2016 - a year of highs and lows.
22.12.2016
Translation: machine translated
The year is drawing inexorably towards its inevitable end in giant strides and you have just under 10 days left to make any last-minute corrections so that you can somehow still take something positive away from the whole thing. So here are some of my high and lowlights from the year that has almost come to an end.
New innards
Ah, how I resisted that. Chained, locked up and tortured. Cried, fought and wrestled, spent many evenings putting the thing in my cart and almost clicked "complete order". But again and again, only almost. In the end, however, I finally gave in and indulged in my extensive compulsion to buy. But that's not all: so as not to leave the new centrepiece of my gaming box alone, I immediately gave it a new home, including a complete interior - and how happy the little one was! [[marketingpage:2550]]
We've already been able to spend lots of happy hours together and I'm already looking forward to more unforgettable moments of cosy togetherness... Especially during the festive season, I just can't get enough of getting my heart out. I can't get rid of the catchy tune: "All I want for Christmas is... ammunition."
POTUS
I can still remember very, very well the silly comments that my colleagues proudly recited when a previously unknown hotel tycoon with a cat hairstyle or involuntary woman magnet with monkey eyes wanted to be voted the most powerful clown in the world. We laughed until tears of joy rolled down all four of our cheeks. [[marketingpage:2832]]
As the days went by, the population of the self-proclaimed number one dutifully filled out their ballot papers and lo and behold - critical voices, bowed heads and predestined losers turned into exuberant partygoerspartygoers, cheering champions and political pundits, while confident promoters, enthusiastic supporters and uncatchable winners fell silent and froze in incomprehensible disbelief. For all those who still haven't woken up from the American dream: Surprise, surprise, this was no dream. America, the land of unlimited possibilities. The different sockets will probably be the least of your worries on your next trip to the USA. A little joke for general amusement: What will the presidential jet be called in future as soon as good old Donald takes the helm? "Air Force Gone". Hö-hö-hö.
The round must go into the square
Finally, we men were once again allowed to throw ourselves in front of the telly night after night - without a guilty conscience. The European Football Championship emptied the streets, filled pubs, public viewings and the livers of many spectators and the Embolo song was already blaring from all radios early in the morning. At this point: Get well soon, dear Breel! [[video:44784]]
Boom for TVs, projectors, barley juice and unlimited downloads for mobile plans, bitter weeks for ladies with an aversion to sport or an intolerance to football. Blind referees and offsides that should have been recognised even from outer space, exorbitantly glorious goals and hard fouls by strangers and fan choreographies such as the oft-copied "Viking Clap" were the talk of the town.
Good times (for men), bad times (for women). Incidentally, the revenge of femininity was surprisingly long in coming: But girls, your revenge has been successful and washed with all the water - the new "Gilmore Girls" season has been available on Netflix for a few weeks now. That's what I call a textbook red card for all testosterone carriers.
And the Oscar goes to...
I could hardly believe my own eyes when I wrote these lines: we film aficionados actually had to wait until October 2016 to finally see Leo shining with the damn golden man. What a miracle that I can still experience this! What disappointed me, however, was the fact that the great Gatsby didn't limit his acceptance speech to the following four enchanting words: "Finally, you f***ing idiots!"
. [[video:44788]]
His role in Django knocked my socks off and in my opinion he should have been honoured at the time. Jänu, better late than never, as he - and I - like to say. But enough blasphemy about the wolf in sheep's clothing, this isn't Wall Street after all. Let's just look forward to countless more honours, awards and hymns of praise, always with the corresponding cinematic masterpieces, of course. Footnote on our own behalf or Raphi-pedia for film critics: Do you know DiCaprio's full name? Leonardo Oskar DiCaprio
.
Women, four fists and a hat-trick
Unfortunately, we also had to say goodbye to legends this year: I was particularly hurt by the EOL news of a talented German Jazz icon, a brawny, lovable swashbuckler and Mr Hockey himself. I hardly know anyone who doesn't sing, warble or smile along to "Frauen regier'n die Welt". [[video:44787]]
Roger was, is and remains one of the greats for me - it's not always all about Federer. And with the song title I mentioned at the beginning, he also makes it clear without discussion who is in charge. You don't know who Bud Spencer is? Get out of here! Get out now! I watched all his films in my childhood, without exception. And probably at least three or four times. Per film, of course. Not that I, as a peace-loving person, could have identified in any way with his violence-glorifying, clumsy manner, no - nevertheless, together with his best buddy Terence Hill, he had a lasting influence on my development and showed me what friendship really means. And finally Gordie Howe. [[image:7018934]]
As a proud floorball coach and player, as well as a Byte hockey fan, his passing did not leave me cold, despite his icy past. So close to the final siren, there's not much more to say than: "It ain't over till the fat lady sings".
Back to the future
The last point is a real labour of love. As a Byte PC hobbyist, early digital native and hobby tech nerd, I follow trends, innovations and new products in these very areas very closely. When my colleagues Sandro and Roy put together a VR exhibition in the Zurich showroom, I naturally wanted - no, had to - get up close and personal with this new world. [[marketingpage:3035]]
What I will remember from that day for a long time to come is this one gentleman who stared sceptically and bored at the TVs, in front of which two customers were in a completely new dimension at that very moment. When he was allowed to switch off and immerse himself, he was barely recognisable and almost had to be dragged away from the screen by force. He had never experienced anything like it before, he said, satisfied and completely stoned. The bubbling rumour mill even claims that my colleagues subsequently sold him an HTC Vive including digitec PC. Information without guarantee.
FYI: It's your turn
In order to make the story here a little more exciting, I have deliberately not mentioned anywhere whether the respective versions are a top or a flop - I hope you enjoy the guesswork. However, due to my agitated writing style, it couldn't be clearer. And finally, a little homework assignment: tell us your highs and lows from 2016... I'm already looking forward to many funny, emotional and digital moments.
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Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.