Visits and Cars

Ok. I just received a slightly 'peeved' e-mail from one JJR, friend extraordinaire, who states,

"I just noticed on your blog that you've got lots of lovely pictures--about your travels, about your fun and lovely visitors, all excepting.... ME!!!"

Only too happy to oblige all members of my super-duper-Beninswitzerland-fan-club (be careful what you wish for). So here is a picture from our visit and day trip to the lovely town of Martigny in early June. Sorry for the delay; it's been a busy few weeks.

Bad picture of me, but what else can you do when there's no one else around to take it? Also, you too can have your picture taken with YR in Switzerland for the low low price of coming to visit me. I promise to post it and make you famous! Next up are the lovely husband/wife team of AH and SH. Pictures to follow.










Oh. And the new ride. Here are some pictures below. I'm loving finally having a car again, and this thing definitely hauls ass. The quintessential car, as far as I'm concerned. Four door wagon, all-wheel drive, no A/C (i'm not kidding), and definitely enough speed. Rockin'...(Note the obnoxious CH sticker...Excellent)

Boycott the World Cup

It sucks...With the exception of the Ukraine, all the usual suspects have made it through, and most on shoddy play. The Italians, in particular, are churning my butter. First of all, they are a bunch of flopping BASTARDS. I mean, in some ways, it's a compliment. They bring the dive to a new art form. Usually to their advantage. So, kudos to that, i guess...But it's just frustrating, not least of which because they all go out and celebrate when, in reality, they were given a gift last night against the Socceroos...And the Swiss can't convert penalty kicks... No one left good to root for. Suggestions welcome.

Some pictures.



Istanbul, from my hotel room. Schweet.


Awesome hiking view in Gruyere (like the cheese, 'tards).








And watching the Swiss play the Ukraine last night outside on the lake. Pretty awesome, minus the whole 'Swiss losing thing'...

More later!

Son of a Bitch...

Things the U.S. does well:

1. Capitalism/Free Markets
2. Bombing the shit out of people at a moments notice anywhere around the globe
3. Stupid presidents
4. Rule of Law (generally)
5. Other sports that no one else in the world plays.

Things the U.S. does not do well:

1. PLAY FUCKING SOCCER. Very embarassing, man. Even if the U.S. had, miraculously, beat Ghana (who was the far superior team), they would have died in the next round. I just don't get how American athletes can be 6 ft. 5 in., weigh 280 pounds (of muscle), run a 40 yard sprint in 4.1 seconds, kick 50 yard field goals, smash a baseball 500 feet, but not KICK A GODDAMN BALL INTO A NET...

Sorry. Now I just have to listen to a) assholes telling me 'hey, the U.S. lost', and b) the rest of this dumbass tournament. Ah well. Switzerland may be through, if they win tonight, so I will have to root for them. Otherwise, this WC has been boring. Though I DO like Ghana...They really are a fun team to watch.

Will post some pictures soon of my trip to Istanbul this past week, and also of my new (used) car! whoo!

U.S.A! U.S.A!

Wow, what a fantastic match yesterday. Where were these guys on MONDAY when we got rolled over by the freaking Czechs?? Anyway, my three top things about last night's game.

1. The U.S. finally looked like a team, and a really good one at that. To play one of the top teams in the world down a man for nearly a full half and be able hold them off, and threaten on occasion, is no small feat. Kudos. Also, and this has been communicated to me by many people, it was one of the better games so far.

2. The Italians couldn't drive around honking horns all nights like idots. Thank you, US, for ensuring a peaceful nights sleep for me.

3. As you all probably know, the US can still advance. The win would have been prefereable, obviously,but Ghana's surprise shellacking of the Czechs keeps us in it. So. You have to root for Italia (who after a brief period of hatred I now like again) against the Czech horde, and then the US has to pull a win off of Ghana. Which will not be easy; those guys looked quite good.

But let's get to the next round; it's all even at that point! It's weird being an american during all of this; we're just TOTALLY outnumbered. Watched the game in a pub last night with a few friends. The breakdown of fans was about 90% Italy, 10% US. But all very fun and civil. Until I defenestrated some rowdy italian lothario...

RESPECT, YO!!!

