Love,
Thomas and Wolfgang
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Bike Tour with Wolfgang
A picture for your enjoyment. Wolfgang is like a 60 year old version of Dave on a sugar high. This is a picture from our 8 hour bike ride to Remagen and back. Right now he's climbing a 4000 meter mountain with his brother in Italy.
Love,
Thomas and Wolfgang
Love,
Thomas and Wolfgang
Hello from across the pond!
My fellow Americans,
other thoughts:
I am happy to report that I have safely arrived in London and have been here for just over a week now. I am living in a dorm (hey freshman year!) and my roommate is a fellow aggie named Aimee. We occupy a very small space but do get our own locked cubbie in the community refrigerator so thats nice. We live on the 13th floor and have a great view of the city, the area we live in is very urban and kind of reminds me of NYC.
I started my internship yesterday at an advertising agency and really like it. Its a small office and the people are really nice, laid back, and fun. They all like to say the F-word a lot but it doesn't seem so bad in the British accent. The office is in Soho and is surrounded by tons of great places to eat lunch, I had an awesome burrito for lunch today from a stand down the street, the first real tex mex food I have found thus far. The commute to work is only about 20-25 minutes. All I have to do is walk down the street to King's Cross Station, go to platform 9 3/4 (not really, I take the Piccadilly line), and ride the tube to Piccadilly Circus where I get off and walk a couple minutes to the office. All the tube workers are going on strike for the next two days, which means no underground trains running at all, so we'll see how happy I am about my commute on Friday.
All last week was orientation for the program I'm doing. We did a lot of sight seeing with my program and on our own so that was good. Here are a few highlights:
The Tower of London-lots of beheading and murder went on there
Parliament & Big Ben- its my favorite at night when its all lit up
The London Eye- very big and very slow
Westminster Abbey- very beautiful
Greenwich-home of time, the prime meridian, & longitude (the last picture is of Aimee & me in the 2 different hemishperes)
Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens- we flock there when the sun shines
Trafalgar Square- got to watch a ballet on a big screen there one night
other thoughts:
-I am constantly dodgeing/shrieking/flinching at every pigeon that comes within 3ft of me
-if I blow or wipe my nose black stuff comes out b/c of all the dirt & smog (NYC people: try this)
-I hope I don't have lung cancer when i get back from second hand smoke
-I need more skinny jeans & black clothes so I can blend in
-the Queens birthday is Saturday, we're going to the parade
I miss you all terribly and can't wait to see your lovely faces again soon (can you tell I'm picking up a British accent??) There is a 6 hour time difference between here and Texas but I am on skype whenever I am in my room. I love keeping up with the blog and hearing your voices come out of my computer screen as I read your words. I'll keep you updated, I love you all!
Monday, June 8, 2009
I'm Winning!
11:50 PM Highland Village, Tx
45 degree knee bend. More exciting than Alex's soon-to-be NY adventure. But not more exciting than Heidi and Spencer's wedding. Or the fact that Twilight won Best Kiss and Best Movie against the gay guys in Milk and the rest of the cast of Milk at the MTV Movie Awards.
Yes, even more exciting than the man on TV with the green question mark jacket that teaches people how to get money from the government.
And definitely not more exciting than this...
Miss you guys. I found this picture today during my break between trying to get money from the government and figuring out a solution to my latest quandary*.
*Hypothetically, if you had a tattoo on your back that your mother didn't know about but you're about to go on a cruise so she's going to find out, what would you do? This could get worse than Jon and Kate's situation. And I'm not just talking about Kate's hair (AHHH!).
-Rabbit
P.S. Congrats Alex. Thats very Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Die Deutsche Essen
Dearest friends. From this long time apart, I have become slowly reminded that I do, indeed, miss you all. Yet I rarely have cravings for you like I do my favorite foods - and it is this tangible lack of fulfillment of the 5th most important of my senses that has brought me to write today.
(First of all, I shall henceforth refer to Germany as Deutschland {and subsequently Italy as Italia and Japan as Nipon}).
Anyways, there is no spicy food in Deutschland. One can buy the "HOT!!!" mexican salsa at the supermarket if he is looking to enjoy a sweet tomato sauce. So anyone with the capability to purchase spicy food, don't take it for granted!
The week I came here I had a cold/allergies and was drinking five or six quarts a day to help the situation. Barbara (my Deutsche Mother {pronounced Bah-bah-rwah}) told me that drinking more than 3 liters (God bless the metric system) of water a day makes it hard for your heart to pump blood. I told her that if this were true, I had a certain friend named Kelly who should certainly be dead.
Today, Barbara and papa Friedhelm came back from the store with some asparagus. Having experienced (and disliked due to their wormy consistency) boiled asparagus already, I told Barbara I was not only knowledgeable but capable of cooking lightly oiled and garlic-salted asparagus on a grill. She thought we could give it a try, but that it sounded really fatty. She then proceeded to cook an un-fatty 2-course meal of French Fries and radishes.
So Deutschland may be beautiful and rich in culture, but the eating over here is nothing if not quizzical.
I had a Texas BBQ Burger at the Big Apple Grill last night though, so I should be okay until July. Prestige - make sure there's some good salsa in the fridge. Next post - my bike tour with Wolfgang (for real).
Es freue mich, dass ich euch bald sehen soll,
Thomas
(First of all, I shall henceforth refer to Germany as Deutschland {and subsequently Italy as Italia and Japan as Nipon}).
