Saying Goodbye

Last night was my going away party (Shoumi's too) and I had a bunch of people come together for dinner and drinks at Classic Rock Cafe in Stuttgart. I had a really awesome time and actually got kind of sad that I will be leaving everyone. Alex furnished me with a Stuttgart going away bag filled with some really funny gifts and a "Whitest Boot Alive" certificate for my contribution to the good times in Stuttgart. Here are some pictures!

Bunk Beds + Jaeger = Bad Things

I spent the past week at this really awesome totally fabulous seminar put on by the people who are running our program, basically a week long time waster (outside of seeing people) comprised of field trips "for cultural exposure for the better learning of German people". The mornings were spent talking about stuff, you know, things...and the evenings were spent either a) drinking or b) recoving from drinking the night before. Well, Tuesday nights at a bar in Colonge called Cafe Schoen there are 50 cent Jaeger shots and 1 Euro beers. In reference from a text I recieved from the United States, "That's dangerous." How very true given what happened after that night of 9 Euros (you do the math and throw in a couple bucks bought by other people).

I get home and pass out the fastest I have in my entire life. Next thing I remember doing is waking up in the morning, still intoxicated and cursing my life. Then I hear this from across the room...

"Hey! Are you okay???"

"Yeah, why?"

"You fell off the bunkbed last night!"

"Huh? No I didn't"

"Yeah you did! I heard this loud thump and I look down and you are on the floor. I asked if you were okay, and you didn't answer me and just went to the bathroom."

The others think for a moment...and laughter ensues as every one else starts remembering me falling out of the bunk, apparently they woke up as well.

"You're full of crap, I totally didn't fall out of the top bunk dude, no way."

I climb down (barely), and get into the shower and notice the MASSIVE bruises all over my body and my hip is significantlly hurting, and there is a tingle in my arm when I extend it all the way. Luckily the Jaeger was pulsing through my body enough still that I think the true pain was avoided to some extent.

After piecing things together, I realized that I recieved a text very early in the morning and my only bet is that I heard it in my sleep (it's like Pavlov's Dog with that damn thing) but instead of actually waking up to check it, I proceeded to sleep walk, probably assuming I was on the bottom bunk, or my own bed in Stuttgart. It's pretty hard to climb down a ladder when you are alseep and I'm guessing with the first step I just kind of well, fell off.

I'm still in a good amount of pain, kind of a little limp on one side. At least my arm stopped tingling.

I still don't remember falling.

***

The Palace

For the last couple of months I have been living in a dorm in Stuttgart. All in all, it's been a pretty interesting experience to share a floor with about 17 other people with varying eating habits, cleanliness habits and partying habits. Most of my time here has been relatively quiet, albeit the occational heavy metal from down the hall, the wafting smell of home-cooked chinese food coming from the kitchen and the roof that has been under contruction for the past two months involving tiles cascading down a long tube at 9 am every morning. I can't honestly say that I've really "made friends" with a lot of people on my floor, but I have had a good relationship with all of them and many a beer has been shared on the 1985 blue couches that oppressively occupate the kitchen. Here are some pictures for you...

Down the hall...second door on your left.

















Open the door and you're in my room.

































Across the hall, shared bathroom and showers...it's really as awesome as it sounds.






































Group kitchen, including Fussball table blocking my fridge shelf.

















Translation: Whoever steals food one more time, we're going to personally chop your hand off!!!

Translation: What Complete Idiot / Complete Asshole
stole my Shaver, my aftershave balm, my toothbrush, hairspray and soap
from this bathroom????
Holy Hell (or similar, does not really translate), he or she is
is completely fucked up (literally: totally my ass)
Please move out!!!
Nicolas (206)

***

Yep, I'm this bored.

Paris Hilton, really? Eugh.

To Everyone Who Keeps Asking

Free Countdown Clocks at WishAFriend.com

***

Hives in Germany and Let's Meet "Walgreens"

Well, tonight I went into the shower and proceeded to a path of pain, as my feet somehow started burning and itching while I was in the shower. I had no idea what was going on, but all I know is I'm trying to wash the conditioner out of my hair - and my feet are turning red, swelling and in general itching to high hell. I get out of the shower and the itching and burning has continued to the back of my legs, creating little bumps up the back of my thighs and covering my feet. My feet are so swollen, it looks as though the veins are going to come out of my feet. I have NO idea what cause me to get hives after showering, and I'm not going to let my mind wander considering it is a group bathroom and shared showers. *Shuddder* The pain seems to be subsiding somewhat after smearing massive amounts of Nivea Creme all over my feet and legs, at least convering it enough so it can't breathe and get worse. I have had nothing new today to eat, so I have no idea what is going on it - but it itches like hell and I'm miserable.

