By Rihanna Release date: 2008-07-22

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EYECON - Welcome to my Webalbum
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

Hey there,

take a look at my Web-Album and find out more about my journey to Orlando, FL to participate the overwhelming EYECON - Supernatural convention. A memorable event, thanks to Kenny and Voni who did a tremendous job! And a huge THANK YOU to all the people I met there. I had the time of my life!

EYECON - Orlando, FL 2008 

xoxo

Gaby 

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My Interview with Jared Padalecki at the EYECON (April 2008 Orlando, FL)
Current mood: bouncy
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

It was an unforgettable moment when I got the chance to talk to Jared himself at the EYECON. He's such an adorable "goofball". He rocks! A huge thank you to all the other people I met at EYECON. You all made this a memorable event. Thank you so much!

Gaby talks to Jared at the EYECON

xxx Gaby ooo

12:31 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Numb3rs - FanFiction - 60 hours - Chapter 7 (final)
Current mood: creative
Category: Writing and Poetry

Charlie sat on his bed looking at the contents of the little box, fascinated, when Don took a seat next to him with two bottles of beer in his hand.

"Here you are. But don't drink it in one gulp," Don grinned.

They said cheers, took a sip and then put the bottles back on the bedside table.

"Tell me what you think?" Charlie turned the box so that Don could glance at the ring. His brother nodded appreciating.

"Jesus it's fantastic. I'm quite touched", Don sniffled theatrically, "first you're talking about divorce and now you propose to me? If you weren't a man, I would fall around at your feet without thinking."

Charlie swallowed, "Don, please. This is serious. Could you stop fooling around?"

"You actually are not going to ..."

"Don!!"

"Calm down Charlie, the ring is beautiful and I think on Amita's finger it will shine even more. When are you going to ask her?"

His little brother twisted his face as if he had nicked his favorite toy from him, "That is the problem, I have no idea. The ring has lain in the drawer for three weeks now."

"What? I can't believe it. What are you waiting for?! For another ice age?" Don was honestly aghast.

"You have absolutely no clue how hard it is to find the right moment and now after this incident with the professor ..."

Don took a sip from the bottle, "Charlie you know what you're doing? You desperately search for excuses not to do it. Two weeks ago you knew nothing about Wisnjenko and there were no cases for which I could have used your help."

"I know", Charlie mumbled resigned, "I quite simply have no idea how to handle it."

"What about a romantic dinner as a twosome in a bloody expensive French restaurant?" Don suggested.

"That is not my style. In addition, as I told you, you know that such dinners between Amita and me ending up in a talk exclusively about our jobs." Charlie gave a heartbreaking sigh.

"I also hate those restaurants. Simply invite her here, you have advantage of being at home, and if she sees the ring, then she'll be thinking about all sorts of things but definitely not about work." Don said.

Charlie did not seem to be too enthusiastic at this suggestion either. He stared at the ring as if it was a hostile spy. Could he be beginning to regret the whole thing? It almost seemed that way to him. He loved Amita, there was no doubt about it but was he really ready to alter their level of relationship? Was she?

"What will I do if she says no? She doesn't even want to move in with me." He looked like a beaten dog.

Don had sympathy for his brother, "You know perhaps you should talk about this with dad. Asking me for an advice in matters of the heart is as helpful as asking a vegan about the advantages of a T-Bone-steak."

"Could it be that there's a spell on us Eppes' men concerning women?" Charlie asked.

"Are you thinking about dad and Milly?" Don smirked.

Charlie shook his head, "You're talking rubbish. Both of them behave like magnets. Somehow they push off but at the same time feel attracted to each other.

Don almost cracked up at Charlie's statement, "Your comparison of rocks little bro, honestly." He wiped his mouth with the back of the hand and pushed the other bottle into Charlie's hand, "here, make a hearty draught."

Charlie stared skeptically at the label of the bottle as if he could find the solution for his "problem" there. But he had to admit he felt relieved now that he had told somebody about his plan.

"You know I would feel silly asking dad for advice," Charlie confessed.

"Asking for advice concerning what?"

Amita suddenly stood in front of them. Charlie was so shocked that he flipped the black casket behind him nonchalantly.

"Hello Amita", he gave her his broadest grin.

"Hi", Don stopped short and sucked at his bottle of beer embarrassed.

"Uh, was I disturbing you? If you want I can go and come back later? Is there a new case?"

Don got up, "actually I was about to leave, wasn't I Charlie?"

His little brother panicked visibly, "but ..."

Don winked at him and pushed himself past Amita.

"You can't do this" Don heard Charlie's strained voice as he headed down the stairs.

Amita was confused unable to make head or tail of the conversation between the brothers. What the hell was going on in here? She shrugged her shoulders and sat down next to Charlie. He looked gorgeous even if he wore an expression of helplessness. She stroked her hand tenderly over his cheek and gave him a spontaneous kiss on the mouth which he hesitantly returned.

She eyed him worried, "Everything's okay Charlie? I guess what happened to the professor has upset you very much, isn't that right?"

He nodded absent-minded and finally looked up. He swallowed, just about to say something, but she anticipated him.

"What did you throw over your shoulder before?"

Caught, uh!

He gave her his most innocent look "Nothing."

He could see in her eyes that she didn't believe it.

"Really", he tried to convince her.

But he couldn't withstand her searching look. She turned round and made institutions to have a closer look at the floor behind the bed.

"Please", he held her arm tight.

"Charlie what's going on?" her lovely eyes darkened dangerously.

His head was about to explode. The blood banged at his temples.

"Amita please, it's nothing," he tried it once more.

"Okay, if you say so," she said a little pissed.

"I am glad that you are here", his voice disobeyed him.

"If you want prove it to me tell me why you are acting so strange?"

Silence. Her look roamed again to the end of the bed. She made him crazy just sitting there, staring at him. He felt painfully reminded of his dream.

"You know I had an extremely crazy dream this afternoon", he tried to break the ice; "it was all about the professor. In my dream he made illegal experiments with people and ..."

"Charlie, I know you, if you start babbling like a waterfall, you have either a brilliant idea or a really guilty conscience. I guess the latter this time."

Did this have to be? Did Amita have to read in him like in an open book? He closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath.

"Okay, looks like this is meant to be."

He got up, walked around the bed and lifted the little box. He turned his back upon Amita and looked whether everything was still in place. It was. Amita watched her boyfriend curiously. Last time she had seen him so agitated was when Don had told him about the death of the professor.

Charlie turned back to face her. He seemed undecided. Was this the right moment? Here in his room, between bunches of laundry, a bottle of beer, in the middle of his bed? Was there a rule when it was the right moment? No, he swallowed. He took heart and got on his knees in front of Amita. Probably this was the most stupid thing he had ever done in his life, shot into his head. He opened up the box behind his back.

"Charlie, what ..." She asked with misty eyes.

He drew his hand forward and brought the box with its valuable content to Amita's eye-level.

"Amita Ramanujan do you want to be my wife and spent the rest of your life with me til death do us part?" Wow, he didn't even stutter.

First she just stared at the ring and then at Charlie. She couldn't hold back the tide any longer. Drenched in tears she wrapped her arms around his neck and said, "Yes, Charlie I will."

Before she could say another word, he sat down next to her and sealed her lips with a promising kiss.

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