Anyways, there is no spicy food in Deutschland. One can buy the "HOT!!!" mexican salsa at the supermarket if he is looking to enjoy a sweet tomato sauce. So anyone with the capability to purchase spicy food, don't take it for granted!
The week I came here I had a cold/allergies and was drinking five or six quarts a day to help the situation. Barbara (my Deutsche Mother {pronounced Bah-bah-rwah}) told me that drinking more than 3 liters (God bless the metric system) of water a day makes it hard for your heart to pump blood. I told her that if this were true, I had a certain friend named Kelly who should certainly be dead.
Today, Barbara and papa Friedhelm came back from the store with some asparagus. Having experienced (and disliked due to their wormy consistency) boiled asparagus already, I told Barbara I was not only knowledgeable but capable of cooking lightly oiled and garlic-salted asparagus on a grill. She thought we could give it a try, but that it sounded really fatty. She then proceeded to cook an un-fatty 2-course meal of French Fries and radishes.
So Deutschland may be beautiful and rich in culture, but the eating over here is nothing if not quizzical.
I had a Texas BBQ Burger at the Big Apple Grill last night though, so I should be okay until July. Prestige - make sure there's some good salsa in the fridge. Next post - my bike tour with Wolfgang (for real).
Es freue mich, dass ich euch bald sehen soll,
Thomas
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Stilettos in Harlem
12:04 am
Fellow Texans,
We just realized that we have miserably failed as friends for taking so long to post on our infamous blog. I can't wait for Smithie to catch up on what I'm doing in the city this summer. So, we are going to give you the highlights since we have done so much.
May 21: I (Matty) arrives in NYC. After setting my bags down and unloading my belongings in the shanky apartment, which happens to be conveniently located in Koreatown, I hit the streets. Across from my apartment is Herald's Square, which happens to be quite busy most of the day. I noticed a plastic duane reade bag tumbling toward me. Being the earth friendly and southerner that I am, I played cat and mouse with the plastic bag until I was able to swoop down and properly dispose of the distasteful littering in the closest trash can. All the while, a "new yorker" passed by me, ipod in ear, saying "new to the city, huh?" Bummer, just because I was trying to clean up my new home, I get called out for doing a good deed and gaining more jewels on my crown...how rude. It's going to be a long summer.
Paige arrives in all her glory on May 24th. Dressed in business professional and ready to tackle Wall Street investment banking industry. Unfortunately, after sitting through a myriad of office visits, she has decided to continue on with Tell Your Story...for life.
Escapade #1 - My Dominican Republic landlord starts causing all kinds of trouble, so TP starts looking for a new apartment for me. I get a phone call from my dad telling me I need to go see the new apartment at 8pm located on 116th st. I live on 35th. Being new to the city, neither Paige or I knew where we were going, but we were looking good. Paige recently made a new purchase at Nordie's for some new pumps. She decided to break them in on our adventure this evening. When she met me at my apartment, the back of her heels were raw and we had a FEW blocks to travel. Luckily we made it to the subway and got off on 116th st. The surprise: when we emerged from the murky underground, we happened to find ourselves in Harlem. Yes, Harlem. After I moved my wallet to the front pocket we began our trek another 4 blocks. Well, Paige unfortunately couldnt make it all the way, so I PIGGY-BACKED HER for rest of the way. Just so you know, we were surrounded by Sol's relatives and no one spoke English. We looked ridiculous of course.
Escapade #2 - Paige has a book that she received from our beloved Rachel Toppert that has all the "hot spots" to the city. She dragged me and two other poor souls from Aggies on Wall Street to the best taco bar in New York City. The place was called La Esquina. We WALLLLLKKED 30 blocks to get there. It was ridiculous and all of us were starving. Like every escapade with Paige, the location was a little miscontrued. We couldn't find the taco bar...until we turned around and noticed a closed Mexican shack with "The Corner" written on one side translated into "La Esquina" on the other. Literally, homeless people sleep there during closed hours. Thus, we walked back until we found a nice Italian restaraunt that satsified our hunger.
Escapade #3 - With Paige and I in the city, you know we have a few stories. Once she arrived in her barracks, she noticed she needed a few things: a pillow, blankets, sheets, towels, shampoo, conditioner, and a hair dryer. All that space for those damn stilettos. We tackled the city as soon as we could, but put off finding a blanket until 10:30 that evening. We went Sleepy's, a closed Bed Bath and Beyond, a Duane Reade, and closed Yankee store hoping for some fan memorabilia. We made our way to Times Square because we knew we could find something down there. The Hard Rock Cafe might have blankets, but no. We get so desparate for Paige to have a warm and comfortable night, that we marched into a Hilton hotel. We spoke to the two men at the front desk and tried to barter for a blanket. We offered to bring it back the next day..they weren't giving it to us. We contemplated going up on the elevator and stealing a blanket from the maid's cart. But, since we are trying to be the lights in this dark city, we chose not too (again..jewels on the crown). Luckily, we found an open Walgreens that happened to have blankets that wouldn't even cover my legs. So we bought two and called it a night.
Escapade #4 - Abbey and I went to have a night together in Central Park...minus the picnic and the wine, or any kind of romantic setting Matt. After we sat there for a while we made our way to Union Square. In the square we noticed a rally was taking place, so like tourists we ran acorss the street to find out what was going on. Signs reading, "free hugs here" were all over the place. I always love a good hug from a sweaty stranger. As we creeped closer, we noticed that it was a group of 14-17 year old kids. Oddly enough, they were all dressed as punk rockers and dancing without any music. Not an ihome or anything in sight....just dance. As we gazed in amazement at what we assume was a drug rally for people on ecstacy, we found their leader. He was a skinny lad that was carrying a pineapple. As he raised his pineapple, which had glow sticks shooting out of the top, the crazed teens started yelling. It was one of the most bizarre scenarios I have ever been a part of. But, I've joined the group and look forward to our next rally.
