Snap Judgments for the Undeserving

Happy Valentines Day (a little late)

2008-02-15T00:19:00.001-05:00

This has nothing to do with Valentines day ... I just ... I .... words cannot describe it:

And now for something completely different...

2008-01-10T16:19:00.001-05:00

For all those keeping track, I haven't been around in a long long while. You see, I was foolishly captivated by travel, and family, and 14 hour long Battlestar Galactica marathons.

But no more! I am back!! And to celebrate, you should all read this hilarious article about the deplorableness of the shrinking size of ladies' underwear ('Pants' to the British). Not that this article necessarily embodies my opinion on the stuff, but it is a highly amusing look at the shrinking size of the ladies' knickers.

This made me cry at the office:
'In other words, to break this right down, how many times this year have you suddenly, unexpectedly, had sex in a brightly lit room, with a hard-to-please erotic connoisseur? Exactly. On those kind of odds, you might just as well be keeping a backgammon board down there, to entertain a group of elderly ladies in the event of emergencies. It’s more likely to happen.'

The Golden Compass

2007-11-21T13:16:00.000-05:00

I'm sure many of you have read the fabulous Phillip Pullman 'His Dark Materials' Trilogy, about two children who change the destiny of the universe. And likewise, I'm sure lots of you know that the first book, The Golden Compass, will be released as a major motion picture on December 7th (wooo!).

This movie, I've recently discovered, has a very shiny website though which you can reveal your own personal Daemon*!

Help my Daemon choose it's correct form before it settles by clicking on the box below and answering some questions about me!

*If you haven't read the books - the 'Daemon' is an external embodiment of the soul in the form of an animal, which all humans posses in one of the alternate universes that Phillip Pullman creates.

**If the pretty box above does not work, you can also link to my Daemon's profile here

Life should be more like Star Trek - part 5

2007-11-01T08:53:00.000-05:00

Given how long my little 'Star Trek is coming' rant has held up, it seems evident that soon life will actually BE Star Trek. I'm thinking now all we have to do is pick characters. Personally, right now I'm leaning towards McCoy. I'm already pretty neurotic, and I'll just have to take to saying things like: My GOD man, I'm an Art Historian, not a magician!

But in all seriousness, our govenment has recently developed a cloaking device that actually seems to work. You all know what this means: we now have the technology to cloak our Romulan warbird. Of course, now all we need is a Romulan warbird.....

Unless we already have one, and it is cloaked. Oooooooh, that would be sneaky. I like it.

Seen one of these around lately?

Where have I been?

2007-10-23T13:11:00.001-05:00

I have not posted in a while. I don't have a very good excuse for this: 'New Job'* and 'West Coast Swing Dance Conferences'** are a bit thin and pathetic (but true).

So, instead, I shall distract you with Theeees:

As the all-knowing CuteOverload webmaster says:
JOKEPOTENCHTOOOVERWHELMINGOMG!

*No, I'm not going to tell you where I work on the internets, I like my job.
**What (totally kick ass) West Coast Swing Conferences, you ask? This one and this one!!

For those of you playing the "What the heck is West Coast Swing" game - watch this video - it is awesome:

OMG...

2007-10-08T23:53:00.000-05:00

Is this website aimed directly at my demographic or what? Does this render me helpless to their advertising? Should I be wearing some kind of tin-foil helmet just in case?!?

Freaky.

Cuteness on the Interwebs!

2007-10-06T09:12:00.000-05:00

Question: do you frequently find yourself thinking that a daily dose of Cute Overload just isn't enough anymore?

Okay, I'm cheating, the answer to that question is implicit (and yes, this does mean that we all have serious mental-health problems). The question really is: do you want to live a normal, cute-free life, or do you want to become a hardened cuteness addict?

Okay okay, I'm still cheating. Just go to I can has Cheezburger, okay?

Wheeee!

Evil overlord in training

2007-10-04T08:20:00.001-05:00

For those of you with this particuliar ambition, I thought I would pass along these 'Rules for Being an Evil Overlord,' which may come in very handy. These have been veted by Amy who, as you all know, has been highly successful with her own nefarious dictatorial scheme in Canada.

Here's the kind of advice you can expect:

1. My Legions of Terror will have helmets with clear plexiglass visors, not face-concealing ones.
2. My ventilation ducts will be too small to crawl through.
3. My noble half-brother whose throne I usurped will be killed, not kept anonymously imprisoned in a forgotten cell of my dungeon.

Do you all realize that this person has probably seen as many movies as I have? Scary...

Hint hint ...

2007-09-28T10:47:00.000-05:00

Marie Antoinette's Pearls are coming up for auction this December. Just in time for the holidays. I'm just saying...

So very shiny!

Stop! Taser Time

2007-09-25T00:05:00.001-05:00

As you all know, my blog is usually apolotical, and I think this still falls into that category. Frankly, I assume you've all already seen this, but just in case, here you go.

(My favorite part, which shows what a terrible human being I am, is the tragic yelping in lieu of part of the melody. I cried)

Thanks to Davin for bringing this to my attention. Complaints about my insensitivity may be directed to him

My mission to Mars just got a lot more fashionable!

2007-09-19T05:54:00.000-05:00

As many of you may know, one of the few obstacles holding me back from volunteering for the inevitable Mars mission has been the complete fashion disaster that is the current space suit (other notable factors include, of course, the lack of high speed internet and an inconsistant supply of diet coke).

However, given current trends, I may be saying 'Bon Voyage a la Terre' sooner that I ever imagined. Yes, that's right, space suits are hot* now!

Ze new Biosuit!

*Or if not 'hot' at least 'less hideous' and that's all a girl is asking for really...

Gently making fun of the famous...

2007-09-10T10:35:00.000-05:00

The Manolo (shoe blogger extraordinaire, if you haven't read him, you should) now brings us celebrity gossip that I can get behind. I don't actually want that much information about these poor celebrities, I just need need hilarity, and that can be found now at Ayyyy!!!.

An example from this week:
"Now is the time on Full House when we Dance!!"

Awesome, yes no?

Emma, Jesus. Jesus, Emma.

2007-09-05T09:58:00.000-05:00

This past weekend someone has (yet again) entrusted the spiritual growth of their child to my care. Seriously, what are these people thinking? Have they met me?!? I believe a simple statement paraphrases my feelings on the occasion: Mwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!

Emma, my new Goddaughter, meeting the big J.C.

To commemorate the occasion, cake was in order.
(This cake was actually three times the size of the baby, as dictated by Catholic Cannon Law)

Sooooo ... any suggestions as to how I should handle my new responsibility?!? Hmmmm, on second thought, I'm sure I'll think of plenty of ways to warp her myself. Let the nerdening begin...

Dude, fear the Minstrel...

2007-07-31T10:15:00.001-05:00

It is truly tragic, the fate of youth these days...

Sure we sang a few Latin ditties in my day, tied a few bells to our shoes, it was all innocent fun, you know? But I think I should make it clear that I've never touched a Lute. No really. I swear. Okay maybe once, but I didn't pluck.

You must all . . .

2007-07-19T20:07:00.000-05:00

... read THIS!!

Kat and Annie, the heroines of Gunnerkrigg Court ...
(okay okay, it's mostly Annie ... but I like Kat)

Ze Results!

2007-07-08T11:53:00.000-05:00

Here are the results for the "new 7 wonders" vote that ended on friday...

I'm trying hard to be excited

I know this is embarassing ... but now I kinda want to go to Petra. Le sigh.

Only 9 hours left....

2007-07-06T08:20:00.000-05:00

... to vote for the "New 7 Wonders" of the world.

Oh yes, right now, as we speak, there is world-wide voting as to which of several selected sites will become the new 7 wonders of the world. If you get there in time, you may vote also, only be sure to give them your spam email account.

Frankly, I'm not sure how legit this is, but an actual news person reported on it. I get the impression from the "New 7 Wonders" website that they are just a fancy travel agency started by a guy named Bernard Weber (described as a "Swiss adventurer," whatever that means) trying to get attention for themselves. But maybe not, maybe this is a actually beautiful moment of history in which people from around the world bond together to create a fabric of cultural consciousness in which we may all share and take pride.

But in any case ... I voted for the Acropolis, neener neener!!

Drippy Word Art at the Museum Hotel, Louisville

2007-06-28T10:21:00.001-05:00

I visited the Museum Hotel a while ago, but just ran across the video I took while organizing my files (Yes, yes, I know, but I have a lot of free time lately).

Can someone make me this? I think all I need is a big room with two white walls, and lots of really expensive and fancy technological equipment, as well as someone who wants to write me a program and set it all up?!? Am I wrong?

Gratuitous baby photos!!!

2007-06-16T13:12:00.000-05:00

As soon as I got back to the US I had to visit my new little niece in St. Paul, Minnesota. I can now confirm that the reports from the States have all been true, Emma is the Cutest ... baby ... ever...

Mom and baby ...

Bathtime always increases the cuteness factor

She's not sure about me yet...

This is the look we get sometimes, you can just hear her thinking:
"Are you people qualified to do this? I need to see some credentials!"

Farewell Europa (Athina, Greece)!

2007-06-05T08:10:00.001-05:00

The last stop on our tour of Greece was Athens, home of Katie's fore-fathers. Literally. Here's what's great at the end of a long trip - having a family member around to take care of you and feed you fabulous food.

Athens was a great city, and reminded Katie and I of New York. Except for that whole "Acropolis" thing. We don't have huge 2000 year old monuments to our ancient culture cropping up in the middle of cities over in our part of the New World.

