Thursday, raining
Today is beyond glorious. Grey, raining, and with a high of 60F. Even Germans wonder about the weather.
There's a strong possibility that my readership, if it can be called such, might actually extend beyond 4 people. It's hard to be certain, because of the low comment volume. I wonder about that sometimes because I encourage it and it's basically the same thing as sending me an email. I've also been rather politically opinionated lately which seems to discourage commentary as well. I wonder about that too and sort of bemoan that Americans have long lost the ability to have a political discourse. If you've got the temerity to pull a lever and offer some guy (or gal) a politically elected position, you should also have the metaphorical balls to at least explain your reasoning behind it. Why your presidential vote should remain a dirty secret to be discussed among boors who can only reinforce each other's opinion is beyond me.
Politics is my main mode of keeping in touch with America these days. I've never been much on the national (gossip) news and started following politics toward the end of the Clinton era. I think the turning point was my own uncertainty about exactly who Al Gore was. Now that I know, he doesn't seem so sure.
I seem to have started a bit of a count-down for returning home. It feels premature and hasn't yet reached "written on the calendar" status, but there are definite signs. Walking into work this morning I was thinking gee, 17 months left. Somehow it seems very different from saying 2 years. I have a August-September vacation coming up, an October trip home, a December trip home, and then it's down to 2008 where I have to "officially" notify of my intent to return, take a couple more vacations, maybe a busineness trip home, October home, sell my car, end my apartment lease, get rid of all the furniture and German voltage appliances I've acquired, and then done. Hard to believe I might actually speak pretty fair German by then but stranger things happen all the time.
Comments
Since you want a stand- I'll take one; although it's not political. I do read your blogs several times a week & I disagree that leaving comments are like sending you emails. My emails to you are to YOU, not to the blog community. I take the time to email you about local events, gossip,life happenings & general chit-chat: because you are my friend & it's important for me to stay connected to you while your in Europe. While I appreciate your blog as a more immediate way to stay connected to you (especially with the time difference) & your everyday events, I am of the opinion that it DOESN'T take the place of personal one-on-one communication. (ie. personal emails, phone calls, cards, letter etc)
Posted by: Jodie | 09.08.07 14:54
i have always been jealous of guys with metaphoricaly larger balls than me! oh well, i have been endowed with other things i suppose! :))
rain huh? i believe in greenville we would take your rain and your temps. all time record high for the month of august: 104F, 39C
Posted by: dave ridings | 09.08.07 15:39
Funny how the "clock watching" mentality starts to sink in. We all fall victim to it occasionally. Soon you will realize that whether in Germany or Anderson, you will still "watch the clock". I find that when my mind wanders and I wish I was somewhere else, I read your blog. I am amazed and somewhat envious of the commitment needed to pack up and move to a foreign country for 2 years. Wish I could make that commitment. Current circumstances now prohibit it. I also wish I had been smart/brave enough in my youth to do that. I, like cheap wine with a screw on cap, do not get better with age, just older and bitter.
I enjoy your take on politics. I have felt that most people vote one way but say something different. Seems that we expect integrity from the candidates but fail to practice it ourselves as a whole. Personally, I never vote for an incumbent. I believe "public service" of this manner is not a career choice. My high school guidance counselor didn't give me this option. When incumbents tell us to re-elect them so they can finish the job they started (or something like that), I say "NO!" If I performed like that at my job, I'd get fired. Trust me, I've tried it.
Enjoy your "remaining" time there.
Posted by: Mike H | 09.08.07 16:19