Güggen Music, I'm Leaving!

Güggen music Spieler in Baden for Fasnacht

It has started again. The music below are balcony is once again filling the streets of Baden. After Badenfahrt and the huge rock stage below are windows fasnacht (Carnival) seems much quieter. It guess it is all relative.

Fasnacht starts today on a Thursday and the musical interludes (bad marching bands) and excessive drinking last until Tuesday night at midnight. Most nights the stages stay open and the bands continue to play until about 4:00 am.

I always find the costumes of the musicians entertaining. Every time I see a güggen band you always see something different, something new, something even weirder than last time.

I used the evening as an excuse to pull out my camera. No big surprise there I suppose. After seeing some cool photos taken recently at a friends wedding using a flash outdoors at night I thought it would be fun to try to replicate some of the effects with my equipment. The basic setup only requires a hotshoe mounted flash. As you slow down your shutter speed on your camera some really crazy things start to happen with blurred background and streaks of light. It is known in photography as key shifting. I think the effect is good at capturing the party spirit of the Baden fasnacht celebrations.

Lifting Again

Today I hit about the two week mark of my exercise program that I started when I got back to Switzerland. You may remember the end goal is a bike race on June 15th. I feel pretty good so far, I just have to keep up the routine and stay committed.

As part of my routine I started my standard diet. Everytime I go on my personalized diet I usually can lose 3-5 pounds without to much effort, then after that I have to push myself a little. I use what I would call a guilt diet. It is actually quite simple. I keep a little diary. Everything I eat has to go into the diary. If I want to eat it, I have to contemplate if I want to write it down. It is amazing how much stuff you eat, just cause you can. Once I start considering if I should write it in the book my food intake usually is reduced drastically and I lose a bunch of weight without to much effort.

So at the end of two weeks, I am down about 2 pounds which is consitent with the other guilt dieting I have done. I''ve also noticed I'm eating healthier. I much prefer to write 'apple' or 'banana' in my diary as compared to 'Snickers bar' and 'beer'. Lets give in another couple of weeks and see what happens.

Today was a little wieght training, and yesterday was a little cycle training with coach Troy. My general goal is to be ready to hit road sometime in March with the bike and start training for climbing hills. I'll have to get started quickly if I want to be able to reach the top of that 1500 meter peak.

Cleaning House Under the Castle

Baden's Castle at Sunset

I was cleaning house last night. The one thing I don't like to do. But sometimes you gotta do it. Washing floors, cleaning bathtubs, wiping off mirrors. It had been a while, probably well before Christmas since the apartment had had a complete going over.

In the middle of madness I was out on the balcony doing something and I noticed an incredible sunset over the castle across the street. I could tell from the light I only had a few minutes left. I dashed inside, grabbed my trusty tripod and fired off a dozen shots hoping to get just one good one.

I think it turned out well, however, next time I need to figure out how to get that chapel a little less blown out. I think I know how I'm going to do it but it will have to wait until the next fantastic sunset before I can try.

Lenzburg Castle for the Afternoon

Lenzburg Castle

We took a 35 minute train ride today to the town of Lenzburg to see the castle. We've spotted the castle a few times from the train, and my wife had tried to visit with her Aunt in the past but she didn't quite make it to the top.

It was about a 40 minute hike from the train station to the castle. From April through October the castle is open to the public and serves as a history museum. Unfortunately the museum was closed so we just enjoyed the afternoon walking around the ajoining hills.

After about 2 hours of hiking we were both getting cold and it was time to head back. Given the timing we thought we would just miss one of the hourly direct trains back to Baden so we stopped in a small cafe in the old town to get hot chocolate.

The waiter was very easy to understand and spoke very clear German. We were debating if he was a German expat. It is just not that often that you understand every word that is spoken to you.

Tulip Time

Tulips on the Kitchen Table

Tulips are starting to show up the stores now. My wife bought some fresh tulips on sale yesterday. Sometimes when we have flowers I like to take a few pictures just to practice shooting still life photography.

This morning I pulled out the tripod, and a few large pieces of construction paper I keep handy for just such a moment. I set up the vase on the kitchen table next to a large windows. The lighting was perfect this morning because of the overcast skies.