On Monday, LD got here and we went to Seredipity's. We met up with two of Abbey's friends from home and had a really good time.
Last night was my company's first event and LD and her friend Kate were able to come. I gave them VIP bracelets and they shopped the newest and coolest fashions this side of the Red River. Along with the perks of a VIP bracelet, they received a VIP gift bag. Inside: $50 gift certificate for a waxing and "dotted" condoms, which happen to be better than the ribbed kind according to the people from Jersey that I work with. Sketch.
Well, it's getting somewhat late and we are all pretty tired from the day, so that's all we have for now. We are trying to get better about updating our stories so that we can keep you updated.
We miss and love all of you,
Matt, LD, Abbey, and Paige
Fellow Texans,
We just realized that we have miserably failed as friends for taking so long to post on our infamous blog. I can't wait for Smithie to catch up on what I'm doing in the city this summer. So, we are going to give you the highlights since we have done so much.
May 21: I (Matty) arrives in NYC. After setting my bags down and unloading my belongings in the shanky apartment, which happens to be conveniently located in Koreatown, I hit the streets. Across from my apartment is Herald's Square, which happens to be quite busy most of the day. I noticed a plastic duane reade bag tumbling toward me. Being the earth friendly and southerner that I am, I played cat and mouse with the plastic bag until I was able to swoop down and properly dispose of the distasteful littering in the closest trash can. All the while, a "new yorker" passed by me, ipod in ear, saying "new to the city, huh?" Bummer, just because I was trying to clean up my new home, I get called out for doing a good deed and gaining more jewels on my crown...how rude. It's going to be a long summer.
Paige arrives in all her glory on May 24th. Dressed in business professional and ready to tackle Wall Street investment banking industry. Unfortunately, after sitting through a myriad of office visits, she has decided to continue on with Tell Your Story...for life.
Escapade #1 - My Dominican Republic landlord starts causing all kinds of trouble, so TP starts looking for a new apartment for me. I get a phone call from my dad telling me I need to go see the new apartment at 8pm located on 116th st. I live on 35th. Being new to the city, neither Paige or I knew where we were going, but we were looking good. Paige recently made a new purchase at Nordie's for some new pumps. She decided to break them in on our adventure this evening. When she met me at my apartment, the back of her heels were raw and we had a FEW blocks to travel. Luckily we made it to the subway and got off on 116th st. The surprise: when we emerged from the murky underground, we happened to find ourselves in Harlem. Yes, Harlem. After I moved my wallet to the front pocket we began our trek another 4 blocks. Well, Paige unfortunately couldnt make it all the way, so I PIGGY-BACKED HER for rest of the way. Just so you know, we were surrounded by Sol's relatives and no one spoke English. We looked ridiculous of course.
Escapade #2 - Paige has a book that she received from our beloved Rachel Toppert that has all the "hot spots" to the city. She dragged me and two other poor souls from Aggies on Wall Street to the best taco bar in New York City. The place was called La Esquina. We WALLLLLKKED 30 blocks to get there. It was ridiculous and all of us were starving. Like every escapade with Paige, the location was a little miscontrued. We couldn't find the taco bar...until we turned around and noticed a closed Mexican shack with "The Corner" written on one side translated into "La Esquina" on the other. Literally, homeless people sleep there during closed hours. Thus, we walked back until we found a nice Italian restaraunt that satsified our hunger.
Escapade #3 - With Paige and I in the city, you know we have a few stories. Once she arrived in her barracks, she noticed she needed a few things: a pillow, blankets, sheets, towels, shampoo, conditioner, and a hair dryer. All that space for those damn stilettos. We tackled the city as soon as we could, but put off finding a blanket until 10:30 that evening. We went Sleepy's, a closed Bed Bath and Beyond, a Duane Reade, and closed Yankee store hoping for some fan memorabilia. We made our way to Times Square because we knew we could find something down there. The Hard Rock Cafe might have blankets, but no. We get so desparate for Paige to have a warm and comfortable night, that we marched into a Hilton hotel. We spoke to the two men at the front desk and tried to barter for a blanket. We offered to bring it back the next day..they weren't giving it to us. We contemplated going up on the elevator and stealing a blanket from the maid's cart. But, since we are trying to be the lights in this dark city, we chose not too (again..jewels on the crown). Luckily, we found an open Walgreens that happened to have blankets that wouldn't even cover my legs. So we bought two and called it a night.
Escapade #4 - Abbey and I went to have a night together in Central Park...minus the picnic and the wine, or any kind of romantic setting Matt. After we sat there for a while we made our way to Union Square. In the square we noticed a rally was taking place, so like tourists we ran acorss the street to find out what was going on. Signs reading, "free hugs here" were all over the place. I always love a good hug from a sweaty stranger. As we creeped closer, we noticed that it was a group of 14-17 year old kids. Oddly enough, they were all dressed as punk rockers and dancing without any music. Not an ihome or anything in sight....just dance. As we gazed in amazement at what we assume was a drug rally for people on ecstacy, we found their leader. He was a skinny lad that was carrying a pineapple. As he raised his pineapple, which had glow sticks shooting out of the top, the crazed teens started yelling. It was one of the most bizarre scenarios I have ever been a part of. But, I've joined the group and look forward to our next rally.