Now, to my second point. Germany, I'd like to introduce you to a very dear friend of mine. He's a really great guy to know - his name is WALGREENS. You see, this concept may be new to all of you but it's a 24 hour drugstore. Not only can you pick up all your normal items you find in a a Schlecker or Mueller...BUT...you can also get medicine (not hidden behind a counter like at the Apotheke), snacks, the occational pair of sleep pants, and some great novelty items...usually on sale, which I know you like. Not only does it have all these wonderful items under one roof, they are open 24 HOURS. So, Germany, if you could just make friends with Walgreens I think you two would totally love each other. If you two had hit it off before I got here, I'd be able to get some freakin Benadryl and and maybe even pick up some chips at 11:30 at night.

Look! It's dark and they are open!

***

Resolute

I am sorry to report that I don't have any resolutions for the New Year. I've never been a big resolution person, because if I want to change something in my life, I usually do it when I want to, not because the calender says I should do so. Me and Padi talked about some of the New Years resoltions that I should employ, and eventually these changes should come into play - but I can't feel comfortable with an exact point in time that someone can change themselves. Change is an ongoing process that you adopt and work at every day. Everyone has things that they wish they could change about themselves, even though mistakes repeat themselves constantly it's a resiliant and static, "Damn, I should fix that about myself." I know there are things I should fix about myself, the way I think about certain things, the way I look at certain things and how I adapt in certain situaitons. Quite frankly though, if you get rid of those things that you don't like about yourself...what is left of you? The question is, if you change things that are in your minds eye your flaws, does that in turn change your personality? We all have things that we dislike about ourselves, but everyone else loves in us and may not even realize it. Therefore, I have to fully regret to everyone that I don't have any New Year's resolutions, only things that I hope to change though a constant and ongoing process, not so much self-dicipline, but more awareness and recognition. So, in essence, I've had this same goal for a long time, regardless of whether it's the new year or not. Happy 2007.

***

A coming of age for the European currency

By Ralph Atkins in Frankfurt

Published: December 27 2006 22:07 | Last updated: December 27 2006 22:07

On January 1, 2007, Europe celebrates the fifth anniversary of the launch of euro notes and coins by welcoming a thirteenth member of the eurozone – Slovenia, the tiny former Yugoslav republic. But the eurozone’s geographical expansion is modest in comparison with the rapid growth in euro notes in circulation within the region and beyond.

Earlier this month, the value of euro notes pushed through the €600bn (£402bn; $787bn) level – roughly double the value of the then-national currencies in circulation at the end of 2001. The signs are that in December the currency came of age by overtaking the US dollar in terms of the value of notes in circulation. The figures used for the comparison by the Financial Times include notes held in the vaults of commercial banks but exclude reserves of notes held by central banks.

Slovenia’s small size – its population is just 2m – means that the impact of its entry will be hard to separate from the usual spike in demand for cash around Christmas and New Year, according to Antti Heinonen, head of the European central bank’s bank notes directorate. So what has driven rapid growth in euro notes?

After the 2002 launch, the rate of increase slowed, but has remained at or above 10 per cent a year. The exact reasons are unclear; even central banks do not know where their notes are or for what purposes they are used.

Mr Heinonen suggests several explanations. Within the eurozone, citizens may still be adjusting to the new currency. In terms of population, the eurozone, with 315m inhabitants, is larger than the US. Low interest and inflation rates have “reduced the opportunity cost of holding cash, rather than putting your money in a bank account”, he says.

Eurozone citizens anyway like to hoard some cash, perhaps more than their US counterparts, especially if they have difficulty getting to an automated cash dispenser. Electronic payment systems remain far from universal.

Robust eurozone growth, which has matched that in the US in recent quarters, could have added to demand.

Other clues come from the popularity of different euro notes. In volume terms, €500 notes have seen the fastest growth; their number in circulation was rising at an annual rate of almost 14 per cent in November. The volume of low-denomination dollar notes means that in terms of individual notes in circulation, the dollar leads the euro, and the dollar has retained its title as “cash most used outside of its borders”, says Mr Heinonen.

