Hi, I am Sig (junge1),
I was born in Dominikus- Krankenhaus in Berlin-Hermsdorf, Bezirk Reinickendorf in December 1939. Bezirk Reinickendorf was one of 20 Bezirke that made up Gross-Berlin before World War II and one of 12 Bezirke that made up former West-Berlin, the other 8 Bezirke were Russian occupied and became East-Berlin after the war. Moved from Berlin to Neurohlau (Nova Role) Sudetenland (now Czech Republic), in August 1943 (our entire block of apartment buildings was bombed out in November 1943) and returned back to Berlin in November 1945. Saw my dad the first time in my life in August/September 1946 after he returned from POW camp. Attended elementary school in Berlin-Waidmannslust, high school in Berlin-Hermsdorf, and trade school in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Was an apprentice for the trade of Klischeeaetzer (photo engraver) at Burrath & Schmidt on Friedrichstrasse between U-Bahnhof Kochstrasse (near to what later became Checkpoint Charlie) and Hallisches Tor.
While watching Allied planes supplying West-Berlin by air during the Berliner Luftbruecke in 1948-49 I developed my love for aircraft. I guess I could be considered a 'Berliner Grosschnauze", or at least I used to be.
'Wanderlust' led me to leave Berlin in summer 1960 to emigrate to Toronto, Canada and in February 1962 to move from Canada to New York City, NY, USA. In January 1963 I joined the United States Air Force, one step ahead of Uncle Sam drafting me. Became a United States citizen within 7 weeks after it became a security issue because of my military career. One day after I was sworn in as a citizen in Seattle, my entire unit left for Southeast Asia in June 1966. After nearly 5 years of active duty (extended 11 months to make it an 18 months overseas deployment) I got discharged and moved to New York City. In 1973 I moved to Phoenix, Arizona and two years later joined the Arizona Air National Guard.
Received my higher education at Arizona State University and the University of Georgia and worked for 22 years for the Arizona Department of Water Resources in various capacities. Upon military retirement in 1999 and State retirement in 2005 I looked at a number of things to keep me occupied. Traveling and joining 'renderosity' in September 2007 were a couple of them,
Sig..
Comments (18)
Cosine
That's so sad, but all too typical. "If I can't steal it from you, I'll destroy it so you won't have it either."
beachzz
Happens everywhere, that's for sure.
mercedestookit
Looks like someone got REALLY angry. I like this shot though.
mickuk50
this sure sums up life in the city .excellent capture and composition in what has become typical of todays times mick
durleybeachbum
Such a common sight!! a document photo of our times.
Fred255
What a shame! Went you cant leave you bike parked without someone smashing it up. This is happening more and more now.
timtripp
great statement.
Hendesse
Great find and capture. There is vandalism everywhere, also here.
artaddict2
Too much of it happens like this and worse Sig. I suppose it makes us all feel a little better to hear all comments giving an impression of this problem being universal and not just in our own towns or cities. Good capture.
witch_1612
Very Nice Shot!!!
amlondono
Universal problem ! as Timtripp said : great statement . Ana
MrsLubner
this certainly makes it hard to ride home after work, eh? Slows me down when that happens. LOL Nice capture.
delaorden_ojeda
some times it happens, every day a litle more everywhere, nice find and interesting.
jocko500
lol sad be a very good shot
Richardphotos
in New York and many other cities people made the mistake of chaining the wheel only.well the the thiefs would simply remove the wheel and take the bike. I do not understand vandalism and never have or will
Janiss
Well seen!
junge2
I enjoy reading your captions.
Flbenjamin
This is a classic artistic photo. No posing, No setting up, just a shot that is unusual, different, humorous and "its going to take a few dollars to get this bike rolling again". Its obvious there was some frutration taken out on the bike. Bent wheel, missing seat(who would take that)missing back wheel, ummm. Very good "photo eye"