On Monday, LD got here and we went to Seredipity's. We met up with two of Abbey's friends from home and had a really good time.
Last night was my company's first event and LD and her friend Kate were able to come. I gave them VIP bracelets and they shopped the newest and coolest fashions this side of the Red River. Along with the perks of a VIP bracelet, they received a VIP gift bag. Inside: $50 gift certificate for a waxing and "dotted" condoms, which happen to be better than the ribbed kind according to the people from Jersey that I work with. Sketch.
Well, it's getting somewhat late and we are all pretty tired from the day, so that's all we have for now. We are trying to get better about updating our stories so that we can keep you updated.
We miss and love all of you,
Matt, LD, Abbey, and Paige
3:20 am at The Callaway House
I finished my 6 mile route for the first time in weeks this morning. I even pwnd (past) 3 n00bs (fellow runners) along the way. [I hope that this last sentence made you smile, Dave]. Even so, by the last mile my right knee was aching and there was no doubt (nor regret) in my mind that I was doing myself more harm than good.
As many of you know, I plan on working as much as possible this summer. Occasionally I become frustrated. During these times part of me is tempted to value the time I spend working no higher than my hourly wage. However, I am fighting to remain optimistic and so far I have not been entirely disappointed.
Things have really slowed down for us at Starbucks. Although this can make time drag a little, it gives us baristas an opportunity to interact with customers in a way that we normally would not be able to. Today, as I prepared his drink, I became engaged in a highly beneficial conversation with a customer. After inquiring about the state of his day and receiving a brief response, I went on to talk about my run this morning. I described it as AWESOME, with the exception of my knee problem. By the time his drink was ready, I had a list of symptoms, a diagnosis, and a prescription for stretches. The lady whose drink followed his also prescribed Bengay and shunned me for not stretching before and after my runs.
Due to College Station’s summer population deflation, I am needed less at Starbucks and have ended up working more at Callaway. Working nights severely affects my sleeping pattern and it isn’t until I’ve established a set schedule that things start to stabilize for me. Without sleep, I am a cranky, moody, caffeined up version of myself that can barely function, let alone talk or think. Fortunately, things have worked out well and I am getting close to 8 hours of sleep daily.
Working at The Callaway House is relatively effortless. During the summer, all I have to do is remain conscious, slowly converting oxygen into carbon dioxide behind the front desk. I have done quite a bit of reading here, however as 4:00 am approaches my brain shuts down and I usually resort to online episodes of The O.C. and Arrested Development.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you soon. Until then,
Love,
Greg
I finished my 6 mile route for the first time in weeks this morning. I even pwnd (past) 3 n00bs (fellow runners) along the way. [I hope that this last sentence made you smile, Dave]. Even so, by the last mile my right knee was aching and there was no doubt (nor regret) in my mind that I was doing myself more harm than good.
As many of you know, I plan on working as much as possible this summer. Occasionally I become frustrated. During these times part of me is tempted to value the time I spend working no higher than my hourly wage. However, I am fighting to remain optimistic and so far I have not been entirely disappointed.
Things have really slowed down for us at Starbucks. Although this can make time drag a little, it gives us baristas an opportunity to interact with customers in a way that we normally would not be able to. Today, as I prepared his drink, I became engaged in a highly beneficial conversation with a customer. After inquiring about the state of his day and receiving a brief response, I went on to talk about my run this morning. I described it as AWESOME, with the exception of my knee problem. By the time his drink was ready, I had a list of symptoms, a diagnosis, and a prescription for stretches. The lady whose drink followed his also prescribed Bengay and shunned me for not stretching before and after my runs.
Due to College Station’s summer population deflation, I am needed less at Starbucks and have ended up working more at Callaway. Working nights severely affects my sleeping pattern and it isn’t until I’ve established a set schedule that things start to stabilize for me. Without sleep, I am a cranky, moody, caffeined up version of myself that can barely function, let alone talk or think. Fortunately, things have worked out well and I am getting close to 8 hours of sleep daily.
Working at The Callaway House is relatively effortless. During the summer, all I have to do is remain conscious, slowly converting oxygen into carbon dioxide behind the front desk. I have done quite a bit of reading here, however as 4:00 am approaches my brain shuts down and I usually resort to online episodes of The O.C. and Arrested Development.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you soon. Until then,
Love,
Greg
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Ode to Summer School
It is 3:32 PM and I am sitting in Langford
I can't understand my professor
I am wishing he was from Odessar
But he's from Iran
At least a nice man,
He could be a theocratic oppressor
I can't understand my professor
I am wishing he was from Odessar
But he's from Iran
At least a nice man,
He could be a theocratic oppressor
"Real World" San Diego
Hello to all,
I can't make this blog very long because I have to go to bed early so I can be ready for work tomorrow, but I wanted to catch you guys up on how San Diego has been treating me. I thankfully made some new friends on my first day here (thank goodness...) So what have I been up to? Well, there's an ex IC intern who works at a surf camp here, so on Sunday morning we woke up early and headed to catch some waves. I saw some seals and a pack of dolphins while I was waiting for some waves! It was epic. I also went to some outlet malls, and I literally could see Mexico from inside Banana Republic while I shopped. Weird.
