Sticky Apple Kisses

The Killers have a video out to spread awareness of human trafficking. My Masters thesis was almost this topic, but I veered into environmental history last minute. The video is tough to watch, but important.

Unicef talking about it:

The video:

Last night I never got home till 2 am. Not because I was out drinking and dancing (though I confess that I had just as much fun as some of my nights spent doing just that) but because I was at a taekwondo event in Bavaria. I know understand why my co worker was so adamant that I needed to join. Im getting old or something, because a night of heavy duty working out followed by supper with Bavarians was great fun. And when 97% of diet pills don’t work (check out the link for that story), having an exercise thats fun and healthy is just the greatest!

And this is not in direct reference to my brilliant taekwondo move last night where my double kick somehow ended up with me kicking both legs into the air and me landing (HARD) on my bottom, causing my lower back to swell up like a balloon, and to cement my position as the most uncoordinated person in the world. (I think I took the instructor’s words as a direct challenge when he told my friend that there is nothing she could do to surprise him, I succeeded!). So no, I dont mean humiliation that causes me never to leave the house again (and Im going back tonight, Im stubborn like that), but rather an email I received with deals for Black Friday. I dont even think they mean Canadian thanksgiving which is in October. But at least from home you dont have to face the mad hordes of deal seekers. Internet shopping is safer on such massive sale days.

I love this guy, funny and reviewing BMW F 800 GS, this video is great even if your not into bikes. (At least I think so, check out the skies attached to his back.) This is the first time I was laughing out loud for a motorcycle review!

Both to improve my mood as well as to travel. With Iceland canceled we are both are a little bummed (although still looking forward to a week through part of Poland and Czech Republic for my birthday). Still, Patrick´s sisters are currently in Iceland with their bicycles, and we were suppose to have joined them, ummmm today. We would´ve left last week, arrived in Iceland 2 days ago, and made it to Reykjavik sometime today. Sniff. And with me starting school in October I don´t see a big trip South America style in the very near future. (however it would be a nice consolation prize should I fail out)

In this line we have begun to plot for when I graduate (or fail out). And of course part of that comes from saving money. And one of the best ways to save money is not to spend it. Even better is to help the environment while you are at it. And so with this in mind we liberated some really nice outdoor furniture that was destined for the garbage dump. Actually, its a nice wooden set, so we think that it was someone´s kitchen. However it is perfect for an outside set, and since we were planning on buying a set anyway should we move, now we have it! I will take pictures as soon as we set it up, which will be in 3 months should we move. Until then it is in our basement. And instead I will share pictures from South America, which was when Patrick traveled for a year and i joined him for 5 months. And then the laptop cable exploding is not so embittering. Other things are far more important!

And ast but not least, in Chile you can get PC chocolate chunk cookies! Why oh why Germany are you so cruel!!! (Needless to say the supply Tracey brought me from home are gone).

This is one of those times when I have to sit and soul search and accept that maybe, just maybe, it must be me. I am once again reduced to using a German keyboard as I use Patrick´s old laptop. A laptop that he has had for about 5 years and that made it to Turkey and back (on a motorcycle), and more importantly, has only one minor thing wrong with it - somewhere on that trip the thingy that allows the battery to charge up broke. So unless its plugged in it doesnt work. Not great for a laptop. But fine as a desktop. So he has had 2 laptops in 5 years, and really could get away wth just one.

I however am on my third laptop. The German´s last comment upon leaving was “DONT punch my laptop.” He wasnt really kidding. But this time it was not violence that ended the life of my computer. I did nothing. I plugged it in to charge and I heard a crackling noise and the air filled with smoke. Surely that is not my fault. I didnt jump on it as I am often tempted to do.

sigh

and so now I have to wait a week (maybe more) while they send me a new power pack. And I´m looking into pressure washers. Because there is another area I need to do some soul searching in. My kitchen has a never ending supply of dishes. And the mood I am in now I would happily blast them all away.

It has been that type of week. I look back and think “where did my time go and how did I get so tired.” But Ive put in more hours at work the past week than the past month combined, I’ve taken Tracey to Zürich and back, and I have lost 3 pounds from joining Taekwondo (fat burner pills have nothing on training to kick butt). The weight loss alone may be wiping me out. I have been going to the gym and steadily losing weight (ever since Cuba I have been on my best behavior….unless you count my new supply of sugar cereals and PC cookies) but kicking butt has proven to be above and beyond what I expected.

So this week I have not one, but two meetings with different financial advisers. I am breaking down and starting a private pension plan. I know!!! Few can believe that I may actually take on so much responsibility, but Ive stressed the need that it has to be international. I may be starting to act German, but I like the idea that I can still move away. These Gypsy feet still beg to wander. Its just nice how easy it is to do while having a more or less permanent home base. I am also going to ask about disability insurance. Apparently Allsup has a 98% success rate for people who apply through them, and they only charge if they succeed in getting you the insurance to begin with.

In other news, my 30th Bday present to myself is Taekwondo lessons. Everyone has a 30 before 30 list, but when I think about it there are so few things that I have really wanted to do that I have not (winning the lotto and being able to live off a trust fund aside). However marital arts lessons I have always wanted to do. So now on Monday Im going to start my first lesson. And its in German. And Im nervous. But its always good to have something unsettling and exciting in your life. It keeps you from getting old.

But sadly embedding has been disabled! However for a good giggle check out

John Cleese Hates Belgians!