The view of the Acropolis from the Temple of Zeus

Katie and I made our pilgrimage to the Acropolis, which was impressive, and yet under construction. How can a ruin be under construction, you ask? Why would someone even concieve of such an idea?!? I have no clue, except to say that perhaps too much history makes a culture a bit batty ;)

Katie and I in front of the Parthenon!

My favorite building on the Acropolis, the Erecthion (pretty Karyatids!)

The modern city of Athens clearly sprung up around the ancient and medieval Greecian cities. One of my favorite parts of walking through the city is that one is very likely to come upon the following around every busy cosmpolitan corner:

Lurking Medeival Churches:

Katie's Father graciously acted as our host for the few days that we were in Athens. This meant that we got to meet all of his crazy (and wonderful) family and friends.

Dinner with Katie, her father and friends

Alas, after our fabulous tour of Greece, I made it back to Italy for only 3 days, and then I was America bound. Farewell beautiful Europa, my heart grows heavy, my soul longs to hear your siren song once more. Until that time, though, I'm really going to enjoy the plumbing advancements and ethnic food selection of my native land!

Delphi, Greece

2007-05-29T00:32:00.000-05:00

After jet-setting around the Pelaponnesse, Katie and I headed to the Mountains to visit the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, site of the famous ancient oracle. The Sanctuary is beautifully situated against three peaks of a mountian ridge, very impressive especially in an earthquake zone.

The Sanctuary of Apollo
(Also, the center of the world, according to some)

This is one old Olive tree!

The stadium, at the top of the mountain, is amazing and has very few other tourists.

Katie and I did lots of illegal things in Delphi, including, but not limited to, hopping fences, crawling through tunnels, and 'posing' with ancient artifacts (yes, that's illegal in Greece, I am not making this up).

Katie finds the secret tunnel of the Pythia leading under the Temple of Apollo?!?

Finding the entrance to the tunnel, we had to explore it!
(sadly, the sections under the temple have collapsed, so no hallucinogenic fumes inducing visions for us, major bummer)

Epidaurus, Mycenae, and Corinth, Greece

2007-05-29T00:15:00.000-05:00

Katie and I visited ex-cities galore on the Pelaponnesse. The first that we saw, Epidaurus, was the site of the healing sanctuary of Asclepius, a god who came to you in your dreams and told you how to heal your illnesses. He also liked snakes. Creepy, but that’s how he rolled.

Also they had theater!

Nothing puts me in the mood for a musical like a wasting disease!

We found the sacred well (despite lack of signage), Fun!

The next city that we visited, Mycenae, was even older, and situated between two enormous mountains. Not a location that I’d like to siege.

The ominous clouds make the city even more forboding!
Katie and I stand at the massive Lion’s Gate, the entrance to the city

It’s Agamemmnon’s Father’s Tomb
(fun on the inside where it is shaped like a bee-hive with interesting acoustic properties)

And obviously, no ancient city would be complete without a secret cistern, accessed through a long, treacherous, winding tunnel, carved into the very living rock, and plunged into complete darkness. Clearly we had to explore this.

In the following picture, you can see Katie gripping the tool that we used the most on our trip, a tiny Swiss Army knife (given to my by the lovely Recebba) equipped with a small led light. It is somewhat surprising how much that particular feature of the knife was used on our trip.

The Secret Cistern …wooooooo!

Finally, we visited Corinth, which was a very hopping town approx. 2000 years ago. In fact, St. Paul was scandalized by the wild and crazy behavior and wrote them several strongly worded letters. My kind of town.

The oldest temple still extant in Greece
This view over the north side of town includes the Pyriene fountain.
It it quite elaborate. Romans = very into drainage.

Next, Katie and I make it to Delphi to crawl around under temples looking for Oracular Chasms (in the words of my Blue Guide, anway)!

Napflios, Greece

2007-05-28T10:17:00.000-05:00

Katie and I made it to Greece!

The view of the islands from the boat is worth the sketchy ferry ride*:

Once in Greece we headed south on the Peloponnesse, and stayed in the little resort town of Napflios. We explored the ancient sites from here, but the town itself was fantastic and worth seeing all on it's own!

The center square, pretty cute!

And the walk along the harbour was breathtaking
... and occasionally covered in cactus (not pictured, too strange)

I've never seen water this clear and happy in a port town ... these are genuine sea urchins!!

Napflios was also great because it wasn't crowded with tourists, and when it was, they were all Greek anyway.

The town has lots of local color: Katie and I stumbled upon this totally inexplicable religious festival with band and military dignitaries in the middle of the morning. Later that evening, we came upon it again, this time in the form of a procession, with at least a dozen priests parading an enormous Icon through the streets and chanting. The band was still there. Seriously cool people.

The band and military in front of the church ... why?

A procession, we assume related, in the middle of the evening.

We followed it all the way to a church located by our hotel, and found out later that they do this every year with the Icon of St. Constantine and Helen on St. Constantine's day.

I took a video of some of the event ... what was most astounding was that the entire town seemed to be there. My video of the late-night religious procession.

*actually, the ferry itself was strangely like a cruise experience, only filled with creepy Greek stewards who wanted us to overpay for our tickets for no reason.

Strange foreign signs, season 3, part 2.

2007-05-28T03:46:00.001-05:00

The Italians have a serious over-signage problem.

How many do we need here, people?!?

I have to say, at this point
I'm sort of numbed by the overwhelming danger ...

Sort of makes one want to play with explosives while blindfolded, does it not?

Pisa, Lucca and Firenze, Italia

2007-05-28T03:01:00.000-05:00

As promised, here is the first installment of Katie and my fabulous tour across Italy and Greece. Due to primitive internet conditions in Greece, I'm posting this from back in Rome, so this is going to come sort of all at once. So, um, prepare yourselves.

Katie and I ... fresh-faced before our epic 10 day tour of 11 cities* in 2 countries. Fun!

First Kate and I set out to conquer central Italy, and I did what I thought I would never do: I visited the leaning tower of Pisa. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am that Tourist.

The Cathedral, Baptistry and Tower complex is actually sort of pretty ... very surprising.

I apologize in advance, but we had to take this picture ... enjoy:

After 3 hours in Pisa we'd pretty much exhausted the sights, so we moved to the charming town of Lucca, where the Pisan romanesque style of Churches is more tastefully displayed.

The Cathedral of Lucca ... pretty and not choked with tourists.

I trace the pilgrim's maze on the Cathedral porch

Finally, we stopped in Florence, because I couldn't in good conscience not take Katie to Florence when it was so close.

Ze Doumo

I talked Katie out of waiting in line for 3 hours to see the real one, and we went to the Ufizzi instead ... I'm a smooth operator.

After a brief and uninspiring stay in Bari (nice churches, skeezy guys) Katie and I embarked on the ship to Patras, Greece, a 14 hours cruise through the Adriatic (mostly at night, I'm happy to say).

I'm so nautical

Next, our whirl-wind tour through Greece!

*Okay, I'm counting some ruins as "Cities". Maybe I should have said 7 Cities and 4 ex-Cities, but I think that's a bit over-wrought, don't you?

Baby Emma

2007-05-14T02:08:00.000-05:00

We interrupt this regularly scheduled travel blog to bring you a big news update from the New World: Davin and Katie welcomed a daughter Sunday morning!!

Emma Elise Fischer
Born 6:46 am, May 13th 2007

What cute tootsies!!

I'm an aunt now, let the warping begin .... Mwahahahahahaha

Weddings in Roma!

2007-05-13T03:12:00.000-05:00

And I say 'weddings' because there were several.

Oh yes, the lovely Amelia and the lucky Matt were married in Rome this past week. As you all no doubt remember from the recent Tomkat affair, Italian weddings can and do occur in several stages. In this case the (hilarious) civil ceremony took place on Wednesday, and the wedding itself on Friday. In short, there were many many parties, and a fabulous time was had by all.

Matt and Amelia after the civil ceremony
(I'm thinking of extending my services to wedding photography, mwahahahaha!)

As uninitiated Americans, the small group that attended the civil ceremony had no idea what we were getting into. It turned out to involve a room, full of magistrates, decorated with plush red carpeting, gold-leafed baroque furniture, and a sound system playing a terrible version of 'greensleeves' in the background

Here Matt and Amelia await the commencement of the ceremony
(Greg, off in the corner, tries not to laugh)

The ceremony was presided over by the mayor's aide, some police officers, and a guy with niftly tassles on his coat. They read Italian divorce law to us (in Italian), and then signed the marriage certificate and gave Amelia a bunch of plastic wrapped orchids. We, the thunderstruck audience, could barely contain ourselves.

The Poo-bah and his entourage

Freed from the confines of the Magistrates office, the wedding party is too cool for school.

The church wedding followed this Friday, and was celebrated with far more pomp, if less official helmets. The Mass took place at St. Paul's Within the Walls, where Amelia's Grandparents had been married in 1946.

The Bride and Groom cut the cake
(Italian wedding cakes have FIRE. Seriously cool people)

The Bride, Groom and the Groom's family
At the fabulous reception at the Hotel Quirinale

The Bride and her Posse ... Ambre and I have genuine Italian Hair.

The Georgetown Crew ... always the coolest table at the wedding reception

Firenze, Italia

2007-05-05T11:28:00.000-05:00

This week I took a quick trip up to Florence, accompanied by Amelia and Matt, to visit Kristin (yet another Georgetown girl in Europe! Seriously, is there any question as to why we are so fabulous?). We only spent two days in the city, which is not enough, as Florence is as lovely as ever.

