Rothenburg and BRMC

Hello Everybody,

As my friend Brumley pointed out, I haven’t posted in a while and there is no real reason why I haven’t, so I won’t make one up.

The last couple of weeks have been quite busy. This is the first week L and I got to veg out. Let’s see…

Last week L’s coworkers from P-town were here for work. Sunday night a friend of ours cooked them dinner and then Monday night I cooked them dinner. It was quite fun cooking for them and having them over. I always realize how much I miss having conversations with people. Talking with Jean-Luc well, it’s always a one way street heading nowhere with Jean-Luc. He looks at me and is like, “Quoi! Je ne vous comprende pas.”

Thursday night one of L’s coworkers stayed at our house, so of course, I had to have him taste as many different beers as he could get down. Don’t worry, we still remembered our names in the morning.

Friday we drove to Rothenburg for a visit.

Here are some pictures of the trip.

Their city wall is way cooler than our city wall. what gives?

1034 or 1634?

we got caught making out.

I really like this building.

The Criminal Museum.

They had ways of making people talk back then…here are some pictures to get your imagination going.

L got caught for slander.

Their local church, which was built in 1501

The organ was later added in the 50’s

The following Saturday I took L and her coworker to the document center in Nuremberg and then walked around the rally grounds. That evening we had dinner with the Herzo Husband group, including wives.

Lastly Sunday afternoon, we had a pleasant lunch with our neighbors, Hans and Uli. Had our first deep-fried Karpfenn (carp), a local fish that is grown in the surrounding area. Fatty goodness, sort of like catfish.

And yesterday I got a call from the Gymnasium, 1. to tell me I had a job and 2. I was suppose to have started last week. So with that said, I now work at one of our local high schools and my first presentation or lecture was on generational and gender differences depicted in the film “The Graduate.” Baby boom VS. the 60’s. It went well. I wish I had a video camera, I enjoyed watching them debate over the actions of Mrs. Robinson.

Moving on…

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BRMC:

Album/beat the devils new tattoo = soundtrack to our life in Germany.

I’ve listened to the album (what’s on their myspace) three times as I was writing this blog and once again with my full attention for a small review.

Here it is…I have been converted. While A&S got me into Baby 81, I was never fully committed as a listener, until now. I may just have to go see them in Munich. I like the new drummer. She adds a lilt that wasn’t there before. Her singing, I’m not sold yet, but I do like it. As I do not have M. Anello’s word smith attributes for writing album reviews, I will try my best.

Half-state: really resonates with me, It feels like where we (or at least where I’m at) at the moment. Plus, she (the drummer) is laying down a sweet sweet groove…just listen.

The Toll: well they just say it all don’t they.

Mama Taught Me Better: Once again better drumming. This song is making me do some self-reflecting. Where’s my alter? Great song!

War Machine: naughty naughty…get the rock out baby 81, you just ain’t as proud.

Evol: Makes me want to dance in the streets of Herzo, screaming why can’t you be like me, where’s your love.

Shadow’s Keeper: OH yeah! their bass lines kick serious ass. The song is good, but drags a bit, but picks up just when I feel like changing the song. I’ll listen to this song again later, did I mention their bass lines kick ass.

Aya: Can people say, “John Bonham, when the levee breaks.” Plus his screaming a la Cobain stylie are sending me to a place that was forgotten when I left the beaches of Texas.

Beat the Devil’s Tattoo: I’ll never forsake the love you all have given. This song makes me love you all even more and when the beat kicks in with the singing…forget it!!!, I’m back in our car driving to Shelton with the crew. While it’s not a devil’s tattoo I’m after, it is the sweet embrace of family and friends we miss.

OK then, there is my review of the songs on BRMC’s myspace, I’m sure the other songs are great as well. I’ll buy the album if I go see them in Munich, or tomorrow, which ever comes first.

Miss you all,

M&L

Trapped in the land of HausMusik

Hello everybody,

Click on the play button before you begin reading to get the full impact of this read.

For the last week I’ve been playing this song in my head over and over and over. I’m starting to believe it’s because German clubbers have been sneaking into our house in the evening and slowly reprogramming me in my sleep.

Every morning it’s boom,boom, boom, boomboomboom, boom, boom in my head. I no longer have a missile in my head, but a constant dance party. I strongly believe David Guetta and Akon, have put subliminal messages into their song ala’ little mustache guy and then given it to the German youth to take over the world.

And I guessed heck, why not share this song with all my friends…you see what I mean, I can’t even stop myself as I write this…reprogrammed…help! Germans love this song and I believe people back home also love this song, because I remember hearing it during our visit.

Germany to my ears...

You walk down to the store and it’s boom, boom, boom,

You walk down to the bank and it’s boom, boom, boom.