So, I am living in a house that can hold up to 50 people and it really has been like being on the Real World. Everyone here is super cool, which makes the living situation great. Today was the first day of training at the office and it felt a little unreal that I was really at the IC headquarters with the co-founders who were just on Oprah. Needless to say, I'm really enjoying this internship and it sounds like everyone is having a great summer so far. I really miss you guys and don't worry I am not going to trade you guys for my new Cali friends. :)
Besos,
Solie
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Kneeever been better!
Alex is right. We should blog more about the late Mr. Updike! So, since we’re talking about rabbits, oxycontin, hydrocodin, phenergan (for nausea) have kept this rodent living, loving, and living although he is no longer running.
Surgery (if you don’t know what kind, you can consider yourself worse than smithy) went well, although I discovered anesthesia makes me itchy. Like pollen. And cats. I told that nurse I was allergic to cats.
I’ll spare you all the details, but there was a not so small (in diameter and length) hose that went under my ace wraps and into my leg a few inches under my knee that fed into a plastic container. The container acted as a suction device that extracted the excess blood and liquids from my post surgery knee. I would have to occasionally empty out the blood myself because blood makes Jesse feel weird. Hassle.
Rehab has been getting pretty intense and not as fun as I imagined it would be. My exercises are simple, but painful enough to make me appreciate my patella and my brand new anterior cruxiate ligament. This rabbit’s redux has been going well though. To prove it, let me tell you about my visit to the doctor’s office last week. My doctor is a very kind man and extremely encouraging. He told me warmly that I’d be off my crutches by this weekend. Bullshit, I said in reply. And instead I got off my crutches two days ago. So far, I’m 3 days ahead of schedule.
I’ve included my knee log. It is based on the degree to which I can bend my knee. Golf rules apply.
5/19: 180 degrees. (Perfectly straight)
5/20: 150 degrees.
5/23: 120 degrees.
5/24: 150 degrees. (I dropped a bottle on my knee. Hurt like hell.)
5/28: 100 degrees. (The day I got off the crutches)
5/30: 89 degrees. (Andy’s birthday)
Additionally, I’ve watched the entire first season of Arrested Development, hung out with Jesse (age 9) a lot, and watched full seasons of Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and an assortment of Disney made for TV movies. I’ve also been managing my WebKinz account on the side.
Thanks to everyone who prayed for me. I love you guys and can’t wait to see most of you in College Station soon.
May I leave you with this:
"I knew three things. Edward was a vampire. Edward wanted insatiably to kill me and drink my blood. And, I knew I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him."
-Girl from Twilight regarding Edward after their 3 day acquaintance
My teen angst was a little different, but still relatable.
-Rabbit
2:15 College Station, Texas
Believe it or not after you left, there has not been too much to blog about. I decided to spare you what I learned during hours spent watching Planet Earth (did you know a blue whale's heart weighs 5 tons!), and what roads are currently closed for the never ending construction that defines transportation in college station (Highway 6 south near the rock prairie exit) .
The one speck of excitement on a horizon of mundane has been my father. As many of you know the man borders on paranoid at best. He has been trying to bribe me into taking a concealed handgun course all summer and is also the man who gave me my100,000 watt taser for my birthday, did I mention he also owns one?
The other day, in an overtake of paranoia my dad started to question the actual effectiveness of his taser and decided a performance test was necessary. Naturally the best place for such a test was the laundry room. Despite my mother's pleas of "don't be an idiot, Harry!" my dad tasered simply the TOUNGE OF HIS TENNIS SHOE. I heard a quick swear word from my father a scream from my mother and then a deffining crash (imagine dave's sound effect reindition of a refriderator falling down a mountain and landing on another car). What I walked in on was my dad laying spread eagle against a washing machine slammed halfway through the laundry room wall. Turns out the shock had sent him flying straight into the machine wich inturn had gone almost straight through the wall. My dad laid on the floor laughing for about 5 min. (I think to hide the fact that he couldn't get up). Apparently, he was unable to feel his fingers and toes for the rest of the night. My mom spent the remainder of the evening trying not to laugh and repeteldy reminding him that he was in fact, an idiot.
Dave I completely concur, we should spend as much time with our parents, "They are really interesting" but i don't know if I can say that "they always know more than we do"
katherine
Believe it or not after you left, there has not been too much to blog about. I decided to spare you what I learned during hours spent watching Planet Earth (did you know a blue whale's heart weighs 5 tons!), and what roads are currently closed for the never ending construction that defines transportation in college station (Highway 6 south near the rock prairie exit) .
The one speck of excitement on a horizon of mundane has been my father. As many of you know the man borders on paranoid at best. He has been trying to bribe me into taking a concealed handgun course all summer and is also the man who gave me my100,000 watt taser for my birthday, did I mention he also owns one?
The other day, in an overtake of paranoia my dad started to question the actual effectiveness of his taser and decided a performance test was necessary. Naturally the best place for such a test was the laundry room. Despite my mother's pleas of "don't be an idiot, Harry!" my dad tasered simply the TOUNGE OF HIS TENNIS SHOE. I heard a quick swear word from my father a scream from my mother and then a deffining crash (imagine dave's sound effect reindition of a refriderator falling down a mountain and landing on another car). What I walked in on was my dad laying spread eagle against a washing machine slammed halfway through the laundry room wall. Turns out the shock had sent him flying straight into the machine wich inturn had gone almost straight through the wall. My dad laid on the floor laughing for about 5 min. (I think to hide the fact that he couldn't get up). Apparently, he was unable to feel his fingers and toes for the rest of the night. My mom spent the remainder of the evening trying not to laugh and repeteldy reminding him that he was in fact, an idiot.