We climbed the Duomo, which is my favorite thing to do in Florence!
(if you don't count gazing raptly at shiny art)

Here are Meels and Matt inside the awesome double dome engineered by Brunelleschi

After my little pilgrimage up the dome, we took a long walk around the city, taking in many of the beautiful Renaissance churches.

Meels and Matt try to avoid the scrutinizing gaze of an enormous Dante just outside of Santa Croce

Kristin, our fabulous host, took us out to an amazing restaurant called "il Gatto e Volpe" where we consumed mass quanities of pasta and Amelia ate steak covered in balsamic vinegar, which was delicious.

Kristin and Amelia, before dinner.

The next day was spent wandering around the rest of Florence that had been neglected the day before, before we had to head back to Roma.

A very wind-swept me, on the Ponte Vecchio, over looking the Uffizi Gallery

The inside of the Bapistry, which is decorated with 13th century Mosaics, and I have been waiting to see for years. Very very shiny!

Pompeii and Napoli, Italia

2007-05-02T11:55:00.000-05:00

I've started taking advantage of Rome's central location in Italy, and took my first day trip the other day! My destination was Pompeii, by way of Naples, as I've wanted to visit the ruins since I was a small child (yes, that does mean that I was a strange, strange child, are you really that surprised?).

Pompeii was utterly amazing, and I saw it in the rain, which meant that it wasn't swamped with droves of tourists.

The Forum, with a view towards the Temple of Jupiter and Mount Vesuvius

When one tours Pompeii, the park operators give on the option of an audio tour, which I took for simplicity’s sake. It was great, mostly because it would switch from perky British matter-of-fact narration, to dramatic music and a deep voice saying “VESUVIUS” whenever they talked about the eruption. They also really enjoyed quoting Pliny the Younger with over-wrought flair. For example:

Meanwhile on Mount Vesuvius broad sheets of fire and leaping flames blazed at several points, their bright glare emphasized by the darkness of night. My uncle (Pliny the Elder, as it turns out) tried to allay the fears of his companions by repeatedly declaring that these were nothing but bonfires left by the peasants in their terror, or else empty houses on fire in the districts they had abandoned.

See? And a fun time was had by all...

The buildings can be very much still intact, such as this villa:

Here I am, enjoying an interesting temple:

Here is a far, far more unfortunate inhabitant of Pompeii:
(Actually, it is a plaster cast of the holes in the ashes that were formed when the buried inhabitants died and decomposed ... fun)

The city was beautiful in the rain:

Art historically speaking, Pompeii is also kick-ass.
Here are some very important frescos depicting part of a Bacchic rite, found in the so-called "Villa of Mysteries". It was very shiny.

After leaving Pompeii, I had an evening to spend in Napoli as I awaited my train. I found the city to be very overwhelming, with crowded streets teaming with life. It was also a bit dirty, to be honest, and I'm not sure it's my favorite place, although being there for only 3 hours perhaps I should give the city the benefit of the doubt.

The streets of the oldest part of town are narrow and busy!

I went to see the Cathedral, which sports a 4th century Baptistery!

The baptistery is decorated with Mosaics ... which can't be 4th century ... can they?!?

Now ... on to Florence!!

Roma, Italia

2007-04-28T06:49:00.000-05:00

Here I am in glorious Roma! This city will be my base of operations for the next month or so, as I help Amelia with her wedding, and later travel around with Katie (both Georgetown girls, by the way, cleary we are a cosmopolitan bunch).

I've been taking my time, and slowly exploring the city, saving my characteristic mad rushes through urban centers for the surrounding towns.

Ah Roma! It's so full of ... old stuff.
Here I am spending an afternoon exploring the Forum:

The Pantheon is still one of my favorite monuments...

I've had lots of time to explore the charming tiny streets and beautiful churches of Trastevere...

Santa Maria in Trastevere has kick-ass 12th century mosaics:

And the place is just brimming with this kind of thing:
(please note: I did not pay these people to do this, Rome just makes everything romantic).

My extended stay in Rome is being made possible by the hospitality of the fabulous Amelia and her fiance, Matt (who clearly didn't know what he was getting into), who are having me to stay with them in their Posh Roman digs through their wedding this May.

Amelia poses before the excavated ruins at Largo Argentina (incidentally, also our tram stop).

Over a fabulous dinner of hand-made gnocci in thier marble-tiled apartment, Amelia and Matt try to kill me with cuteness:

Salisbury and Stonehenge, United Kingdom

2007-04-27T14:06:00.000-05:00

Having exhausted myself wandering the streets of London, I decided to try the same thing in nearby Salisbury for a change. The town was charming, and the Cathedral for which it is famous was suitably impressive.

Cuteness abounds in the intact Cathedral Close:
(I think the tangled wisteria just pushes this little vingette right over the top)

Makes one want to learn about Early English Gothic, yes no?

The attached cloister:

I'm very into vaulting these days ... look how happy I am!

Okay, okay, I confess: I came out here for Stonehenge and invented a plausible Medieval excuse to see it. Sue me. For more information about Stonehenge and how and why it was created, please view this Eddie Izzard sketch.*

Cue the mysterious New Agey music and the smoke machines...

This is me, before I donned my long druidic robes and processed around chanting proto-Celtic exortations to the Gods of the heavenly spheres.
(They didn't allow pictures of that part of the tour, sadly)

Stoney!!

*In reference to Eddie's comments, it turns out there really WAS a woodhenge, built at the same site about 1000 years before all the stones were dragged there and set up. Weird.

Strange foreign signs, season 3, part 1.

2007-04-26T13:55:00.000-05:00

London, England

Isn't this a bit esoteric ... even for the British?

London, United Kingdom

2007-04-25T13:44:00.000-05:00

Here I am in Britannia! Due to an issue with a "free" international ticket that I was awarded by an airline that will remain nameless, the only flights into Europe I could find this spring were through London. Tragically, this means that I have to stay here for a few days and frolic, uh, I mean cry.

As I'm sure you've all surmised, I've spent most of my time here thus far going from museum to museum. It's been lovely weather, too, so my walks between said museums have been very pleasant.

The National Gallery makes me happy

The British Museum is also fantastic
The Parthenon frieze has always been my favorite part

Of course, Viking stuff is always nifty and shiny

And, of course, the V and A exists to shower me with 14th century French Ivories

I also took a peak into Westminster Abbey, which I had not explored the last time I was in London

They wouldn't let me take pictures of the inside cluttered with tombs ... stinkers.

And, never fear, I also took time to gaze at over-priced designer handbags and buy delicious food at Harrod's

Yummy

Bon Voyage!

2007-04-24T01:47:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again ... time for Anna to use "knowledge" and "education" as thinly veiled excuses to go off to parts unknown for long periods of time. My participation in the lovely Amelia's wedding in Rome this May lends my European excursions this summer a bit more of a veneer of legitimacy, and that's all I was hoping for, really.

As the immortal Mr. Bennet would say "On pleasure bent again..."

What's that on the horizon!?!
Adventure?? Intrigue?? Horrible airport snafus just waiting to happen!?!?!?

When Medievalists Convene

2007-04-21T21:33:00.000-05:00

Last week I attended the Medieval Academy of America conference, at ye olde alma mater, the University of Toronto. My friend, the fabulous Amelia, jetted all the way from Rome to make an appearance. I heard many very interesting talks (Gerald of Wales was HOT, ask anyone), and met lots of famous (to me) people, but above all I gleaned two things:

1. The talks would have been more amusing to me if I understood the 'funny' quips in medieval latin so frequently bandied about

2. Beware of getting in front of people at the refreshment tables ... free food is a rare commodity in our field and people get fiesty

Me, Andy Orchard, and Amelia livin' it up:

My Birthday is coming up...

2007-03-24T21:28:00.000-05:00

Just in case everyone was not aware, my birthday is coming up. It's on Easter this year, and ever since at the age of 7, when I discovered that this could happen and consulted an ecumenical calendar to see when it would actually happen, I have been looking forward to this.

As I've been waiting for roughly 20 years, it's probably going to be a letdown (I get less and less chocolate as the years go by, which my 7 year old self did not foresee). However, I've found a way for everyone to make it special for me. I've discovered something I really really REALLY want:

My very own Space Adventure would only cost $100,000!!!

Can I have a Sub-orbital space flight? Just a teeny tiny one? Pretty pretty please? With sugar on top?? I'll even wait until they actually develop the technology to do this stuff!!

Davinport gets married!!

2007-02-26T11:01:00.000-05:00

Oh yes, in a startling turn of events the universe has bent around us and Davin, the Snapbro, confirmed bachelor and politico extraordinaire, has found a nice, pretty girl who wanted to marry him. No seriously. It happened. I have pictures.

The event took place a couple of weeks ago, and a fabulous time was had by all.

The happy couple ... and a bunch of Georgetown people
(no, I don't have a better picture, you'll have to see the professional pictures, info at the bottom of the page)

Dad, giving (apparently terrible) directions to Glen:

I was a bridesmaid ... it seems I was very excited about this

The Walther women (my 2 aunts, mom, and cousin) breakin' it down!

A la Amy and Greg's wedding, here's where we all do the electric slide to "Sweet Caroline" and blow the band's mind:
(The band, The Mr. Lucky Swing Syndicate, was fantastic!)