To make the background I set the camera to shot with its 10 second timer and then ran around behind the vase to hold the large sheet of black construction paper. From a make shift home studio I think the results turned out pretty good.

My 200 Game

My 200 Game

I was just downloading the pictures from Warsaw off of my camera this morning. I did get some proof of my fantastic bowling game.

A co-working told me he could bowl 224 on his Nintendo Wii. That is great, but if you want to be a true bowling superstar you need to prove yourself with 16 pound ball. lol

Business Travel & A 200 Game

This week is a little hectic. I had a long planned trip to Warsaw this week for business. After a day of meetings we had a team event at a bowling alley. The first game I bowled a 200! It was unbelievable. I had 3 spares and 5 strikes in a row!

I think that had to be my best game ever.

So two days in Warsaw and tomorrow I need to be in Paris for a last minute meeting that I only found out about earlier this week.

I'm not staying the night, so it will be to and from Paris in the same day. I'm really not looking forward to it because I know it will make for a very long day.

Hiking In the Mountains

Mountain Road Near Goldau

After sitting around the house most of the day yesterday we decided to go out and get some fresh air today. It was really unseasonably warm and sunny. I would guess somewhere in the upper 40's close to the Alps where we went hiking.

I of course was carrying my new camera and all the gear to go with it. As a result I was really working up quite a sweat. I actually took my jacket off and was hiking in just a long sleeve shirt for most of the afternoon.

For the uphill climb we chose a small wooded trail. It was a steep climb. From the looks of the map I think we climbed about 1000 feet vertically. For the trip back down the mountain we decided to take a paved road that we found. It was a nice relatively manageable grade much easier to trek than the wet, muddy trail would have been going down.

Tried to See a Movie Last Night

Last night we tried to go to the local art theater to see Kite Runner. It is playing in English at a small theater just around the corner.

From past experiences we know that you have to go early to get tickets and a good seat. We headed out our door for the 2 minute walk about 30 minutes before the movie was supposed to start thinking that would be plenty of time.

When we got there, there was a huge line, and most people already had their tickets. All tickets have reserved seat numbers so surely the good seats were gone. We stood in line for about 5 minutes before deciding it would be easier to forget it, go home, and just watch a movie at our place.

We ended up watching Lost in Translation with Bill Murray. It was the second time I've seen it, but the first time since being abroad that I have watched it. I think the film was more meaningful to me this time around because I could relate to a lot of the comments and feelings of the characters.

For example they both couldn't sleep at all. I completely understand that. It isn't just about the jet lag, but also the concept of being in a weird environment where you just don't feel like yourself a lot of the time. I can't really explain why, but that is the case.

Another thing that I noticed was the way the main character played by Scarlet Johansson visited places and always positioned herself in her setting to be an unobtrusive observer. Someone just standing in the wings with a look of confusion on her face trying to figure out what is going on.

I'm glad I watched the film again. It was even better this time. I was also surprised to see it was directed by Sofia Coppola. I had not remembered that she was involved in the film.

Ninja Warrior

While I was in the States I found a TV show on the G4 network that I really enjoyed. The first time I saw it they were running a matharaton of Ninja Warrior. After watching about 3 hours, glued to the TV set the entire time I decided it was time to turn it off.

Instead of explaining, I'll just share a clip from youtube.



The good thing is they have a podcast, and a channel on youtube so I should still be able to watch a a few episodes from Europe.

$#%!, Did She Just Say The Building Is On Fire?!

Aftermath of the dryer fire

Three and a half weeks, three and a half weeks since I have used my German.

Today I returned home from work, ready to relax after my first day back in the office. I had just changed out of my work clothes and was making myself comfortable when the doorbell rang. Looking through the peephole I could see my neighbor standing there.

Time to put on the German hat. At first I saw her lips moving, and I heard things that sounded an awful lot like German, but I just couldn't put anything together. She seemed very excited and was talking quickly.

I excused myself and explained that it had been several weeks since I had spoken German, and that I wasn't really understanding what she was saying. She paused, and said in German, I understand, after 3 weeks of no english, I can't speak english either.

She started her story again, a little slower, and with words I understood.