Dave I completely concur, we should spend as much time with our parents, "They are really interesting" but i don't know if I can say that "they always know more than we do"
katherine
Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof
An excerpt full of excerpts, read as you will:
May 20 , German Dance Lessons
At about 1 am in the student-club "Das Ding" ('The Thing') hanging out with my new friend Melanie on her birthday, and dancing next to my boy, Florian, to the Backstreet boys, I realized some cultural differences you should know about.
First, it is acceptable to dance by yourself in a corner even if you aren't waiting on your friend to get back from the bar. Second, a group of guys can still freak dance each other for a fifteen second gag as we (atleast I) used to do in high school. Third, if the music gets a little slow, it is acceptable to link arms with all your friends and sway back and forth in a circle. Fourth, if a rock song or another difficult-to-dance-to song is played, it is lots of fun to try and waltz to it!
May 25 , Hot Trains and Crazy Kings
Despite the great advances in alternative energy and energy policy in Germany, they still can't afford to air condition their trains (thank God in your prayers tonight for America's coal plants, I'll clarify later if you want). Thus Katie (who flew in on the 23rd) and I arrived in Fuessen Germany a bit hot and bothered. Two days later it was foggy and 50 degrees though, so we forgave Germany.
We saw the iconic castle, Neuschwanstein, (which means New Swan Stone) built by Ludwig the Mad. Swans were his favorite animal, and he also liked Lederhosen and Dark Beer, and looking at the Alps from his castle window. Anyway, Ludwig was assassinated by his psychiatrist in the middle of a Lake (for the good of the kingdom of Bavaria) but his castle remains one of the most famous in the world. All you Disney World people - does it look familiar?
May 28 , Glockenspiel and Mass
Glockenspiel - a large clock tower with dancing figures and bells (but no clock).
Mass - a large beer stein holding a whole liter of German Beer
Katie and I witnessed both of these large things in our trip to Munich. The glockenspiel takes 8 minutes and the Mass about an hour, but both leave you a little disoriented. For anyone seeking a cultural, historic, fun, clean, safe and beautiful city, visit Munich at least once in your life. It is a tie for my favorite city with London.
May 30 , Home in Hennef
And now we sit in the Kossmanns wonderful home, soon to play a rousing game of settlers of catan - a game I will bring home for us to all learn and enjoy together for hours of revelry and laughter. As captivating as four on a couch, brainy as Catch Phrase, and Strategic as Risk. Think about it.
To all our friends - we both miss you dearly. However I miss everyone about 11 days more than Katie does, if you were wondering.
To Texas - despite the great weather, I miss the Texas heat and swimming now and again.
To all those hitherto associating with squirrels, badgers or other animals - You may be drinking too much coffee and sitting too many hours in the dark corner of Starbucks with a raised eyebrow at all the animals. Be careful.
And to all who read this, Tschuess, Caio and Auf Wiedersehen.
With Love,
Thomas and Katie
May 20 , German Dance Lessons
At about 1 am in the student-club "Das Ding" ('The Thing') hanging out with my new friend Melanie on her birthday, and dancing next to my boy, Florian, to the Backstreet boys, I realized some cultural differences you should know about.
First, it is acceptable to dance by yourself in a corner even if you aren't waiting on your friend to get back from the bar. Second, a group of guys can still freak dance each other for a fifteen second gag as we (atleast I) used to do in high school. Third, if the music gets a little slow, it is acceptable to link arms with all your friends and sway back and forth in a circle. Fourth, if a rock song or another difficult-to-dance-to song is played, it is lots of fun to try and waltz to it!
May 25 , Hot Trains and Crazy Kings
Despite the great advances in alternative energy and energy policy in Germany, they still can't afford to air condition their trains (thank God in your prayers tonight for America's coal plants, I'll clarify later if you want). Thus Katie (who flew in on the 23rd) and I arrived in Fuessen Germany a bit hot and bothered. Two days later it was foggy and 50 degrees though, so we forgave Germany.
We saw the iconic castle, Neuschwanstein, (which means New Swan Stone) built by Ludwig the Mad. Swans were his favorite animal, and he also liked Lederhosen and Dark Beer, and looking at the Alps from his castle window. Anyway, Ludwig was assassinated by his psychiatrist in the middle of a Lake (for the good of the kingdom of Bavaria) but his castle remains one of the most famous in the world. All you Disney World people - does it look familiar?
May 28 , Glockenspiel and Mass
Glockenspiel - a large clock tower with dancing figures and bells (but no clock).
Mass - a large beer stein holding a whole liter of German Beer
Katie and I witnessed both of these large things in our trip to Munich. The glockenspiel takes 8 minutes and the Mass about an hour, but both leave you a little disoriented. For anyone seeking a cultural, historic, fun, clean, safe and beautiful city, visit Munich at least once in your life. It is a tie for my favorite city with London.
May 30 , Home in Hennef
And now we sit in the Kossmanns wonderful home, soon to play a rousing game of settlers of catan - a game I will bring home for us to all learn and enjoy together for hours of revelry and laughter. As captivating as four on a couch, brainy as Catch Phrase, and Strategic as Risk. Think about it.
To all our friends - we both miss you dearly. However I miss everyone about 11 days more than Katie does, if you were wondering.
To Texas - despite the great weather, I miss the Texas heat and swimming now and again.
To all those hitherto associating with squirrels, badgers or other animals - You may be drinking too much coffee and sitting too many hours in the dark corner of Starbucks with a raised eyebrow at all the animals. Be careful.