Becky, Greg and I scooby around to what I assume must have been "Secret Agent Man"
Amy, although present, was wise enough to abstain.

For more, and better, pictures of this event please visit Picture my Wedding Online
The wedding code is: KWDF020907
Or you can type the last name: wermers/fischer

Copper Chef III: Revenge of Wisconsin

2007-02-05T11:13:00.000-05:00

To celebrate my return to the great tundra wasteland ... uh, I mean, delightful winter slopes of Wisconsin, a Copper Chef cooking competition was clearly in order!! The theme, appropriately enough, was 'Wisconsin'

Items from the homeland - or at least, that remind us of the homeland

(I guess soy nuts make Amy think of Wisconsin .... go figure)

Team J (yes, Jeff is our mascot) deliberates

This competition raised many deeply profound and esoteric questions such as:

How many items can you deep fry in 1 hour?

How many Posts at the cooktop until a fire breaks out??

And perhaps must importantly...

What would Alton do???

Also there was some cuteness:

Eeeeeeeep!!!

In the end many yummy things were created...

Team 'Deep Fry' presents:

The Results:

Due to an incident of election fraud, no winner could be declared (*cough* team 'J' *cough*), but I'm pretty sure that team Dumbledor's Army's maple leaf shaped summer sausage garnish will be etched permentantly onto our retinas. Also, team Deep Fry is welcome to visit me any time :)

Drat foiled again!!

2007-01-15T23:37:00.000-05:00

Well, I suppose the game is up. I know I haven't been posting lately, but I assumed you all would just let it slide, I never imagined that the Intern would have the resources to find me on my well-earned vacation at the fabulous Underwater-Abyss-Hotel-for-the-Super-Rich in Dubai.

I had a room in the huge fin:

Okay okay ... obviously I'm making that up (or am I?). But I have been busy! I went down to New Orleans and Kentucky for the Holidays, and soon after Amy and Greg got Married!!

Yes, yes, we're all thinking, "how'd he land that hot chick?"

Now I just have to get through one more academic paper, a conference, and two more weddings and then perhaps my life will return to some semblence of normal (but I doubt it)

Happy Holidays

2006-12-22T08:23:00.000-05:00

Nothing says "Holiday Cheer" like a Pimped out Nutcracker.

This is my verion ... I think the do-rag is smokin':

In case you were wondering, this is too fabulous to have been found by me ... it was discovered by the ever resourceful John, for whom we now have great respect. Thank you for making the Holidays just that much more classy.

Farewell Canadia!!

2006-12-16T11:31:00.000-05:00

It is true, aside from a brief jaunt I'll be making back to the old Tdot in January, I'm officially back in the States!

There's so much about Toronto that I will miss, my wonderful friends, the fabulous food, Robarts Library ... But most of all, I find I will miss the ubiquitous maple leaf that one finds emblazoned on the signage for all international chains.

Just in case you thought it was a (shudder) Un-Canadian Blockbuster...

Christmas at Hogwarts

2006-12-02T17:47:00.000-05:00

... well almost. My fabulous friend John invited me to the annual "Yule Ball" at Knox College, a picturesque neo-Gothic residence at UofT. Yes, this is what I have been doing instead of posting, sorry.

The Art History contingent of the party*,
me, John, Ashley and Tiana

The evening was extremely British, we had a dinner complete with Boar's head in a pretty wood-paneled hall, and followed it up with caroling in a Gothic Chapel.

Here is everyone singing away

We even got Christmas Crackers!
Inside we got crowns, jokes, and tiny plastic figurines (I got a dancing women, and John got a cow, go figure)

After singing, we broke it down on the dance floor, which worked surprisingly well in a beautiful Olde English Atrium.

*While we pride ourselves on our ability to live it up, surprisingly it was the History students who were the real party animals.

Dinner 101:

2006-11-08T22:06:00.000-05:00

How to have great (incredibly cheap) Indian food in Toronto:

1. Pick up Marion and Flora in your car, start driving across town towards Narula's in Little India for Toonie Tuesdays*

2. Suddenly, run out of gas at Sumach and Gerrard Street** (and by "at" I do mean in the middle of that intersection)
3. Get Marion and Flora to push your car out of the intersection, and park
4. Take the streetcar to Little India and eat fabulous food despite adverse conditions
5. Flag a cab, drive around to find gas and bring it to the car
6. Rejoice when the car starts!
7. Get gas at the most ironically titled gas station possible

A classy establishment:

*Non-Canadians, this translates as "cheap"
**Not the most delightful neighborhood (can I say "Ghetto" on the Internet?)

It's so Medieval:

2006-11-06T12:59:00.000-05:00

I'll bet you the Pope already has one of these puppies, even though it is supposedly still a "concept" piece.

Rock on, Beni, Rock on.

But seriously, what could one, in good conscience, play on this? I'm particularly amused by their suggestion of Madonna. I'd just be worried it might bust into flames when producing the dulcet tones of Justine Timberlake's "Future Sex"...

Thanks to Greg and Gizmodo for the pretty shiny thing.

These should come in handy...

2006-11-04T10:49:00.000-05:00

Just what we've all been waiting for: The Intern has pointed out these new warning signs, which I'm thinking may be very useful in future.

I hate it when this happens:

Beautiful Ontario

2006-11-01T18:04:00.000-05:00

In an effort to dissuade me from my pursuit of an academic career, Amy and Greg came to visit me this past weekend! I just love to show Toronto off, and it was a great excuse to be a tourist in my own town, as well as to eat ridiculously huge amounts of food and flake around like I don't have a real job ... oh wait ... I don't.

They have the seal of UW Madison in the Great Hall at UofT!
(And they don't have Georgetown ... what's up with that?)

Chinatown is always a fun excuse to do "American Gothic" with giant kitchen implements

Or .... to brandish an enormous whisk.
(fear me!)

And here's an example of the delectable eats to be found in Chinatown:
This is the classiest Dim Sum I've ever had (to be found at Dynasty) mostly because I actually knew what was in this stuff.

We also got out of Toronto and saw a bit of Ontario's Wine Country. The area around Niagara is gorgeous and also full of fun little wineries. We had a great day full of sampling the various varieties, and I finally got to try Icewine! We also went to the falls, which were completely awe inspiring!

Amy and Greg about to try the wares at the Konzelmann Winery

The Canadian side of Niagara Falls:

Greg and I next to the really impressive rushing waters ...

We even got to go under in the falls, through creepy tunnels.
(The extremely fashionable slickers do nothing to reduce the creep-out factor)

At the end of the tunnels we got a view out into underside of the rushing waters! It was unbelievably scary, although this concept does not transfer well to the film medium.

Horray for Friends! Horray for Tourism!! Horray for weird kitsch you can buy at Niagara Falls (yes, Intern ... you should be afraid, very afraid)!!

More Trips!

2006-10-25T15:01:00.000-05:00

It feels like only yesterday that I returned from my brief yet frantic trip to Milwaukee ... but even I realize that it's been over a week. My apologies.
While home I managed to invent a reason for having a big party by calling it a "shower for Amy and Greg." I'm sure they must have been there somewhere...

Oh look, there they are!
(yes, they look happy because I paid them)

Abbie and Seth are giving off brainwaves?

Every groom needs a stunt double (and groupies)

Klayr, Tim and Sandy ... a bit too interested in the pop up Kama Sutra

"I can sense presents at this party!!!"

Amy ... laughing because she knows Greg will be distracted for HOURS

And a good time was had by all (I hope!). Thanks so much to my friends, and especially to my wonderful family for making this event possible!!

East Coast, take 2

2006-10-17T23:46:00.000-05:00

As promised here is real documented proof that I visited Meels and Beth on the East Coast. There's even a coast in some of the pictures, woooo!

What is that Amelia up to?

Look, Matt found a weird thing on the beach!
(I assume they're interested because he's actually, I'm not making this up, a real professional weird-thing-looking-at-er)

And here are us girls in Meels' posh loft apartment ...
they pay us Grad students the big bucks

Soon to follow: pictures of my weekend in Milwaukee and Amy and Greg's wedding shower!

Road Trippin'

2006-10-10T23:49:00.000-05:00

Hmmmm ... now that I think about it, I'm not exactly sure what that title implies. Sadly, caffiene is just about the only thing driving me right now, as I'm in the midst of a couple of weeks of serious road trips.

I've just returned from a fabulous weekend in Albany and Boston visiting the lovely Meels and Beth (the only remaining US residents of the Episcopal Living Project*).
Driving tips for the wise:
1. Try not to cross the Canadian boarder at Niagra, it took me 2 hours and I didn't even get to see pretty waterfalls.
2. Do not drink a lot of Diet Coke before you reach the Canadian boarder, thinking it will only take you a few minutes to get to the Niagra rest stop.
3. The "Salt Museum" in Schenectady is skippable (okay, I'm assuming it is skippable, as I skipped it).

I had a great time on the East Coast, mostly shopping, eating and frolicking near the ocean. Sadly, pictures of my mini college reunion are not available, as all camera cords are lost in the undefinable ether of "storage". Please accept my apologies. However, pictures of my upcoming trip to Milwaukee will be forthcoming as soon as that event actually occurs.

*I conceed that this is only funny if you are Me, Beth, Meels or Lissa ... sorry to everyone else.

Reginam patriae de incolarum insidiis monui

2006-09-26T19:42:00.000-05:00

Which translates as*: “I warned the queen of the country of the inhabitant’s plot.” Yes boys and girls, that’s right, it’s time for the Medieval Latin section of my blog**!! Okay, maybe not, but this is what I’m learning right now, which should be really useful in life … especially given the number of misunderstood Roman queens I know.

