I never imagined it could be this bad. Sure I’ve experienced the small run-ins with the radicals or the drunkards and even the sane people, but this is a bit extreme. The following article is all the more reason I can’t wait to see the Yanks notch up more than their fair share of victories in the 2006 World Cup. At no time will I root against Germany; but I can’t wait to hang the Stars and Stripes off our balcony, right there next to the German and Polish flags for our multi-culti apartment.

I just spent the past 2 hours watching University of Texas football highlights with Chance. Ian, Chance’s buddy who went to Tennessee, went to sleep. Teresa played along but began to lose interest by the second hour. We thought about putting the Rose Bowl DVD in for a viewing that would not have made it it’s first, but got distracted by food. Nate Dave and Clint arrive tomorrow. I have a feeling that we will have ample opportunity to re-view the game.

Chance, Teresa (affably known as “Cheresa”) and Ian, Chance’s good friend from Nashville (affably known as ‘Nash’ll’), rolled into Berlin for a 36 hour stint this weekend—all part of the grand break from reality, whatever reality may now be. The honeymooners are in the midst of an around-the-world tour while Ian set a wise precedent by dropping his job and hitting the road, or as Mathew McConoghay would say “L-I-V-I-N”.

“Marvin hat ‘fuck you’ gesagt.” Marvin’s head immediately went into his hands, nothing but denials coming out of his mouth. He had been ratted out by his little sister in the “look-what-he-did’ voice that five-year-olds embody so well. I was taken aback, to say the least (American 5 year olds don’t even know what this word means, how should a German?), but responded with a demanding ‘Marvin…?”. My reprehensions had opened the floodgates of child curiosity. “What does ‘fook you’ mean” the children began to ask. Swearing is a rather common occurance in Germany - no tv rating systems, no “seven dirty words”, its not uncommon to hear a parent using the word “scheisse” while explaining something to her child.

www.pandora.com

Easily one of the greatest websites of all-time. Your own personal radio station, based around your musical tastes. Serious props to J-White for the link!

Sarajevo’s Calling and it’s not as intimidating as I’d anticipated. We pulled into town yesterday and I was warned to keep all items close to my body and to “NOT step off the pavement” for fear of unexploded landmines. No landmines found, but I haven’t touched a blade of grass in 24 hours.

After hitchhiking in the cramped backseat of an angry Russia’s European attempt at an SUV, I reached Vienna, where I hitched a ride with a Hungarian whose levels of politeness reminded me of the oft-missed Southern virtues of America.

It was inevitable. They lost a game. A University of Texas sports team did not win the final game of the season. It’s an odd feeling as a Longhorn fan: losing. I don’t like it but it’s hard to complain. In the past 10 months, Texas has won 4 National Championships.