And to all who read this, Tschuess, Caio and Auf Wiedersehen.
With Love,
Thomas and Katie
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Another Texas Escapade
It is 5:34 PM in Fort Worth, Texas
It is my pleasure to return to our omnipresent blog. I just got back from camping with my dad at a place called Caprock Canyon. It is just another checkpoint on my mission to discover all things great about our oh so great state.
I decided about 3 months ago that I wanted to take a trip with my dad because I felt like I was coming to a place where I was really starting to appreciate everything my dad has done for me and I wanted to just hang out with him for a while and soak in more of his fatherly wisdom. So, after talking for about 3 hours this past Friday night, we decided to go a place called Caprock Canyon State Park in the panhandle of Texas. We figured it wouldn't be too crowded and it wouldn't be too far to drive, but the scenery would still be amazing. We were right.
We got there on Sunday morning and began our hike to our primitive campsite with a thunderstorm threatening. We started on our 7 mile hike around 4 PM. We had seen a little spot on the map about halfway down the trail called "FERN CAVE". My dad made some corny joke like "Man, Fern must have done something amazing to get this cave named after her..." I replied that maybe there were ferns in the cave. But after being sucked dry for about 2 hours and seeing nothing but cactus, red dirt, and mesquite trees, we figured there was no way in hell that there were anything even resembling ferns in a place whose annual rainfall is probably beat out by College Station's humidity on any given day. Sure enough though, as we approached the sign that said "Fern Cave", we could see different shade of green up ahead. We walked into what was really more of an overhang than a cave. The walls were covered in ferns hanging upside down and there was water dripping out of the walls. It was like we walked into a rainforest in the middle of the desert. I guess because we did. It was gnarly. We hung out there for a while and then hiked back to our campsite.
Another cool experience of the trip was the lightning. Every night when the sun went down, there was lightning on the horizon. You could barely ever hear any thunderor feel any rain , but there was always lightning. That was cool. I also almost stepped on a rattlesnake. I also almost fell off the roof about two weeks ago while cutting down a tree (that's kind of beside the point, but I thought y'all might like to know).
I could write more, but that would be too much. I just wanted to write about the Fern Cave because it was so weird. The trip was a great experience overall. I had a blast with my dad. We talked about tons of things. The topics included but were not limited to:
1. Switzerland
2. Psychic powers
3. The United States transportation system
4. Indians
5. Presidents
6. Spinal Tap
7. The effect of refrigerated air on South Texas lifestyle
8. Lobotomies
9. Human reflexes
10. Peanut, Canola, Vegatable, and Olive oil
11. Popcorn
12. A gravity-suspended, earth-circumventing bridge (thank you Thomas)
13. Dream analyzation
14. Space stations
15. Different cooking properties of Cedar vs. Mesquite wood
In all, it was an awesome experience. I am lucky to have a dad like I do, and I suggest to all of you out there to hang out with your parents a little more and learn as much as you can from them, because they really are interesting and know a lot more than we do. Until my next hospital visit,
Dave "an alive and kicking squirrel" Burkett
It is my pleasure to return to our omnipresent blog. I just got back from camping with my dad at a place called Caprock Canyon. It is just another checkpoint on my mission to discover all things great about our oh so great state.
I decided about 3 months ago that I wanted to take a trip with my dad because I felt like I was coming to a place where I was really starting to appreciate everything my dad has done for me and I wanted to just hang out with him for a while and soak in more of his fatherly wisdom. So, after talking for about 3 hours this past Friday night, we decided to go a place called Caprock Canyon State Park in the panhandle of Texas. We figured it wouldn't be too crowded and it wouldn't be too far to drive, but the scenery would still be amazing. We were right.
We got there on Sunday morning and began our hike to our primitive campsite with a thunderstorm threatening. We started on our 7 mile hike around 4 PM. We had seen a little spot on the map about halfway down the trail called "FERN CAVE". My dad made some corny joke like "Man, Fern must have done something amazing to get this cave named after her..." I replied that maybe there were ferns in the cave. But after being sucked dry for about 2 hours and seeing nothing but cactus, red dirt, and mesquite trees, we figured there was no way in hell that there were anything even resembling ferns in a place whose annual rainfall is probably beat out by College Station's humidity on any given day. Sure enough though, as we approached the sign that said "Fern Cave", we could see different shade of green up ahead. We walked into what was really more of an overhang than a cave. The walls were covered in ferns hanging upside down and there was water dripping out of the walls. It was like we walked into a rainforest in the middle of the desert. I guess because we did. It was gnarly. We hung out there for a while and then hiked back to our campsite.
Another cool experience of the trip was the lightning. Every night when the sun went down, there was lightning on the horizon. You could barely ever hear any thunderor feel any rain , but there was always lightning. That was cool. I also almost stepped on a rattlesnake. I also almost fell off the roof about two weeks ago while cutting down a tree (that's kind of beside the point, but I thought y'all might like to know).
I could write more, but that would be too much. I just wanted to write about the Fern Cave because it was so weird. The trip was a great experience overall. I had a blast with my dad. We talked about tons of things. The topics included but were not limited to:
1. Switzerland
2. Psychic powers
3. The United States transportation system
4. Indians
5. Presidents
6. Spinal Tap
7. The effect of refrigerated air on South Texas lifestyle
8. Lobotomies
9. Human reflexes
10. Peanut, Canola, Vegatable, and Olive oil
11. Popcorn
12. A gravity-suspended, earth-circumventing bridge (thank you Thomas)
13. Dream analyzation
14. Space stations
15. Different cooking properties of Cedar vs. Mesquite wood
In all, it was an awesome experience. I am lucky to have a dad like I do, and I suggest to all of you out there to hang out with your parents a little more and learn as much as you can from them, because they really are interesting and know a lot more than we do. Until my next hospital visit,
Dave "an alive and kicking squirrel" Burkett
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
A Heartbreaking Letter about Squirrels
It's 11:10 A.M. at The Bookstore.