Actually, I just wanted to let you all know that I now know too many languages to run this blog with any kind of regularity. In fact, I think I know too many languages to allow for coherent thought. I’m supposed to be able to research in English, French und German (note the subtle use of German there), and now it’s on to delightful Medieval Latin, wheee!

But never fear, if I keep indulging in my current obsession with Battlestar Galactica, I’m sure I’ll soon forget one or all of those languages, and then the blog can return to it’s usually amusing form … just give it time.

Ooooh, shiny!

*please, don’t tell me if it doesn't, unless you want to crush my fragile spirit
**I can hear Amelia cheering … or is that crying …

Happy Friday!

2006-09-15T16:31:00.000-05:00

Look what got delivered to me at school today!

So Pretty!!

They even came in a long white box! The whole department is now convinced that I'm having a steamy affair ... but I know that I have the best friends ever. Thanks to Sandy, Marion and Amy for making my day fabulous :)

Life should be more like Star Trek - part 4

2006-09-13T08:52:00.000-05:00

The Intern keeps encouraging me to believe that one day, my life will actually be as cool as Captain Picard's ... and here's yet another development in the pursuit of my dream:

Okay, I'm not sure that Start Trek ever depicted Giant Robotic Frisbees of Death ... but it just seems so their style.

Black Frisbees, oooooh scary.

According to the company who wants to develop these, the heavily armed robotic frisbees "will provide revolutionary tactical access and lethality against hostiles hiding in upper story locations and/or defiladed behind obstacles."

This is all well and good, but I still believe that the glow-in-the-dark, light-up frisbee that my friend Jeff brought to the beach might be cooler (you will note the killer frisbee has none of these key futuristic features).

Too much for Youtube

2006-09-10T22:02:00.000-05:00

Justin, a friend of mine lurking in Canada, has saved the following tidbit for me all summer. I guess he wanted to see my face when I saw these videos...

If you dare, visit the website of Gunther, Swedish superstar and pouter extraordinaire (please, please click on "about" and read Gunther's bio).

Here is Gunther in the flesh, and expensive italian sunglasses, oh baby....

If you are too lazy to visit Gunther's site, you can simply watch one of his "music" videos on Youtube, although it would probably be best not to view this, or any of his videos at work, directly after eating, or with someone you respect.

Justin tells me that Princeton booked this guy and that the crazed and ecstatic audience rushed the stage* ... you have been warned.

*yes, there is a video of this on Youtube as well, but I believe it to be too much for mere mortals...

Canadian Karma

2006-09-07T19:42:00.000-05:00

Okay ... I suppose it's just "Karma", but I couldn't resist the alliteration ...

So, I'm safe here in Toronto, ready for another fabulous semester of Art History.

Wooooooo!!

I got in last night and found my apartment in immaculate, and I mean immaculate condition. My totally unknown tenant had even hung up dryer sheets to make the place smell fresh. So, as my furniture and appliances were not at the time on the Canadian black market, I was delighted.

So, obviously, last night as I bought groceries, fate dictated that someone had to steal my wallet. This is mildly annoying (and the Intern asserts that my identity is now in jeopardy) but, I have decided that this is far better than having no more "bed" or "television". I choose to accept this event as the natural response to my unnatural good luck in sub-letting, because otherwise Canada has recently become a high crime area, and if so, I seriously fear for the fate of humanity.

Youtube strikes again...

2006-09-02T22:21:00.000-05:00

As I discovered on the beach with friends a couple of weeks ago, Youtube has some fabulous vintage Sesame Street clips. I've been systematically watching them (uh, for the culture, yes yes, that's it). We first discovered the surprisingly psychadelic "Number 12" pinball segment .... although I seriously don't remember it being this long.

My current favorite is the Yip Yip Aliens...

I think one of these dudes is secretly Ernie ... shhhhhhh

New Orleans and Captain Cranky

2006-09-02T22:10:00.000-05:00

Quick update...
Cannot post amusing things as I have been either:
a) in New Orleans painting a fake panelled living room yellow, or
b) buying teakettles for the Intern's (now called Captain Cranky, because he does not do his job) birthday
The establishment apologizes for the inconvenience

Your weekly* Youtube fix

2006-08-22T16:27:00.000-05:00

*As always, I use definite terms like "weekly" to mean things like "Whenever I want to" or "Until I get bored of it", please do bear with me.

Thanks to Marion, I can bring to you as the first installation of this segment, The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britian playing what can only be described as a Classic...

Try not to cry:

Feel free to suggest other Gems in the comments section ...

Best Wedding Favor Ever!!

2006-08-18T09:54:00.000-05:00

I found this while looking for Wedding favors for a friend...

Is it wrong that I kinda wish this were real??

I especially like how one can tell that this is not real, not only because it is ridiculous, but because anyone with an ipod knows that any accessories for said machine will cost WAY more that $9.95

The Beach!

2006-08-08T08:54:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am on vacation from my vacation, on the lovely west Michigan shoreline with some of my crazy crazy friends. We are all currently developing sunburns. It is fabulous.

Sunset is pretty:

Strange foreign signs, season 2, part 3.

2006-08-04T15:54:00.000-05:00

Okay, I lied about the blog being back to normal. I also lied about this being a sign. Sue me.

This came on a juice bottle I bought in Poland ...
I figured it must be good, it's 100% smaku!!

Home!!

2006-08-03T19:21:00.000-05:00

Hi all, just wanted to let everyone know that I am home safe in Milwaukee ... I will probably take a brief hiatus before this blog returns to it's normal (if you can call it that) form :)

Also, horray for America, I've really missed it.

Warsaw, Poland

2006-07-29T14:49:00.000-05:00

Once again, I have made the trek into deepest darkest Polonia, to visit my fabulous friends Lissa and Dave at their Warsaw pad. Thus far my main activity has been eating ... all is right in the world.

Here we are at the fabulous Companie Piwnie Restaurant ...

Those Kebabs came to us on FIRE

After our great dinner, and much beer, we went out on the town, which I had yet to do in Warsaw. It was very very fun, and only slightly sketchy :)

Here's the inside of the "Ice Bar"

A bar which is made, not surprisingly, of ice

The place is famous for fabulous Vodka, served at freezing temperatures

(It is so cold inside you have to wear the Parka)

Anna+Vodka+Arctic Parka+Club music = PARTY

Berlin, Germany

2006-07-28T03:54:00.000-05:00

On my way to Poland a couple of days ago, I had the chance to stop in Berlin and visit a friend from school. Anna (and we even say it the same way, which leads to lots of confusion) was a great sport, and took me on a tour of the Bundestag, the famous buildings of the German government.

Here's a view of the Riechstag building, home to the German parliament

(I got to go in the cool dome)

Some of my Professors from Toronto were also in Berlin for the summer, and they also came on the tour!

Here we are, milling around in the Paul Löbe Building,

the conference center for the Parliament

Anna kindly let me stay with her and her husband in her pretty apartment in downtown Berlin. She even taught me how to make Kasespatzle, one of my favorite South-German dishes.

Anna is Swabian ... you can tell by the enormous Spatzle-press she owns!

Before I left the city I also got a chance to peek at one of the fabulous art collections...

Here I am in front of the Kunstgewerbemuseum

They have lots of nifty Medieval objects in this colletion

I like this Limoges Reliquary because it looks like the Baby Jesus is levitating :)

Ulm, auf wiedersehen fur immer (or maybe not!)

2006-07-27T03:51:00.000-05:00

My fabulous summer in Ulm has just come to a close, and boy am I depressed. I had an amazing time, and I am going to miss my summer friends so much! My spirits have been slightly lifted by the promise that we all made to each other to meet in 4 years for the World Cup in South Africa, where we shall be die hard Deutschland fans. It will rock :)

I left Ulm during the blow-out Danube fest that happens there every summer. We partied all day and then my friends put me on a train at 2 am. Yes, even I am suprised that this worked out.

Enjoying a "halb" with my awesome Ulm friends in front of the Rathaus:

Katie, me and Meaghan, at a sketchy mexican place:

Sniffle!! This is so tragic!! But soon I shall be home to harass my family and friends in person with long winded stories of my summer ... horray!

Köln and Aachen, Germany

2006-07-19T14:02:00.000-05:00

On Saturday and Sunday I traveled further north to see Köln (Cologne ... or Colonia if you happen to be Roman) and Aachen!! Köln was an actual city! It was big! With big city things! I think I've been in southern Germany for a bit too long, any place that doesn't have half-timbered houses seems really cosmopolitan to me.

Aaack! The Kölner Dom is coming to get me!!!

Köln has lots of Romanesque Churches ... and here's a word to the wise, do NOT try to see all 12 in one day without really really good walking shoes.

To untrained eye, they all look like this:
This is St. Gereon if anyone is counting

Romanesque mosaic from St. Gereon ...
I'm thinking Samson is too sexy for his shirt,
so sexy it hurts, if you know what I mean.

Then I took a day trip out west to see Aachen, capitol of the Holy Roman Empire under my man Charlemagne (you know, the Carolingian guy ... lived around 800 ... liked to recreationaly bathe ... nice guy). Only a bit of his palace complex is left, in the form of the "Palatine Chapel," but it is a cool COOL bit.

