Dear Pechvogel

Dear Pechvogel-

Stop being lazy.

You've got lots to do. Sadly, there is only 24 hours in a day. Utilize your time wisely.

Love,

Yourself in 20 years

Schloss Burg

While my Mom and brother were in town, we decided we would go see a German castle 'in the flesh' so to speak. Because I live at least a five hour drive from that picture perfect Neuschwanstein Castle made famous by the Disney castle, we decided we'd look for something closer to Aachen.


In Solingen, about an hours drive from Aachen is a castle by the name of Schloss Burg. Schloss Burg is an aesthetically appeasing castle situated at the foot of the Wupper valley. First built in the 12th century the castle had an interesting history. In the 15th century Swedish soldiers lay siege to the castle destorying most of the infracstructre. However, it was rebuilt to achieve its glory today. Schloss Burg is the largest reconstructed castle in the State of North-Rhine Westphalia.

However, the Castle was quite a disappointment. Whoever is in charge of maintaing the integrity of the castle and its history has failed miserably. While the outside continues to stand in true historic fashion, the inside has become victim to what can only be described as venture capitalist. The weekend we were there (November 1) the Castle administrators thought it would be a good idea to host an arts, crafts and handmade goods. While there is nothing wrong with allowing local vendors to peddle their goods inside the castle lawn, it is not acceptable to allow them to market their products inside the actual castle! In addition to this travesty, vendors were hanging their goods off of 400 year old tapestry's, blocking the view of many beautiful works of art and more. I'm very disappointed in the historical associations failure to preserve the integrity of such a beautiful castle and an important facet of German/European history.

What is Foreign Policy?

The American Heritage dictionary defines foreign policy quite simply:

The diplomatic policy of a nation in its interactions with other nations.

Interaction with other nations. In my interpretation of this definition (and its just all about interpretation, isn't it?) leads me to believe that someone who has had personal interaction with other nations/states would be better prepared to offer an opinion on foreign policy.

If you don't have this personal experience, I suggest you get some. It's amazing what opening your eyes to the world can make you realize how much you love your home country.

The United States can teach so many countries so many things. However, we can also learn something too. There is more than one way to skin a cat, run a country, peel an orange or however you wish to express it.

Someone who doesn't have a passport shouldn't be responsible for representing us abroad.

Crazy

Life is crazy right now. I've got lots to blog about including my family's recent trip here to visit, my disappointment in Germany's failure to keep a castle in good condition, upcoming trips I've got planned, cultural observations as of late and naturally my apparently lefty political views.

However-I'm swamped with work and my social calendar is full these days. Today I taught ridiculous amounts of classes, went to the gym, customs office and spent at least an hour driving through various districts of Aachen doing all of this. And, still managed to sit with Faye and chat for about 20 minutes and pick up some grammar books.

Life is busy. People speak of recession but I've yet to see that. Work at school is overcrowding our schedules. Economics is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Someone says recession, well all believe it. Someone says growth, we believe it too. Amazing, really.

A Hail Mary?

So Obama won.

Thank You America for not being ridiculous. Thank You for voting who you think could steer a country to the top and not for the man you'd rather have a beer with.

I'm completely amazed at the amount of States Obama carried. Quite surprised. Very interesting that Florida, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Ohio were blue this year. However, very, very disappointed in voters in Florida and California for voting for Obama and then voting to curtail certain fundamental rights of their fellow citizens. Shame.

IF you ever thought for one miniscule of a second that Sarah Palin would have made a great Vice President or (gasp) President-please WATCH THIS FOX NEWS (yes, I'm quoting FOX news here) report on her lack of knowledge about Africa being a continent and not a country.

Prepare yourself here.

Election 2008

Today, the eligible American public will head to the polls across the country to select in a democratic fashion the next leader of the Free World.

Our candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain have spent the last twenty months trying to convince the American public why they're the best choice to lead the United States for the next four years. Billions of dollars were spent on commercials, travel expenses, food and so much more between the two to get out the vote for them. The American electoral process is confusing to many people at home and abroad. No other country has such a prolonged campaign program.

And that all comes to an end today. We hope. I personally am so tired of the election that this day couldn't have come soon enough. The world is watching and hoping that Americans will join them in moving the world forward into the 21st century and away from our classic Cold War mentality, which isn't working.

An economic recession/crisis, out of control war in the Middle East, failing health care, energy costs and the reduction of freedom are all at stake here. Be sensible and vote for our future, not for our past.