The recent dearth of posting has been, at the very least, deplorable. "Execrable" may perhaps be more fitting, but I found "reprehensible" too kind for you villains. Indeed, each one of you is behaving like a gluttonous story-squirrel, burying away the chestnuts of narrative under the cold snows of selfishness. How am I to know, squirrel-friend, about the health of your whiskers? Or about the bushiness of your tail? For all I know, your respective trees have been logged and shredded, and you and your squirrel-family lie flattened on a highway, your once glossy fur now imprinted with the cruel treads of a tire. I can no longer stand the sense of abandonment. Therefore, I have decided to find new friends.
Looking around the bookstore, I see a myriad of options. First, there is Richard, who, like a wise and friendly badger, serves my coffee every morning with gentle questions and sound advice. Richard's flattop and his penchant for hearty fruits (he is always trying to sell me a fruit salad, which I occasionally buy) add to his badger-like appearance. Additionally, most of the badgers I have known allow me to write reviews for the books in their stores. Richard has kindly chosen to do the same, showing him a true badger. He is option #1.
My second candidate for friendship is a woman I shall call Luna, though I do not know her name. From time to time, Luna meets older, wealthy white women in the café and speaks Spanish to them for an hour or so. I assume that they are paying her for her services, though it is possible she is just extremely friendly. She is a lovely woman and says "¡muy bien!" so emphatically, and with such an encouraging warmth, that I have chosen to think of her as a golden retriever. Every thirty seconds or so, she must fetch the wayward sentences of these women and bring them back, clutched gently between her jaws to the mesa. She reminds me of someone I used to know, before the great blog-nut-fallout of 2009, but the name escapes me. She is option numero dos.
Another bookstore employee, Kathy, also promises potential. So often I have seen her fluttering about her corner of the store, taking frightened customers under her wing and gossiping loudly about the books she's read lately. This practice is made all the juicier by the area in which Kathy works: Romance Novels. The entire section is labeled "Kathy's Picks," because she has read every book, cover to glossy cover. Because of her rapid head-movements and feathered gray hair, Kathy reminds me most of a woodpecker. I have considered re-naming her section "Kathy's Pecks," but Richard has not yet granted me this measure of power. He will soon see reason. She is option # 3.
So, squirrel-friends, if any of you are indeed still alive, I would consider your advice regarding my new companions. They seem like lovely people, the lot of them, and I'm sure that once we start chatting about John Updike's recent demise, the conversation will keep flowing, like a stream of pecans from a nut-laden tree.
Post, or I'll Flatten You Myself,
-A.
* This excludes you, Smithy.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
21.25 Uhr auf Deutschland
Guten Tage Alles,
Ich bin jetzt sicher in Deutschland, und auch sehr muede. Jetzt schlafe ich.
Bis Morgen,
Thomas
Ich bin jetzt sicher in Deutschland, und auch sehr muede. Jetzt schlafe ich.
Bis Morgen,
Thomas
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
And then there was one.
11.31 am: Right where I should be.
Now that finals are done and summer has officially begun, it's time to ask my favorite question again: what time is it where you are? It seems like it has been a lot less than a year when we sat around arguing whether we should call this blog "The Peda-files" or "Home Keys on the Left Hand" or something to do with Pangea (possibly my personal favorite.) Either way, the year is over and here we are again. I know that some people, including myself, have the distinct privilege of being in school for an extra year but no matter how you look at it, this is the last year where things will be how we have known them to be.
After this year, people start heading off in their own directions, getting jobs, getting married, or just getting old. All three for some.
After this year we will look back and say: "Remember when we were in college?" "Remember when we used to have pizza parties just because we could?" "Remember the foam party?" "Remember doing nothing all the time and thinking we were stressed?"
After this year afternoon naps become a thing of the past. (Unless you work for Google or Zappos, that is.)
So this year let Facebook talk to itself, let the rest of the Internet suck someone else's soul, and give your TV a break. Instead, let's make this year the year we look back on when we are old.
And with this post, let the blogging begin.
aaron
Now that finals are done and summer has officially begun, it's time to ask my favorite question again: what time is it where you are? It seems like it has been a lot less than a year when we sat around arguing whether we should call this blog "The Peda-files" or "Home Keys on the Left Hand" or something to do with Pangea (possibly my personal favorite.) Either way, the year is over and here we are again. I know that some people, including myself, have the distinct privilege of being in school for an extra year but no matter how you look at it, this is the last year where things will be how we have known them to be.
After this year, people start heading off in their own directions, getting jobs, getting married, or just getting old. All three for some.
After this year we will look back and say: "Remember when we were in college?" "Remember when we used to have pizza parties just because we could?" "Remember the foam party?" "Remember doing nothing all the time and thinking we were stressed?"
After this year afternoon naps become a thing of the past. (Unless you work for Google or Zappos, that is.)
So this year let Facebook talk to itself, let the rest of the Internet suck someone else's soul, and give your TV a break. Instead, let's make this year the year we look back on when we are old.
And with this post, let the blogging begin.
aaron
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