The chapel is the domey octagonal thing in the middle,
surrounded by Gothic-ness

Here it is from the inside!! It was so cool I had trouble not passing out.
(I realize that this means that I'm an art nut ... go with me here)

It's me!! In the Palatine Chapel at Aachen!!

I think I'm glowing more than the ridiculous chandelier behind me.

Würzburg and Fulda, Germany

2006-07-17T06:40:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I was left to my own devices (while my friends went to Roma! Oh the jealousy I feel!!). Of course, when left alone for too long, I devise long and complicated journies across Germany to see lots of obscure old stuff. This weekend took me to western Germany, where I visited the towns of Würzburg, Fulda, Frankfort (accidentally), Köln and Aachen (yes, my feet are killing me).

The town of Würzburg is the start of the celebrated "Romantic Road" through the beautiful towns of southen Germany. It has lots of Baroque stuff ... not really my thing, but very shiny none the less.

Here's a view of the city from the fortress hill

Here's the (non-Baroque) castle at the top of Würzburg's hill

This was superceeded by a Baroque monstrosity ... uh, Shloß ... in the center of town

And then I went north to Fulda, which is also known for it's Baroque architecture, but I went there for the nifty Carolingian stuff.

Here's the huge Baroque Dom

This is the increadibly amazing St. Michaelskirche, dating from 822

it's got a Romanesque facade, but a complete Carolingian choir and crypt inside

(these are technical terms generally meaning "cool")

I also got to see some great Romanesque frescoes in the crypt of a tiny church

just outside the town

(btw: I am now a criminal ... I had to sneak into the crypt whose barred door was left unlocked, then I dragged in some lighting fixtures that were sitting around in the Church ... then I took lots of illicit pictures. I'm pretty sure this means eternal damnation)

More to follow on Köln and Aachen as soon as I can get the pictures to upload ...

Strange foreign signs, season 2, part 2.

2006-07-13T00:56:00.000-05:00

This is a street sign near my dorm .... I seriously have no idea what it's for:
(no awkward can-can dancing?!?)

Füssen and Schloss Neuschwanstein, Bavaria, Germany

2006-07-11T07:59:00.000-05:00

On sunday a group of us made the (very) long journey south to the Bavarian Alps to see Schloss Neuschwanstein, the Fairy-tale castle of King Ludwig II (he was rich and nuts)! The countryside and the mountians surrounding the castle make it particuliarly beautiful.

Schloss Neuschwanstein
(fyi, the Disney castle was modeled after this one)

Here I am inside the castle courtyard ...
doesn't it look smaller up close??

The views from the castle were breathtaking!

After our tour of the castle we went on a hike in the mountains directly behind it. This means that I have lots of pictures of Neuschwanstein from various different angles ...

Look, it's us, Neuschwanstein, and a tree!!

The town of Füssen was also really cute and interesting. The town's castle, built in the 15th century by the ruling Bishops, has these really cool Gothic trompe-l'oeil frescoes in the inner courtyard.

Are these really windows?!?

Ok ... I had to include this because it shows the range of pictures that I have showing Neuschwanstein,
all from slightly different vantage points ... I have about 80 of these.

Stuttgart, Baden-Wuttemburg, Germany

2006-07-11T07:33:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I took a day trip to Stuttgart with my friend Kat. The city was totally over-run with World Cup fanatics who were going to see the 3rd place game, played in the city. Despite the frantic crush of people we had a fabulous time.

We decided to go see the brand new "Mercedes Benz World," celebrating the brand that was pioneered in Stuttgart. It was a seriously cool museum.

Here are Kat and René* in front of the Mercedees Benz Welt

This is the very first "car" put together by Benz ...

Did you know that the Popemobile is a Mercedes?? Oh yes, yes indeed ...

We also actually saw the city of Stuttgart, and it was lovely, albeit slightly less shiny than the Mercedes Museum and packed with people.

This is the Schiller Platz, with the Altes Schloss in the background

They were having some kind of folk food festival - my kind of town.

Here I am inside one of these cute little outdoor restaurants.
Can you see the fake chickens above my head??? They were definitly there.
Despite the Kitsch, the cake and Riesling were delicious!

*a friend of ours from our program who we ran into accidentally in the city ... I swear, Germany is secretly a very very small place.

Rothenburg, Bavaria, Germany

2006-07-06T07:04:00.000-05:00

Rothenburg, aka the cutest town on the face of the planet, was a lovely way to finish off my weekend. This tiny town has almost been perfectly preserved since the 14th century ... and except for the hordes of tourists that invade it daily, has looked pretty much the same for the past 700 years.

The town is surrounded by a totally intact medieval wall ...

I walked all the way around the town on the ramparts!

Here I am, taking a break as I walked around the whole town

(it only took about an hour, really, I'm just lazy)

Here's a view of the Old Town Square from the bell tower of the 14th century Rathaus

The climb up was one of the most interesting (and by that I mean "precariously vertical") climbs of this sort that I've ever done!

The Jacobskirche is famous for their "Holy Blood Altar"

It is very large and, uh, wooden ... I confess, I'm way out of my league with 15th century German Altarpieces.

Finally, you can't escape Rothenburg without experiencing some serious Tourist Kitsch.

This is a shot from when I was trapped inside this enormous indoor Christmas Village ... that Nutcraker is over a story tall ... yipes.

Bamberg, Bavaira, Germany

2006-07-06T06:59:00.000-05:00

Bamberg was the second town that I visited last weekend. Honestly, I went because I'd heard the town name associated with lots of Medieval manuscripts. Bamberg turned out to be a very interesting town, with a great 12th Century Cathedral.

Here's a view of the city and the hill with the Dom:

Here I am, outside the Cathedral, on a very worn ... lion thingie??

(This Cathedral was the site of my 12th century liturgical vestment viewing,

in which I spent 3 hours and forgot to eat lunch ... I have a problem)

Here's a view of the cute little old town ... the river really makes it quite scenic,

they call it their own Klein Venedig (little Venice)*

And here I am, outside the only Baroque church in the town

(because every town needs at least one)

This one was interesting because of it's botanical-print style fresco decoration.

*My friends from the program actually went to Venice this same weekend, and I think that their pictures show that there's really no comparison.

Nürnberg, Bavaria, Germany

2006-07-05T07:29:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I ventured out on my own to visit some towns in Northern Bavaria ... it was a fun experience to travel truely all by myself, but I notice that when left alone I get to be a little too much "in my own head" as it were. I clearly need friends with me to stop me from doing things like starting at 12th century liturgical vestments for hours on end...

Nürnberg (Nuremberg to you and me) was quite beautiful, despite having been heavily damaged in WWII. The town was great to walk through, but even more impressive were the collections of art objects in the Churches and Museums...

The Lorenzkirche was absolutely decked with impressive

15th century wooden interrior decoration

Here's me, by the Medieval Hospital

(you can't go in it now, because it is a retirement home,

because nothing says "relax in peace and quiet" like "Medieval Hospital")

The Germanisches Nationalmuseum is housed in Nuremburg and was simply amazing!

Among many other wonderful things, they have the actual cover of the Codex Aureus!

I seriously almost cried it was so cool:

And finally, I tried one of Nuremburg's culinary specialities:

The tiniest Bratwurst in Bavaria...

Auf wiedersehen...

2006-07-05T06:48:00.000-05:00

Last night, Germanys run in the World Cup came to a tragic end ...

We were saddened:

Honestly, the Germans probably took it better than we did. Now all we have left to live for is the coming destruction that shall be visited upon the Italians ... by ... France?!? Hmmmm ... maybe we'll have to rethink our revenge.

Happy America Day!!

2006-07-04T06:47:00.000-05:00

That's what my German teacher here called it ... we tried to explain that it was not quite the same thing as "Canada Day" (last Saturday) but to no avail, alas.

I will celebrate by ...
watching the Deutschland game?!?!*

*This is such a weird picture, don't I look like I'm up to no good??

Strange foreign signs, season 2, part 1.

2006-07-03T08:26:00.000-05:00

Sorry about the lack of strange foreign signs up 'till now. I can only point to three possible explanations for my lack of wit:

1. I've become European, and now everything looks normal
2. Germany is boring
3. I don't get out enough

But at long last ... they begin:

I assume this means that Tom Hanks will be doing

a cameo appearance of his role in "Big"

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

2006-06-26T08:05:00.000-05:00

This weekend, the Germany game for the World Cup was in Munich, so a bunch of us from the program decided to go and see the town and to watch the game there!

Here's a view of the Marienplatz, over the mobs of people.

(The spiky builiding is the New Town Hall)

Here we are, ready to start the day!!

Munich is fabulous ... almost the first thing we saw was a troup of "folkloric dancers" complete with guys in Leirderhosen and girls with fake braids on their heads dancing to traditional music in the street. The guys actually jumped around and slapped themselves in time to the music ... it was so good I teared up.

This is right before these guys preformed a spoon-slapping-song,

Could I be making this stuff up?

Then we went for lunch at the Hofbrauhaus, an enormous Beer Hall infamous for its Nazi Rallies and now home to many happy singing Germans.

Here's me with my liter of Beer, before noon.

Believe me, we tried to get smaller glasses, and were informed by the waiter that:

"The Beer only comes in Liters"

Here's the main hall of the Hofbrauhaus,

The band was awesome, they played traditional songs and then World Cup songs, and everyone danced on the tables and sang.

In the afternoon we wisely decided to watch the game on a big screen from a shady spot in the Hofgarten instead of trying to get out to the stadium (the U-bahn was so packed with people they had police officers guarding the escalators ... doesn't really inspire one to use public transport).

