This is not a normal post for this blog, but it seemed appropriate for the day. A true story. Many years ago, when I was first cutting my teeth in the restaurant business as a server, I was scheduled to work a dreaded Valentine’s Day evening. All the ‘newbies’ got these shifts because all of… Read More A Valentine’s Day Ghost
You, Oktoberfest, are without compare, Overpriced everything, and especially the beer. Drunken Debauchery, in December we’ll do a detox, Fill up on roast pork, dumplings, or a slice from an ox. Fill up my glass, sir, 12 euros is very dear. With girls scantily clad, call it tradition I might add, After a liter or… Read More Oktoberfest: An Ode
The weather the last two days was whacked. It was too warm. The Germans don’t like it that way. It needs to be average. Restaurants with outdoor seating were jammed, managers stressfully trying to unfold and set up tables that hadn’t been clean since October. Bike shops can charge as much as they’d like for… Read More Spring Is Here. This Is not a Good Thing for Germans.
What a week it’s been. You’ve all read the headlines and stories. To end this week, this crazy week, what happened today in Paris was a fitting finale. The whole world was watching the show of force against religious fascism, terrorism, and any other ism you can and can’t think of. Some people believe the… Read More My French Connection, Paris, Sexy Paris
This morning the sky was grey, I think. It was difficult to see though through the even greyer fog. Tis the season of grey, which is exactly how many Germans view their country’s Einheitsfeier, or Germany’s Day of Unity, which takes place today (3rd Oct). Here in Bavaria the feelings of blaise are even more acute.… Read More Germans Love a Day off, even if the Reasons behind it Are Uninspiring
Exactly 32 years ago today, a pear-shaped man named Sepp (Josef) looked at his watch, took a last sip of his coffee, and grabbed his cap. The sun was trying to switch on under a thick blanket of ubiquitous grey German sky. As he was leaving the bakery all he could think about was how… Read More Oktoberfest: A Bad Reception
Laptops And Lederhosen 