Word of the day

Defenestration. I was the only person in my french class today who know what the french verb (defenestrer) meant, as defenestration is one of my favorite english words, though one I have not heard or used in many years. For those of you know who don't know, it means "to throw someone out of a window." Same root, obviously, as for the french word for 'window' (fenetre - sorry, forgot the accent, whatever).

So. Next time someone messes with you, tell them to back off or "you'll defenestrate the shit out of them".

it's like 90 degrees here, man...And the freaking germans are out honking horns and generally acting like idiots after their last minute win against Poland. God. Sorry Polish friends. Crappy way to lose; you guys looked good though.

SUISSE!!!

Well, they didn't get a win, but the Swiss successfully held off the French and fought to a draw. Fantastic! Not a win, but not bad either! And a very interesting and fun game. Man. I wish SOMEONE could have beaten those flopping french bastards. I hate those guys. Good news is that les bleus looked like les crap(s), so they'll go down sooner or later...Anyway, more later.

Forward Looking Statements Indeed

Well, after the WORST soccer game I've ever seen, I must humbly apologize to the Czechs after their righteous shellacking of the US. I could only watch the first 35 minutes of the game, and there were moments when I thought the US could actually beat those monsters. Alas, when you SUCK F***ING BALLS, it makes it a bit harder to, you know, win.

Anway, on to Italy. Saturday. Please, US Soccer Team, for the love of all that is holy, beat those guys and stop looking like a bunch of 'tards...

A little spirit, please

Alright. I know soccer can be boring. It can. But you don't know what it's like having to put up with obnoxious Europeans during the World Cup. Flags are flying, sprits are running high, and people talk smack left and right. It's the latter that drives me nuts. People here are all like, 'so. The US. They suck'. They just come right out and say it with no prompting from me, as I tend to be a relatively quiet American. Well, no more...There's only so much of that one can take. So, you stupid european assholes, it's on. There will be a rather large stars and stripes flying from my balcony, just like all you other 'countries' out there. And not because I love soccer, but because we should rightfully be kicking the living shit out of everyone in anything, be it soccer, basketball, going to the moon, etc.

Finally, it's a time to be happily jingoistic/xenophobic; the euros all seem to be doing it, so I thought I'd join the bandwagon. It's fun to succumb to the idea that making fun of entire countries is perfectly acceptable. Which makes it all the more annoying that Americans dont' pay attention to this thing. We can mock EVERYONE and it's OK!! Sigh.

In anticipation of tonight's game (6PM Euro Time, 12:00 Noon EST), I thought I'd implement a 'best smack talk' contest for today's game against the Czech Republic. Here are mine...

"Our forwards are going to roll over your defense like a panzer division on goddamn steroids"

"Czech it out...you are gay"

"And you thought Churchill f**ed you over..."

No offense to any Czech friends out there. I love you guys. Seriously. Now the French...Oh man...That list would go on forever...

Sunday Night Musings

1. Sorry i haven't posted in a while. As some of you (and you know who you are) have been harassing me for more updates, I will oblige. Not much to report. MJR is back in the states for a few weeks, so my place has returned to its former state of 'messy and no food'. But this will be remedied upon MJR's return in two weeks. Hallelujah.

2. I saw the dumbest t-shirt ever today. It was being worn by a great big fat person (props for getting that reference). GBFs are fairly unusual over here in the first place, and i've DEFINITELY never seen a shirt like this... Green shirt. It read "I'm a vegetarian. My c*ck tastes like soy". Classy. Very classy.

3. The weather, finally, has been spectacular. Probably about 70-75 and perfectly sunny every day. I could get used to this.

4. The world cup, so far, has been pretty boring. And i have to miss tomorrow's US/Czech game because i have a french test. how LAME is that? I'm torn. Someone advise me what to do...Anyway, the soccer has been pretty much living up to the stereotype it has in the States, i.e., boring as hell and not a lot of action, though Germany's last goal on Friday night was spectacular. PPK, i'm sorry about the poles. That was a debacle.

Anyway, i'm out. Later on, peeps.

Lapel Button Holes Pt. II

Well, it seems to serve two purposes. DMG was right that in some cases it was used to button your suit jacket. I was also right that it served as an attachment point for various objects (chains, pins, etc.). See below. The question is which came first...

http://men.style.com/gq/fashion/styleguy/suitsandblazers/620

http://www.ravistailor.com/news.php?ItemNo=69