The popularity of high-value euro notes might result from their use by criminals, although the ECB does not put too much weight on such factors. “Clearly cash is used by criminals because it is an anonymous instrument,” adds Mr Heinonen. “But to say that it would be more difficult to commit a crime if we didn’t have high denomination notes would be to confuse cause and effect. If we didn’t have the higher denominations, criminals would use the lower denominations – or other global currencies, such as the US dollar or Swiss franc.”

The overseas demand for euro notes is clearer to see. Tourists travelling outside the eurozone are likely to have taken euro notes with them and not brought so many back. The notes have also become popular in European Union member states that hope to one day to join the eurozone. Kosovo and Montenegro have adopted the euro as their national currency, even though they are not yet EU members. In countries such as Russia and beyond, euros have gained acceptance.

And at least when it comes to overseas use, the ECB has some indications about the scale of demand. Using statistics on the net the value of euros shipped by financial institutions, the ECB estimates that the stock held outside the eurozone must be worth at least €55bn, and that is almost certainly too low an estimate given the net outflow accounted for by tourists.

The ECB estimates that between 10 and 20 per cent of the €600bn euro notes in circulation are held outside the eurozone.

***

Ciao, bella! Roma!

In a last minute whim fostered by my friend Bryan, I packed my bags Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day at 5:30 a.m. I made my way to the airport and headed to Rome, Italy. Christmas Eve I had headed back to Stuttgart from Berlin, after dropping my cousin off at her plane. Landing in Stuttgart, I realized how really alone I was feeling since I had absolutley no plans for Christmas or anywhere to go. Bryan says, "Hey, do you want to go to Rome?" and I think, well, "Why the hell not?" Turns out it was one of the best decisions that I have made in a long time. After a semi-long journey and a change plane later, I was walking down Via Cavour from the Stazione Termini (main station) and just through the cars in the street I spot the Colloseum. I couldn't believe my eyes, and on Christmas Day - in a couple of meters I would be standing in front of the Colloseum. I took in with complete awe how massive it was, still relativley intact, surrounded by trees and large crowds of people. Just to the west were the Foro Romano (Roman Forum) which consisted of intriciate ruins of many plazas, temples and columns.

The walk continued and we headed to the western part of the city to find a hotel, passing by the Piazza Venenzia we stopped to take some pictures and Bryan watched me stare at things some more.

After walking some, we managed to get a super sweet hotel right in the middle of the western part of the city, close to everything and super-renovated. A huge contrast to what I had read about hotels in Italy, but I guess Bryan knew I didn't feel like hosteling it this one.

Christmas Day was spent walking around the city, checking out Piazzas and walking the city from top to bottom. I was totally enamoured by the City of Rome. I never thought that I could be so uterlly impressed by a city like I was there. Everywhere I looked, things looked so old I couldn't even fathom, then a corner would be turned - and there would stand something even older. For dinner on Christmas Day I had some authentic spahetti with meat sauce, some great cheese and a fabulous merlot that melted in your cheeks. Headed out to a couple of bars, the most famous being The Drunken Ship, a well known tourist bar that had Elephant Beer on tap. Only problem was the lack of toilet seats in Rome, so after a couple of wines and two large pints of Elephant beer...I have to admit that it got pretty tricky. The rest of the evening was spent walking around the city at night and making our way to St. Peter's Basilica located in Vatican City. The sight of this place at night, with pretty much no one there is something I will never forget.






































Day two woke up pretty early and did a lot more sightseeing, we headed back to St. Peters Basilica, but after seeing the probably 45 minute line to get in (and a little bit of a hangover literally hanging over my head) I decided that I would okay with not going in, besides, Bryan has it on video. After that, we went past the Pantheon for a little bit, took some pictures but left rather quickly due to the very thick crowds and the Gladiator impersonators trying to milk you out of your cash. I've never seen a gladiator with a beer belly, but they exhist in Rome, haha.

The next major spot that we hit was the Fountain di Trevi (Trevi Fountain), which I would have to say was my most favorite spot that we went to in the whole city. it has to have been one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my whole life. We spent a considerable amout of time, taking lots of pictures and I threw a coin in there for some good love luck.

