Creatively working remote

Anywhere at anytime 2020-2024

Ever since I got this laptop, beginning of pandemic, it has been stuck to me day and night. Traveling around, and being able to work continuously for the newspaper, I consider as pure luxury. This sophisticated item has become indispensable. It stands way beyond the monetary value and contributes to my personal freedom. Freedom of choosing the life I decided to lead.

The entire book I released two years ago, had been written on it. Whenever I am on duty, no matter under which circumstances, it comes to function at it‘s best. Thanks to the mobile phone hot spot and available WiFi connenctions. Airports, cafes, hostels, beaches, boats, road crossings, parking lots, beds, rocky cliffs or the southamerican jungle have been it’s playground so far. Every now and so often, I need to plug it onto the system in the publisher‘s office in Berlin and reset or update some stuff, clean it from sand, salt and bread crumbs. The only danger this silver piece of aluminium has to confront is actually me. For instance when I, by mistake, erased all my personal data on it, data from the past fifteen years. Yes, it was a bitter pill to swallow, I know ! Or undergoing countless times airport security checks, heavy rain, high humidity or unbearable heat.

I behaved sometimes irresponsible, knowing that I had to work but still went off for an early morning fishing trip. Couldn’t resist when watching sunrise on the boat, in silence, with the fishing rod in my hand and laptop stored away in a water resistent bag beside my feet. I did miss out on a couple of conference calls because of connectivity loss. Same when going for a swim in a cave and circumstances were absolutely not the most appropriate to work in. Airports or the Apple Store in Berlin were way better. Just once, it was a little tricky when I had to take an important group call, the minute I stepped onto the arrival hall after shuttle bus dropped me off. I quickly opened up laptop and teams app, sat on the floor and did a whole presentation of about 30 minutes length. While new passengers kept arriving with other shuttle buses one after another. The backround noises must have been so hard to swallow for my colleagues, I assume.

In the Apple Store in Berlin, I spent a whole afternoon working with my colleagues on an investigative reportage about a specific incident that ocurred during the recent war between Palestine and Israel. For the time being, I waited for my new iphone to be re-installed with old and new data. Various young, efficient employees were in charge with all their IT knowledge I was lacking of. Basically, I had no clue.

My friend Thomas came to bring me gums and cookies because my nose was stuck to the screen. Could not leave, as this reportage was far too important and I did not pay much attention to anything that happened around me.

Costa Rica was tough as of the high amount of humidity in the jungle, but a technical test bench will be held next time I get back to Berlin. Doctor‘s visits included.

General check-up for laptop and Pam!