Ah Deutschland fans ... so delightfully rowdy,

and this is before we won!

(unfortunately you can't see the small contingencey of Sweden fans in their Viking helmets and fake blonde pigtails ... they were hot)

Meersburg, Lake Konstanz, Germany

2006-06-26T07:42:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, our program had yet another little trip planned for us, this time to several towns on the shores of Lake Konstanz in southern Germany. I could tell you all about the neolithic stilt village that I visited in Friedrichshafen (not making this up)*, but I'm figuring you all will want to be spared that...

Instead I shall show you beautiful Meersburg, a town with lots of pretty old buildings and also the oldest castle in Germany (or so they claim)!

Here is the Schloss ...

it was started by Merovingians, which must make it cool

Here are the girls by a cute, and very typical fountain, on the way up to the Schloss

(nb: in Germany, every castle is on a big trecherous hill (I assume for tactical purposes). Keep this in mind when planning shoe choices)

Here I am, on the actual drawbridge over a big chasm ...

even I was impressed.

And finally, here's a view out over the town and Lake Konstanz from the Schloss.

*No, seriously, not making this up:

Berchtesgaden, Germany

2006-06-21T07:58:00.000-05:00

Meaghan and I had a day to spare around Salzburg (because everything in that town, including the cheesy kitsch stores, is closed on Sunday) so we decided to take the train up into the Alps to the town of Berchtesgaden. We decided to visit Berchtesgaden because:
1. The train goes there
2. It is one of the only towns around here actually mentioned in my book, and
3. It was free (the train station guy gave us both free day passes, I can only assume due to our obviously astounding intellect)
This town is very cute, nestled right up in the mountains, and in winter is a ski resort. Also, it's famed for being the location of Hitler's vacation lodge, Eagle's Next, which we didn't have time to visit.*

Here's the main square of this little old town:

I swear, this bridge is too cute to actually exist.
(we had to climb the hill behind it to actually get to the town -
this had not been part of our plans - I was not pleased)

And finally, a glimpse of the gorgeous views that constantly surround you while you wander through the village!

*I believe I remember a story, told to me by a friend of mine who shall only be known as "Dave", involving a long and fruitless hike up a not-very-interesting mountainside, which cautioned me against ever EVER trying to hike up to the "Eagle's Nest" on my own. I hope that I've got this story right, and if I do, Dave, I hope you're proud.

Salzburg, Austria

2006-06-20T06:49:00.000-05:00

After a lovely stay in Vienna, Meaghan and I headed west to Salzburg. This small city is filled with beautiful buildings, early baroque churchs, and lots and lots of tourists. Despite the clogged streets, it still managed to be charming...

Here we are on the bridge to the old town ...
you can vaguely see the fortress on the hill in the background

Being intrepid explorers, we climbed all the way up to the fortress on the huge rocky escarpment surrounding Salzburg ...

It was very steep, and the day was really hot, but the view was amazing!

As many of you may know, Salzburg is Mozart's home town ... and this year is his 250th birthday ... this combines into a Mozart-palooza of almost epic proportions. I feared for my life.

Here I am, in front of a very typical tasteful display window
This store mainly sells, I kid you not, Mozart Balls.
The less mature among us (me) find this very funny

Here's Meaghan in front of a much more restrained homage to the composer,
on the aptly, albeit somewhat mundanely, named "Mozartplatz"

And finally, here I am on the Fortress Ramparts,
being vastly overshadowed by the beautiful Alps

Vienna, Austria

2006-06-19T07:36:00.000-05:00

This weekend was a holiday weekend in Baden-Wüttenburg (my home province) and so I had time to go on a long weekend trip!! This meant lots of early trains and not a lot of sleep, but I got to see a lot of Austria!

On thursday, my friend Meaghan and I took the train to Vienna! Having been there before (with the fabulous Katie) I was the Viennese expert, and I dragged her to all sorts of fun and interesting places ...

Here's the Hoffburgh, in which are the Kaiserappartments (very opulent 19th century Hapsburgh residence) and the Empress Sisi Museum (It was even weirder a second time)

Here I am at one of Maria Theresa's prudy fountains ...

All the bronzes had to keep their clothes on, what a shame.

After being good tourists, and dragging ourselves around the whole city, we rewarded ourselves with desserts at Demel, a Vieneese Konditori since 1786 (Their website calls themselves "The Demel", I love it).

Meaghan seems thrilled with her extremely pretty ice cream ...

even my coffee is fancy:

We even made it out to Schloss Schönbrunn, the Emperial summer residence of the Hapsburghs.

Here are Meaghan, and then me, looking triumphant after climbing up the Palace's Gardens:

Tübingen, Baden-Wüttenburg, Germany

2006-06-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend, my friend Meaghan and I took a day trip to Tübingen! This town boasts one of the oldest Universities in Germany, and, as Meaghan and I discovered, is also really cute. The town isn't really known for its amazing sites, but rather its medieval collegiate atmosphere and great medieval architecture. Thus, we wandered around the old town and looked at 500 year old student dorms, checked out Goethe's publisher's old house, and ate really yummy strawberries.

This is a view of the Old Town, over the Neckar river
Apperantly all postcards from Tübingen consist of this view.

Here is Meaghan, with the StiftsKirche behind her
(the strange clock tower was a later edition to this 15th century church)

Here I am, at Neptune's fountain, in the main square.
Very Renaissance-y

These were seriously yummy:

Fussball-Weltmeisterschaft Deutschland 2006!!!!

2006-06-10T14:00:00.000-05:00

That's "the inexplicably over-hyped championships of a strange sport played by damaged people" to my American friends. To Germans, apparently it is life itself.

Oh yes, the World Cup of Soccer opened in Germany yesterday, and the country has exploded into mass hyteria. I quickly realized that I needed to blend in, and I needed to do this FAST ... so I went to the opening of the first game, Germany vs Costa Rica, at the Münsterplatz, and watched the game on the enormous screen they set up, with my friends and seemingly the rest of the population of Ulm.

Here are Katie and I, blending in ...

This is the enormous screen upon which we watched the game:
(I have no idea why that fire engine was there, it left when the game started)

And here's what it looks like when Germany scores a goal ... except you can't really see the jumping and screaming very well.

It was great!!! I got my own free flag to frantically wave and noise maker to annoy everyone else with before I entered the square. The game was actually a lot of fun to watch, and Germany won!! I've decided that this World Cup thing is okay with me, as long as Germany keeps winning, because I really really don't want to be around any Germans if they don't ;)

First week of school!! First week of school!!

2006-06-09T05:13:00.000-05:00

Well, I've started my classes at the good old Universität Ulm this week, and it's been pretty interesting. The campus is huge, and out in the countryside, which took a lot of getting used to. I still get lost pretty frequently, because all of the buildings here are interconnected in weird ways, and then suddenly sepperated by enormous clumps of trees you can't see around. The architecture is also, er, lovely.

This is what happens when you build a University in the 70's.

This is the Universität West, with nifty new buildings.

Here are Meaghan and Rosa in our classroom, looking studious.
Note the blinds behind them: they came down automatically all of a sudden in our first class and totally freaked us out.

Beuron, Swabian Alb, Germany

2006-06-08T06:50:00.000-05:00

On Monday I went on the second of my language program's two planned excursions, this time to Beuron. Beuron is also situated in the beautiful Swabian Alb region (ie, lots of cool hills) but is much further away. This meant a long train ride, but it was worth it.

First we went on a hike ...

It doesn't look like it, but it was insanely steep climb up a huge hill.

And at the top we found, drumroll please, a Woodpile!!! Woooooo!
We were so excited, the girls insisted that I take this picture.

Then we hiked some more, and got a real view out over the Swabian countryside. After descending out of the hills we visited the abbey at Beuron. It was done in the "regency" style in the early 19th century somewhere between Baroque and Roccoco, and was INSANE on the inside.

Apperantly, all churches in southern Germany look like this:

In the afternoon, we continued with a 10k kayack trip down the Danube. This was actually a lot of fun, and didn't involve too much stuff like "paddeling" and "work" which was good.

We did have to do some portages though, to avoid dams like this:

Ollie was my partner ... here we are looking triumphant!!

And, as should probably be the way in Germany, we rounded out the afternoon with a rest at the, I'm not kidding, Kayack-rental/Archery-range/Beirgarten in the middle of the countryside.

After our day, we really needed this:

Blaubeuren, Swabian Alb, Germany

2006-06-04T09:05:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the first of my program's two planned excursions. For our first trip, the whole group took the train to Blaubeuren, a tiny town about 15 minutes outside of Ulm in the beginnings of the Swabian Alb (yes, Alb) an area of very jagged hills (very old mountains really) and pretty valleys created by the Danube river.

Here's a view of the town from one of the surrounding hills:

And this is one of the cute fountains we passed as we walked through the town:

Blaubeuren is famous for its beautiful spring, it's medieval abbey, and its caves. Our trip was dedicated to seeing the caves, which are located on the tops of the hills surrounding the town. They've found evidence of Neanderthal and Early Human dwellings in these areas!

Here's Katie (from Milwaukee!) and I, about to enter the cave
(they made us wear the hardhats)

This is the Cave we got to see...

And here our guide made a fire using only tinder, a stone, a mushroom and grass ...