The most impending thing I felt in the city was how old it was. Yes, we all know that Rome is old...but I have never been anywhere would I could actually feel that. I would walk through the streets there and in my minds eye, I could smell the city as it was thousands of years ago - the smell of spices and sweat, people yelling, dogs barking, fountains running and smoke swirling. It was a truly magical experience and I will never forget my time there, hopefully that coin in the fountain will ensure my return.

***

Clermont-Ferrand, France aka House Music Weekend

On the 15th of December I hopped a plane to Paris, France in the very early morning to take my flight. With nervousness to the walls, I waited for Chris to come off the plane in Paris to see him for the first time in five months. It was a really great feeling to standing there with him again. I tried, but couldn't help but start crying - it was such a good feeling to be waiting so long for something, and then it happens and everything comes full circle. After his arrival, we hopped the train and took it four hours to Clermont-Ferrand, France. Chris was scheduled to play LeVelvet nightclub on that Friday, and after a short tour of the town, some bomb paninnis and a short nap we were ready to go. The night started with a great dinner with Fred and all of his friends and then off to the club. Apparently it's common for the guest of the DJ to have open bar all night (!) and pretty self-explanatory I had a pretty good time. Stumbled out of the club around 5 a.m. and proceeded to afterhours at Fred's place on the 5th floor of a fabulous building, stumbed out of there around 7 am - got lost trying to walk home but finally made it back. Saturday was spent sleeping off the night before, and grabbing some dinner and taking a ride on the huge ferris wheel in the middle of town. Sunday up super early again, and sleeping most of the way back to Paris. Said goodby and headed back to Stuttgart with a little bit of sadness, but also a good feeling.

Chris Grant Live in France @ Le Velvet

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Webquiz Randomness

I didn't even put anything in except for my name...creepy. I don't even know what an expression number is...

Your Expression Number is 6

You have an outstanding sense of responsibility, love, and balance. You are helpful and inclined to comfort those in need. You have many artistic and creative talents, but you only use them to better others. You are loving, friendly, and appreciative of others. You have a depth of understanding that produces much kindness and generosity. Openness and honesty are apparent in your approach to all relationships. Sometimes, you can be too demanding of yourself. At times, you tend to sacrifice yourself for the welfare of others. At other times, you have trouble distinguishing between helping and interfering.

What's Your Expression Number?

***

Becks Gold vs. Gold Belt

Things I like about Germany:

Bretzel - This fine piece of essen is the most tasty fresh out of the oven, with lots of salt and a coffee to go (usually around 1 p.m. when you leave the house for the first time going to class).

Schnitzel - Best eaten only once per month, or you end up feeling like a slab of fried pork. Best served with Bratkartoffeln (another favorite), this menu staple is always a sure bet.

Sinupret Forte - Kind of like Sudafed, except it could cure a cold in a 400 lb Gorilla. I can't even count the number of times this stuff kept me from keeling over dying from sinus infection.

Beer - No explanation necessary.

Nivea Creme - I am convinced this stuff could cure cancer if we only tried.

Things I do not like about Germany:

Euro Jeans - This is a severe example of what I see here in Europe, but you can also take parts of these jeans above, maybe add them to the hem, some sparkles on the side. Don't forget to hang them at the top of your ass and wear untied tennis shoes with them. I am in bad jean mecca.

Leberkaese - I'm not quite sure what it is, but I don't think the words "Liver" and "Cheese" should under any circumstances be in the same word. It's always on special here, gee, wonder why.

White Boots - The arch nemisis of any fashion forward woman. For extra effect, sometimes they are covered in gold flecks, sparkles, rhinestones, or have a steel heel. Usually worn over Euro Jeans (see above) and gold belt (see below).

Radler Beer - You would think that any sort of beer from Germany would be good, which is usually the case. Not this stuff though, it's a refreshing mix of beer and....cola. If you're lucky and feeling adventerous, I've also seen it in orange cola flavor.

Gold Belt - What woman's wardrobe isn't complete with a cheap gold belt to match your gold purse, gold headscarf, big gold earrings, acid wash jeans and white boots.

***

My Personal Rotation

Here is a snippit of what has been on constant my iTunes rotation for the past year...no particular order.

