World Gin Day

Today is World Gin Day. Don't exactly know what happens on day like today, mass amounts of Gin are consumed I suppose. As for me, I believe I will go and buy myself some knitting needles, and then sit in the park alternating between Graham Greene's Brighton Rock and practicing my knitting.

The outbreak of this new strain of E.Coli has now been narrowed down to the sprouts. Thank god I never eat sprouts, not because I don't like them but I just forget about them, you know? I am free to enjoy tomatoes and cucumbers again.

Are knitting needles considered a weapon upon boarding a plane? An eleven hour flight is the perfect time to practice.

Today is Monday

June 26th, I'll be returning to Vancouver. That's only twenty days away. I'm going back for at least seven months to work on some very exciting projects, perhaps even longer. These past few days, I've been applying for jobs via Vancouver Craigslist, we'll see what turns up. But for now, I'll be back at the Cake, serving cheesecake to the masses and hopefully baking as well. I also begin rehearsals with the amazing Caroline Liffmann, for a new collaborative piece to be shown in August at Dances for a Small Stage.

I will be very upset when it comes time to say goodbye to Goldie Hawn. I love her, she had a flat tire over the past two weeks and she finally got fixed this past weekend. I have been riding her all over on these wondrously warm summer days we've been enjoying of late. I do believe I'm selling her to a friend, a woman named Diana, I am confident she will give Goldie a good home and show her a nice time, this puts me a little more at ease.

Wednesday, I'm joining my friend Veri at community dance class and Thursday I'll be going to a knitting/sewing party. I don't know how to knit but I will be taught. It is possible that Tobi will come for visit this weekend, hope so, that would really make my weekend.

That's really all I have to say about now. Enjoy your day.

Rudi

Hello Rudi,

This is Lina, we lived in your flat during the month of November. I was very disappointed to hear that you have not yet paid Martin the security deposit. You promised to pay him on December 8th, 2010 when he left for the UK it is now February 26th, 2011. We signed a contract, all of us. We left your flat in better condition than we found it. You also owe 40.00 Euros for the supplies we bought to better equip your rental for future guests. Please pay the money, it is absolutely unacceptable that this has gone on so long. I can not believe you have taken such poor advantage of two travelers, you seemed like a very lovely and trustworthy person. I am back in town and am free to come by at any time to pick up the cash. I have also spoken with the head of InterNations Philip Von Plato , he suggested I report you, as he finds this whole situation to be so beyond what he and his social network are really about.

Please let me know when I can come to pick up the 240.00 Euros, Thank you.
Lina

Banannika

One of my best friends in the world came to visit me in Berlin this past week. Annika, or as I like to say Banannika, I explained to her that it's like 'banana'. I then realised that that didn't really need clarification.

I have to dedicate a post to her visit because she threatened me, ha! kidding, just because she's so incredibly awesome. She is one of the few people out there I can be a complete idiot with one moment and then we can have an educated in depth conversation only to turn it into another insane bout of stomach cramping laughter. People like this are very rare and I am just so lucky to know a good number of them.

I am trying to recall just what we did from Sunday evening to Thursday morning. I of course showed her some sights that I have been enjoying myself in Berlin and then exploring some new places that I hadn't yet checked out. I showed her the usual Flea Markets, Karaoke, Turkish Market, Potsdam gardens (which were beautiful at this time of year) and various delicious places to enjoy food and coffee. We also had a look at the Hamburger Bahnhof Modern Art Museum, The Berliner Dom, Templehof Park, and we finished up her trip by going to see The Vagabond Stories at Rufreaktor which strangely enough is in the same building as Javier's Art Gallery (do we remember Javier?? Do we want to??) Overall, a wonderful visit, too short of course but I am so happy we got to connect on this side of the world. In Potsdam, I narrated two ducks having a marital spat for her and she patiently sat and waited for it to be over.

I am now in the process of trying to find an affordable ticket of sorts (train, plane, dolphin, whatever...) to the UK for my next and last adventure on this year long series of adventures. There's some more good people over there that I would love to see one more time before I head back to Vancouver for the next while.

St-St-Stuttgart

I came back to Berlin almost an entire week ago. Stuttgart ended up being so much fun. I met so many lovely people family and others, the weather was divine, and I drank quite a bit of beer. What more could I ask for?

I ended up having a performance as well for an art exhibition/party at Wagon-land, I got really dirty and stayed that way for the rest of the evening but people seemed to like it so I didn't so much mind. There were quite a few hippies at first which always makes me a little nervous but then I was saved by Tobi and his pals and we drank the night away.