Clearly they've got us Americans pegged for cheap entertainment :)

My "interesting" dorm room

2006-06-03T13:40:00.000-05:00

As promised, here's a peak into my new life here in Ulm:

This is the building I live in, just outside of the Old City
(it's a ten minute walk to the Münster from my place)

And here's my extrememly ugly (and currently messy) dorm room.
It's just fine for me, except that I can't put any of my clothes in the closet because it smells like a Hockey Player. Febreeze (yes, they have that in Deutschland) is not helping. Alas.

Sooooo ... anyone want to visit me (I'll even give you the wierd bed)???

Ulm, Germany

2006-06-02T10:07:00.000-05:00

Well, after a very long (although not as long as it could have been, given that I had 3 connections to make and each coud have lead to badness) journey, I have made it safely to the University town of Ulm!

I've only been here long enough to see the Old Town (I got here yesterday and classes start on Tuesday), and the main attraction here is certainly the huge Münster Cathedral!

This is the Münster steeple ... the largest steeple in the world (instert joke here).
It is very, uh, impressive...

So impressive that you can see it everywhere ... this was taken outside my dorm room

And finally, here's what my neighborhood looks like:
(Well, except my building which is an ulgy monstrosity, but I digress)

More on my hideous dorm room and weekend "planned program excursions" to follow ...

Once Again...

2006-05-30T22:52:00.000-05:00

My Blog is undergoing a mysterious transformation into a Travel Blog! I believe I echo the general sentiment when I say: "Woooooooo!".

What strange and bewildering adventures will I experience in Southern Germany? Just how easy is it to get arrested in Switzerland?? Exactly what animal parts are involved in Polish Sausage?!?!

All these questions and more I will probably ignore while I take an intensive language class for the next two months in Ulm, Germany. So yes, my blog will be a bit more boring, or as I like to say "fascinating", for the next few months ... just bear with me.

Tomorrow: my odyssey towards Ulm begins, with a flight to Pittsburgh! However, I think that for all of our sakes I'll skip the wonders of Pittsburgh and just report in on Germany. More after the jump -

A weekend of Culture...

2006-05-21T20:21:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, Bridget and I were graced by the presence of the fabulous Gecko (ok, you can call her Laura) and Tom, and whiled away our weekend participating in the objectifiction of women ... or neo-feminism ... depending on which you prefer.

Tom, attempting to abscond with Gecko:

First on our list of ogling was: The Cherry Pop Burlesque

Here we are after the show ... uh, except that I'm taking the picture.

Of all the preformances, the one that most stunningly captured the art of true burlesque was probably Michelle L'amour's
I recommend watching the amazing Michelle in the risqué Snow White Burlesque which she preformed for us:

Then, we followed up the Burlesque with some good old fashioned Madison Roller Derby!!!

Tom, inspired by the excess of PBR and scantily clad women, apperantly believes himself to be at a Frat party.

The "Unholy Rollers," about to take the floor with their mascott, an increadibly disturbing leather clad man.

And finally, an example of one of the matches:

Roller Derby is awesome ... by the end of the evening I was jumping up and down and screaming "Kill Kill Kill!!!!" and I only fit in with the crowd. Amazing.

Copper Chef - Pimped out snack edition

2006-05-14T19:57:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who made the second annual Copper Chef (for anyone not in the know, a layman's version of Iron Chef) a resounding success. We have Klayr and Tim to thank for the totally bizzare theme of the party, Pimp My Snack, which lead to the creation of many things that perhaps might have been better left un-made* ... in other words, FUN :)

This time we had a baby to distract us!
(I assume an evil plan on the part of Team Achilles)

We pick the ingredients...

Sandy and Beth begin work on the pimped-out Golden Grahams:

The final products ... along with winner: the Pimped out Sushi Roll from team "Multiple Textures**"

Amy appreciated the Reeses Mothership created in honor of her birthday:

And to round out the evening, Marion experiences the freaky massage chair:

*yes, I am referring to the Marshmallow Jesus
**Ok, I can't remember the name of Team Amy & Jeff ... help?

What I've been up to...

2006-05-08T10:22:00.000-05:00

Horray for the semester being over and being back in America! Mostly what I've been doing for the past three weeks has been writing two truly atrocious papers. However, I did have some time for some other stuff ... which included:

"helping" Amy and Greg move into their new house!

Celebrating my darling little brother's birthday:

And going up to Twig, Minnesota for the weekend:
(Apperantly so that Bridget could be trounced by her mother at Ping-Pong)

Snap saves your Soul

2006-04-23T15:21:00.000-05:00

The ever resourceful Klayr has recently let me in on her discovery of the online Advertising Slogan Generator.* In honor if this astounding find I have temporarily changed my blog description to my favorite slogan that it generated for me (see Blog title). I like it ... Pretentious, but potentially true.

Some of my other favorites were:
"Every kiss begins with Snap"
"A taste for Snap"
and (using "Judgment") the inexplicable:
"Ho ho ho, green Judgment"

*I've automatically set the thing to generate "Snap" slogans ... But feel free to introduce your own. Klayr suggests "anus" as a good starting point.

This made me weirdly happy...

2006-04-19T23:11:00.000-05:00

... so I had to share:

Thanks to Tousled Pigtails for introducing us all to the concept of SPAM poetry. Oh yes, you use your SPAM to compose nifty poems ... and let me tell you, it is weirdly satisfying. I think it's the idea of giving something that is inherantly useless and annoying some sense of purpose. Or maybe I just really don't want to do my work.

Pigtails' ode to Spam (it's a Haiku!):

Here's my version (not cool enough to be a Haiku, but none the less gave me a strange sense of catharsis):

Some downing locust,
Your home credit agreement is about to END,
am I your girl?

I feel so post-modern and cool ... now, where did I put my beret?

Happy Spring

2006-04-14T16:59:00.000-05:00

In honor of Easter and all things Springy I bring you an overload of cuteness!

Here's the kind of thing I'm talking about*

*See? Seriously, only view this if you are really prepared to squeal in front of your computer. Um, unless you're a guy, in which case only view this if you are prepared to surpress a squeal in front of your computer.

I've never been a fan of irony

2006-04-12T23:21:00.000-05:00

I, along with the rest of Canada, am sick.
Three things are brought to mind by this tragic turn of events:

1. Janine is clearly trying to kill me.
2. Never underestimate the power of cute plush things to hurt you.
3. Perhaps posting on one's blog with a fever isn't the best idea in the world.

And on that note, I'm going to go lay down...

You need more stuff.

2006-04-02T23:36:00.000-05:00

Okay, maybe not ... but once you see Think Geek, you probably will. I'm pretty sure that just about everyone I know will appreciate this.*
We have Janine thank for this source of all that is nifty, who sent me a fuzzy germ friend to keep me company at school.

Here he is, perched atop my computer:

*No! I'm not posting this because my birthday is coming up! Why do you ask?? {batts eyes innocently}

Movies that change your life:

2006-03-27T15:15:00.000-05:00

To sum up my weekend, I will just say: watching Zorro, The Gay Blade is much better than actually "doing my reaserch." Yes, that's right, it's a movie about Zorro and his gay twin brother which I think that everyone needs to see.

Many thanks to Amy and Justin for introducing me to this work of cinematographic genius. I especially love two fun facts about this film:
1. Amy watched this film growing up, and thus has always thought that Zorro had a gay twin brother with a prediliction for a whip and snappy colorful outfits.
2. I swear that the theme music from this film is taken from "The Sea Hawk" with Errol Flynn ... so when gay Zorro is prancing around in his colorful outfits to the epic background music my brain gets all crosswired, and I have thoughts like "Errol would look fabulous in Gold Lammé".

I don't want to give anything away, but here's a little teaser...

(I love the flower, it really makes the hat)

Canada is cold...

2006-03-20T14:36:00.000-05:00

So cold, in fact, that when I visited DC for the weekend, 50 degrees seemed warm to me.

In a last-ditch effort to avoid school, I went down to DC last weekend to introduce Bridget (staying in DC for two weeks to do some "political thingie" on the hill) to the Snapbro (who, coincidentally is letting Bridget stay with him and his room-mates in Casa Columbia Heights gratis).

All went well, and I got a change to show Bridget a bit of the Olde Alma Mater (including an actual authentic "college friend", thanks Drew!), as well as some of the touristy Washington attractions.

Davin, Liz and Bridget having a civilized brunch at the Tombs:

Here I drag Bridget all over the mall, in the hopes of catching some early Cherry Blossoms ...

About one tree was actually blooming:

Uh-oh:

2006-03-13T12:38:00.000-05:00

No good can come of this .....

The hidden joys of the academic conference...

2006-03-08T13:33:00.000-05:00

So, I've recently discovered for myself what Bridget has been telling me for weeks: the best part of a conference has nothing to do with the conference proper, and everything to do with what you do afterwards ... getting tipsy and embarrassing yourself in public with your colleagues is actually key in any networking that you might wish to do at these events.

Here, Bridget networks ON the bar in a Country Western place* after a hard day at the Organics Conference

And voila Amy, Marion and I after the Kingston Medievalists conference doing a back-up dance at Kereoke-night at the local Irish pub:

What's really great about these two pictures is that in BOTH of these pictures cropping was necessary to omit other individuals who forever wish to remain nameless after their embarrassing antics ... Oh yes, oh yes.

*Many thanks to Andy, without whom Bridget's picture would not be available for mass consumption. I have a great picture of him singing which I choose not to post in gratitude for the fabulous picture of my girlfriend breakin' it down.
*Also thanks to Lisa for taking the pictures of the amazing Kereoke event; without you, we wouldn't have evidence...