Albums:

Bjork - Post
Tosca - Delhi 9
Dido - Life For Rent
Avalance - Since I Left You
Brett Dennen - Brett Dennen
James Blunt - Back to Bedlam
Billy Holiday - Four Disc Set
2Raumwohnung - Es Wird Morgen
The Whitest Boy Alive - Dreams
Jose Gonzalez - Transtlvania 90210
Kings of Convenience - The Build Up
Gotan Project - La Revancha Del Tango
Zero 7 - When It Falls & Simple Things

DJ Sets:

DJ Mes - Bouncy Bounce
Thomas Sahs - No Title
Ken of ECB - Live in DC
J-Phlip - The Other Side
Jacob London - Spring Mix
Chris Grant - Number Five
Cade - I'm Not From Chicago
Raoul Belmans - Live at Mint
Chris Grant - Live in Detroit
Slater Hogan - August 2006 Mix
Karl Almaria - Live at Grizzled
Mastik Soul - September 2006 Mix
Jay West - Feel the Flavor Mix 2006
Jay West - Deep as Your Sister's Pussy Mix
Massimo Dacosta - Live at Darkroom, Chicago

John Mork (Sound Republic) - Live at Safehouse

***

Sometimes, I don't want to get out of bed.

About two weeks ago, my grandpa, or "Gampy" had a stroke. The artery on the back of his neck was completely dissolved and the artery that goes up the front of your chest, and up the side of your neck - was 75% clogged. Out of this artery a small piece of plaque chipped off, travelled up his bloodstream and lodged itsself causing a stroke. Right now, as I sit in Germany he is in a rehab facility near Chicago. Unable to get home, for the second time in a family tragedy is really wearing me down pretty thin I'd have to say. When situations like this occur, and you know you have no control - and even being home wouldn't necessarily do much for it - you can't help but feel bad. At least if I was home, I wold be able to help out some how I am sure of that.

Christmas is just around the corner, and the homesickness starts to set in and I begin to wonder if it's even worth it to be here when I find myself depressed pretty much once or twice a week, and just wanting one week to catch my breath, regroup and then come back to Germany and start fresh with my internship. Shortly after the stroke, I also received news that my dad was in the hospital with some sort of strange bacterial infection, unable to fly - he's not coming for Christmas as planned. Luckly though, my cousin decided to still come even though my dad won't make it, and I'm truly thankful for that. She leaves December 24th from the airport in Berlin at 10a.m...so when I say good-bye to her, I will find myself in Berlin, alone with Christmas the next day. I know that I have places to go, but the original plan was for my dad to be there in Berlin, leaving on the 26th. Right now it's really hard to think of much else I would want to be doing, but I have to make that decision soon. Of course there have been offers on what to do from various friends here in Germany.

The program gave me permission to go home for Christmas given the circumstances. It's too late now though, after looking, for me to go home the 24th with Katie and come back on the 28th - is running about $1,000. I already have a flight to Berlin from Stuttgart on the 29th of December in order to meet Chris on the 30th. Technically, I could fly in and out of Berlin - but then I am putting myself in a position of dragging around a suitcase for two weeks, going home for 4 nights - then coming home. I can't really know if that is something that is worth it or not, or aside from everything, if it psychologically would be something worth doing.

So, sometimes, like today. I don't want to get out of bed. I lay there, stare at the ceiling and try to keep my mind as blank as possible, or close my eyes and imagine a place that is not here. I'm not sure if it's healthy, but at this point it's about all I can do from keeping myself from going completely batty. I don't have anything specifically against Germany in any, way, shape or form...it's the feeling that people need you at home...and you can't help them. There is no way that I can make it home without paying tons of money and wearing myself out so bad there is the possibility of getting sick from all the crazy travel I would have a head of me. Sometimes I pace my room, or I walk outside and get on the train...take it downtown...walk there as well. I grab a coffee and people watch, totally ignoring that on the inside, after everything that has happened in the past months - including things all of you know about, and the things you have no idea about - I really, truly am not happy right now and I'm not quite sure how to fix that. This is a tough thing for me, because I can't honestly say that I've ever really been "depressed" before, but I'm pretty sure that is what is going on right now. I hope it passes like everything else in life, and I can look back and possibly learn from it.

