When I perused the online newspapers this morning, one topic stood out among all others: the ten year anniversary of the massacre at Columbine High School.
Strangely enough, I only associated this year with the ten year anniversary of my own US High School graduation. Reading the name ‘Columbine’ today brought back many memories and emotions.
In 1999, my year as an exchange student in Michigan was coming to a close. I was fortunate to attend a fantastic school, with great teachers and students and I treasure the year I spent there. …

My thoughts are with my sister’s family today. My brother-in-law’s mother died, one month short of her 80th birthday, peaceful in her sleep. She will be laid to rest in May, once her husband, who has left us a long time ago, has been transferred here.
There’s not much to say except for how very, very sorry I feel for my sister’s family’s loss.
This journey has ended. Another begins. Time .. to rest now.
- Lorien, Babylon 5, “Sleeping in Light”

Tiziana Fabi/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
With many worries I have followed the news about Natasha Richardson’s skiing accident and her hospital treatment since the weekend. This morning I had to read the terrible news that she has passed away.
I can’t even begin to say how sad I feel. By pure chance I had downloaded the movie ‘Maid in Manhattan’ last week via iTunes, where Mrs Richardson stars as an eccentric business woman together with Ralph Fiennes and Jennifer Lopez. I liked her very much in that role (not to mention …

 
The Roddenberrys
Majel Roddenberry, widow of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, has passed beyond the Rim on December 18 at the age of 76. She lost the battle against leukemia at her home in Bel-Air. Her family was with her. (Official homepage)
For me as a science fiction fan, the name Roddenberry is as deeply connected to the genre as is the name Juri Gagarin in the science community associated with space travel. The Star Trek universe has been a constant for me since I started to watch TV.
Majel Barrett Roddenberry was …

It still seems a little unreal to me: save the last two exams (which shouldn’t post a serious hurdle) I am done with college and I am working full time. After working towards this moment for the past nine years (since 11th grade) I can’t really believe it’s here now.
To get a grasp on what it means that this nightmare called college is finally over, I started to move all the stuff out I don’t need anymore for my last two exams. It turned out I had to make two …

With great sorrow I have learned today [1/2/3] that actor, professor and artist Don S. Davis of Aurora, Missouri (USA) has passed away on June 29, 2008. Don Davis was 65 years old.
News reports indicate that Mr Davis died of a massive heart attack and that he has had health problems for the last couple of years. He died in his home in Gibsons, British Columbia (Canada).
Most fans will remember Mr Davis from his appearances in »Twin Peaks«, »Mac Gyver« and his major role of General Hammond in »Stargate …