I walk with L to work and it’s boom, boom, boom.

By the way this is the clean version of the song.

Miss ya,

M&L

To my Dad.

 

El Caballo

Dad, just in case you didn’t know,

I’ve learned so much from watching you,

Dad, just in case you didn’t know,

I did listen to every word,

Dad, just in case you didn’t know,

We’ve never drifted apart,

And every lesson has been saved in my heart.

 

Dad, just in case you didn’t know,

I’ve always looked up to you,

Dad, just in case you didn’t know,

You did help when I was down,

Dad, just in case you didn’t know,

Your silent wisdom ways,

Will be a part of me until my ending days.

 

Dad, just in case you didn’t know,

I think about you often,

Dad, just in case you didn’t know,

I think about you often,

Dad, just in case you didn’t know,

I love you.

 

Happy Birthday Dad

love,

-Jr.

Vive le Vin

Hello Everybody,

L and I experienced our first French wine fair this weekend. A group of six of us traveled to Strasbourg early Saturday morning to arrive to the chaos that was the “Salons des Vins Vignerons Indépendants” or Exhibition of Independent Wine Vineyards. We stayed Saturday evening for some French cuisine and picked up our purchases the following Sunday and returned home.

I believe France has 11 regions where they grow their wines and while it would have been great to taste each and every one of the wines from said regions, we focused on the Bourgogne-Beaujolais Region. This is the region where the French grow their Burgundy wines or Pinot Noir.

Having lived all her life in one of the best places to make Pinot Noir (Oregon), L figured we’d focus on what we’re familiar with (Pinots) and branch out from there, but where to start.

Of the 100+ Burgundy vineyards that were present at the fair, I researched 15 and while all were good, there were two that really stood out above the rest. So if one does the math, 14 to 16 out of 120 wines are good (according to me) and there were 560 different wine vineyard represented from 11 regions of France, and all the Cognac and Pineau. With that said, it's way to much wine for the liver to take and the palate to taste in 7 hours, plus we only made it 30 minutes before one of our crew members was toast.

Of course we did manage to find some excellent Pinot Noirs for super prices. What’s also great about the fair is, one can get to meet the winemakers and if they speak English or Spanish (German too, but my German’s not so good), you can talk about their wines. We had a great time and I learned quite a bit about French Burgundy wines. L and I both agree that the burgundy wines from the Volnay area of Bourgogne are something special and should be tried. If you happen to stumble upon one at your local wine shop, don’t be shy.

Well here are some pictures of the trip, enjoy

Here’s L thinking, “What the heck?”

“The Great Hall of Winos!”

Foie Gras sandwich anyone…what? Had one for the first time, quite yummy.

Remember when I said one of our crew was toast with-in 30 minutes of our arrival, well here he is (left of picture) trying to get some more Armagnac. Even though the vendor looks annoyed, he actually liked talking to us about all the subtle flavors of his Cognac and kept on pouring. L and I bought a bottle of Pineau, which is made from Cognac, the flavor is sweet and has an awesome pecan aftertaste.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Strasbourg in the evening

Can everyone see the kitty?

Their local cathedral.

The city had some amazing buildings.

Here’s what we brought home. I know…all from the Bourgogne Region, but there will be more wine fairs and next in line will be the BORDELAIS-AQUITAINE region, where many of Cote de blahblahblah come from, but I hear you need a big wallet for these wines…we’ll see.

until next time…

we miss ya,

M&L

3 hours for wine glasses

 

Hello everybody,

Sorry about being M.A.L. (missing and lazy).  Well not completely lazy, L and I visited Prague yesterday (2/8/10).  A quick day trip to look for wine glasses and a walk around the city.

Yup, all the way to Prague for wine glasses.  An acquaintance of ours broke several of his wine glasses, which he purchased in Prague, and wanted to replace them with the same make and model.  Thus, began our trip to find his wine glasses.  Oh yeah he’s also 6’4” and walks at a pace of a slow jogger.  And having been in good ol’ P’town recently packing on the weight, we were in for quite a work out.  It was like sightseeing for the speed walking enthusiast…it was quite fun, plus it was 23 degrees F. 

Here are some pictures.

Trying to find parking

 

 

One of the clock towers.

 

 

 

City Center or Square

 

 

You Know these two.

 

 

 

Getting a feel for the people.

 

Approaching St.Charles Bridge

 

A view of the St. Charles bridge with the city castle in the background.

 

St. Charles…quick make a wish!

Leaving Prague…I like the ladies in the mink.

 

After some chow, sightseeing and hunting for the wine glasses we headed back to the village.  We’re definitely going back for a longer visit.  

love,

M&L