***

Die Alpen

Padi's Visit

Padi has come and gone and I have to say that it was really nice to have a friend here for a couple of days. She arrived on the 16th of December and we proceeded in our usual fashion to spend the next three days gulping down beers, trying to act cool, and making fun of euro trash in white boots and gold belts. Sunday night was a great night and headed to a town outside of Stuttgart to watch the Bear's game (they won) and me egging Padi on with Jaegermeister shots and tall pints of beer. Wobbling home after the bears game proved to be more than challenging. Later in the week after Padi had recovered from an unfortunate bout of tonsilitis and her first visit to a doctor in Germany, we went to a town called Alzay-Heimersheim. I attempted to find an actual website for the town, but as far as I can find - none exist (it was that small). We wait around for an hour in the wonderful, cold, drizzly German weather eating cheese and brotchen...in front of the wrong church. Apparently, in a town of 300 people - there are two churches. After going to the right church, we had a tour of the church where Padi's ancestors were baptised, married, etc. and quickly booked out for Mainz where we spent our Thanksgiving. Me, "Schweinshaxe mit Bratkartoffeln" and her, vegetables so covered in cheese and butter sauce you would not have even recognized them as vegetables. Our last night in Stuttgart consisted of lots of beers, political arguments and trying our last attempt to teach Padi German. So far she can do three things: find the bathroom, order a beer, and get laid. But hey, what else do you really need? I loved her effort though, an american with a spanish/russian accent speaking German is the cutest thing ever.

I have to admit that it was actually difficult for me to have someone here with me for so long. It was nothing against Padi, but I've honestly been over here "by myself" for the past four months and I didn't realize how used I had gotten to that. I was always naturally a loner of some sorts in the US, but this is the most extreme I've had to be like this since I can remember. Usually it's just me, my laptop and my thoughts running away and no one around to stop them for me. I thank her for stopping them for a couple of days for me.

Here is a link to Padi's awesome photo taking skills. - please contact me for password

In other news, my German was not as good as I thought. I've been using fabric softner to wash my clothes for the past four months. I wondered why all my whites were turning grey...everything smelled really nice though.

***

CC: Padi's Experience in Stuttgart

The guy next door won't stop singing classic rock and the group kitchen is a total wreck...ah, so nice to be in Germany once again.

A couple of things I have a tendency to forget:
- travel approximates 24-hr high except your feet hurt
- just hearing English can be a really nice thing
- everything in Germany is clean, efficient, and timely. everything. you should see these people when something's not on time.
- euros spend like dollars but cost so much more


So far Stuttgart has been an extension of sorts of most Christine-and-Padi times. We dine in cheap eateries on mounds of tasty food, trek all over the city, dodge wankers in fast cars or maneuver train systems, and gulp down beer all the while appearing deep in thought, trying to look vaguely European and smoking cigarettes. We laugh like assholes at secret jokes and language misunderstandings. And at some point in travel you find those people from Kent State or some other appropriately midwestern venue and start talking about the latest political happenings or sports events. While it's tempting to keep up the expat thing, I am here for far too short of a time to spend it all as we did last night, watching the Bears game 6 hours behind and talking to Ohio guys and gals from the Army base next door. Does anyone in Ohio ever stay there? Jesus, it's like we're locusts or something. I just remind people I didn't vote for Bush and it's generally okay.

So tomorrow we get tickets to Alzey, which is purported to be 10 minutes outside of our "family home" or church...something like that. My mission from my mother is to find records of family members who lived there in Heimmersheim and may have emigrated. In German. Sounds good, huh?

Then we get a ride to Hamburg (Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg) and check out the ports. From Wiki:

"Hamburg is situated on the southern tip of Jutland Peninsula, geographically centred (a) between Continental Europe and Scandinavia and (b) between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The city of Hamburg lies at the junction of the river Elbe with the rivers Alster and Bille and the city centre is beautifully set around two lakes, the Binnenalster ("Inner Alster") and the Aussenalster ("Outer Alster")."

So that should be fun...

Much love,

PH

PS: I've never heard so much Meatloaf in my life. There's like a 24hour Meatloaf station. Really forces you to ponder the intricacies of Meatloaf.

***

Classic Christine

Padi is now in town and have to say I'm the happiest I've been since I got here. Last night we went and saw DJ Z-Trip and it was really awesome. I had a CD of his from a long time ago that I always loved, and hoped that he hadn't "cheesed out" or anything like that. Great set and great crowd.

Here's the kicker of the night. Admittedly, Padi and I were pretty sauced as we exited the club. I had to go to the bathroom, and proceeded to a large flower garden area in front of a major German bank. I go, manage to throw my purse somewhere in the foilage and also fall on my (bare) ass in to a giant rose bush. I get up, and realize I can't find my purse and the next 10 minutes is spent rummaging through trying to find it on the verge of tears. "My life is in that purse!" Padi calls my phone and we eventually find it...drunk passers also attempt to help to help as well.