A few other things to note, I met my Uncle Thomas and his family, his two sons Raphael and Philipp, roughly my age and just awesome. We all have similar ideas about life, art, politics. I unfortunately only met Philipp on my last night, he's in school at the moment and training to become a film director. Sounds like he's a bit of a work-a-holic actually. I so much enjoyed getting to know him and my last night in Stuttgart couldn't have been better. I felt an instant rapport with Thomas, Philipp and Raphael we didn't have to get through all of that getting to know you chat, which can be just fine, but it was great to know this time it wasn't necessary.

I also spent a lot of time with Jule, my Aunt, again so fantastic to speak with her more and get to know her finally. I have been away from Germany for so long, and the last time I was here and visiting them I was so painfully shy and didn't really say a word. My Mother's Aunts are sure a feisty bunch, I had cooking lessons with Tante Maussi who is 76, I went dancing with Tante Hanni, 72 and I met Tante Irmgardt and her husband 83 and 84. Irmgardt was so lovely, I didn't understand her very well because she speaks a very northern dialect but she reminded me so much of my Grandmother in Vancouver. I have to say they look the most alike, and she was so giggly. I loved it, kinda just like I am.

I made some wonderful friends whom I hope to keep in contact with, a reason to come back and visit right? Also, going to do a little promotion here; two bands I met ( friends of Tobi's) The Vagabond Stories and Fante Howl. Check 'em, Like 'em, Promote 'em.

Updates

I have a sore throat because I keep trying to get away with wearing summer clothing when I should really be wearing Spring appropriate attire.
I do this every year and still after twenty eight years, I have not learned.
I have a very fantastic cousin here in Stuttgart named Tobi and I sincerely hope he comes to visit me in Vancouver in the Fall and we can get our asses down to Portland for a couple weeks.
I have read three books in the last three weeks, two of which have been thoroughly enjoyable, the other was mediocre, at best.
I am learning more German though it is a very slow process, very slow.
I think I will be able to manage a visit to the UK in May. Yay, May.
I head back to Vancouver in less than two months.
I am not sure if Canada is a very good decision at this particular time, what with last night's election results, which is sad as Canada has a very large claim on my heart.
I have cold toes. Don't actually know why because I'm wearing tights today.

You can Tune a guitar but you can't tuna fish.- Tom Robbins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4EoNZQ0reI&feature=player_embedded

Two down, two to go.

Stuttgart, two months ago I was waiting for the day I'd end up in Stuttgart with abated breath. Well, I'm here now. I arrived a while ago, after Paris, Rotterdam, Groningen and Amsterdam. I was relieved to know that I'd be staying in one city for the month, but it just doesn't feel like home. I'm staying with family, my Mother's cousin and his family, wonderful people, though I've not been able to see them very much. The kids are in school and the parents are working. I've seen quite a bit of my cousin, Tobi, he has to be one of my favorite people right now. We have so much fun together. He even lined up a performance for me tomorrow at his friend's art exhibition. It has been about a month since I've performed so I am very keen and eager to get my dance on here in Stuttgart.

Why I'm having problems with German...

I believe I'm staying here for another two weeks and I have to be honest that I'm not entirely sure exactly what to do. I have a few great Aunts that I need to visit, I've already of course visited them but I need to put in some more time. Great Aunt Anneliese and I have been cooking, she is an incredible master of German cuisine and has been sharing some of her secrets with me. My German is frustratingly limited so I am relieved that we are doing something we can talk over, she's got a sharp mind so she would notice if I told her the same stories every time we met. The weather has been beautiful here and Stuttgart is nestled safely in rolling hills with a river running through it. I've been able to steal away to the park and write or read or ponder over things of little importance.


I've met some interesting people I feel are worth mentioning, my other cousin Raphael, he likes metal music and has a girlfriend named Sandra. Linda, a pretty girl that Tobi met last weekend. She's a doll, studying Textiles in Heildelberg. Viktor, a friend of Tobi's, studied English Literature and speaks English so well which is a welcome break from my regular German fumblings. Soon, I hope to meet our other cousin Phillip, possibly tomorrow at the show. We'll see. It's been raining the past few days and I feel a little like I'm in Vancouver. Good thing? Not sure at all.

Unrelated note, I would like to make birthday cards, using photography, the photo to the right is an example.. Bad idea? Dunno.