It's hard to describe the absolute absurdidy of this moment last night. There I am, so drunk I can barely stand, and me and Padi are rummaging through a large garden area. Drunk people exiting the bar attempting to see what we are doing...I'm on the verge of tears thinking I've lost my platinum Mastercard yelling...

"Text me again, Padi! TEXT ME AGAIN!"

I woke up this morning with three thorns in my hands, and large scratches all over my back and ass.

***

Quote of the Week

"America is different. American charts its own, unique path. America insists on being measured only against itself. It is the world's most advanced country yet has remained astonishly conservative. It is the top producer of pornography, yet pious to the point of bigotry. It builds mini-nukes to defend itself from dictators while granting almost restricted access to firearms to its citizens. It engineers the world's best computers but interprets the Bible literally. It produces Nobel Prize winners by the score but considers Darwin's findings blaphemous. It's the world's freest nation, yet it tolerates numerous taboos. It indulges it a socially unhinged form of capitalism that, unlike int he progressive countries of Europe, does not undermind the Protestant work ethic dirving its success."

Der Spiegel, June 2006

***

Important Security Update!

My lipgloss was deemed too dangerous...and "plastic bagged".

Buy stock in Ziplock, seriously.

Oh, but my lighter got through again.

***

New "safety" measures on planes.

I go to the airport today, very happy that for once I don't have to check my bag because it's only one night. I get handed a brochure and asked, "Are you aware of the new regulations?". I reply with a polite "Ja, danke." and actually manage not to roll my eyes. I go through the x-ray and get double checked because my items were not in a PLASTIC BAG, but a CLEAR tupperware. They are eyeing my products in english and take out the bottle of "Neutrogena Face Wash" and tell me I can't take it on because the "bottle is too big". The bottle was about 1/3 full, but still too big - max is 100 ml or some shit like that.

This really angers me because it's FACE WASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not a knife, not a bomb, not a granade or shotgun...a bottle of face wash, and clear might I add. What is going on here? How is it, as a world of people, we don't allow people to take face wash on the plane. What am I going to do, threaten someone with the convienant pump action.


Hey! This plane is under hostage! Nobody move or um...I'm going to pump the top of this bottle of soap, and it's going to dribble on the floor...and maybe it will stain. I'm serious here! Nobody move!

I get through leaving my bottle at the counter, and realize they didn't notice the two lighters in my purse.

Although I am not in a situation to boycott what is happening here and not fly, I can say that this whole world is really becoming scared of it's own shadow and it's pathetic. My main complaint is that the safety measures are GROSSLY inconsistent at the airport, sometimes I get my lighter through...other times they take it. For every 24 year old young woman they stop for having a "perfume bottle that is too big", they might want to use that $4 it cost to check my see-through tupperware to hire another bomb dog. I'm really getting sick of the personal rights that are being violated to combat the "war on terror". Sure, it's a bottle of facewash they won't let me take on, but next thing you know my "pre-flight urine sample contains levels of mercury" and therefore will be put in "pre-flight holding" while they check my DNA for "aggression genes".

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I'd like to introduce you to some people!

Soccer! Fussball!

Last night I went to my first large scale soccer game in Stuttgart. I went to a Fortuna Game in Duesseldorf a couple months ago with Stefan, which was more than memorable. Going to something on this large of a scale was really an experience to be had. First of all, the stadium is HUGE. Second, it's so loud in there you can't even compare it to the fans in the US. The only thing that was similar on the noise scale, would have to be a Cubs vs. Sox showdown at Wrigley or Bears vs. Packers. I don't even know if Stuttgart and Hamburg are necessarily "rivals" but you sure would think that given the way everyone was going so nuts. We got there and managed to squeeze our way up into the top rafters and of course there is no seating, you have to stand for the whole game. How else will you have enough energy to yell for the next two hours? Starting out...all seems quiet.

...then I see the large flag poles raised, notice the larg BLOCK flag that takes 20 people to hold up.

Then they call out the names of the players...

After that all hell breaks loose...

Sorry there is no sound :( But it was damn loud. Always remember too, if you go to a German soccer game, and they score a goal - don't have a full beer in hand and go with someone who can hold onto you so you don't end up with the wind knocked out of you! It was really cool and I hope that I can go again, except bring some friends from the US and show this to them. Totally unreal!

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