Did she just say the Buildings on Fire!?! Do I run? Should I scream?! No wait, retranslated. I heard the words

• Fire
• Today
• Washmachine
• Fireman
• Police

Es tut mir Leid, weiderholen sie bitte?

Wait, she is using past tense. Oh, wait, there was a fire, this morning, in the basement, the dryer blew up.

My neighbor then took me to tour the damage. To bad I wasn't around for the big event. I bet if she wouldn't have stopped by we would have never known. We just did laundry last night and wouldn't have been in the laundry room for at least another week.

Oh, and by the way, it couldn't have been our fault. The machine that blew up is not one that we use. It is the one used by those dirty, filthy, hairdressers that never clean a darn thing (in the translated words of our neighbor).

Starting Fresh, a Few Donuts and a Bike Ride

Athletic Club at the CNN Center, Atlanta

Today we landed in Switzerland. It seems like it has been forever since we have been here but the traveling is finally over. At least until early next week when I will be running around on business again.

Arriving back in Baden, I of course have starting thinking about that bike race I want to enter. I will have to start training soon. I may even pull out the bike tonight and ride the trainer while I am watching one of my new DVDs from Christmas.

I think it might be a little overkill to get on the trainer tonight, seeing as I am running on about 3 hours of sleep from the flight, but I know if I don't really tire myself out I'll get up at like 3 in the morning and won't be able to get back to sleep. That is usually how I operate while I am trying to adjust to the time zone.

Well for inspiration for my training I took a great picture at the CNN Center in Atlanta while I was visiting my sister-in-law. The Athletic club sponsored in part by Dunkin Donuts. Hey, as long as they don't have any fat, eat as many as you want!

Initech

The last couple of days I've been working out of my old office. It has been a great chance to visit some old friends from work, and friends around town. I have really enjoyed the stay so far.

It is funny how much like 'home' Richmond feels. I was surprised by the feeling of excitment that overcame me when we first began the decent into Richmond and I saw the skyline for the first time in over a year and a half.

Driving around the town and visiting our old haunts has been fun. Buddy's yesterday, the White Dog tonight, and I plan to catch a Renegades game tomorrow.

One of my collegues gave me a Christmas gift upon my return. A very nice Initech mug.

Mmmmmm, Yeah. I'm gonna need to come in on Saturday I guess.

Packing Again

I feel like I am in a constant state of packing. Moving things from this bag to that bag, trying to take only what I need. Moving the least used items to the bottom of my bags so I don't have to continually rifle through everything to find that one loose sock.

Living out of suitcases can get a bit tiring.

Tomorrow we take a flight for another leg of our trip. That means tonight I have to strategically pack the bags again, this time to make sure the wieght is distributed properly.

What a bear.

I will see some friends on the next leg of the trip that I have not seen in over a year and a half so that will be very nice. I am really looking forward to a few small get togethers.

Most noteably a few friends of ours offered to have a cocktail hour at that home for us tomorrow night. It will be a small gathering, 10 to 15 at most. There will even be a new baby that I have not had a chance to meet yet. I am looking forward to it.

On another note, I was doing some math in my head and I am more than half way through my 3 year contract. I can't believe it has gone that fast. It is unbelievable to think we have made it this far in what seems like a blink of an eye.

New Years Resolution?!

Here it is, one simple link.

http://www.frafjordtilfjell.com/hoved.php?valg=0&sprak=eng

A 1500 meter climb to the top.

June 15th 2007.

A friend has asked me to join him for the race. I'd love to do it, I just have to gather the will power to commit. I am sure I can do it, that is not the question. Back in college I trained with another friend for a 100 mile road bike race (Apple Cider Century ride). It was so much fun and I really enjoyed the day. I'm sure this would be a similar experience.

I have to think hard about this one, but I am definately leaning towards doing it, if I can figure out how I am going to get my bike up there with me.

Public Transportation in the US

I am spoiled. I love public transportation in Europe. Public transportation in the US stinks. We all already knew that, but after having lived the life of good public transportation in Europe it is even more disturbing.

Point in case, every major European city I have been to has a 'main train station.' Most of these cities also have a subway system separate from the train system. However, the European cities seemed to have done a better job of planning. All the European cities I can think of at least have a connection in the main train station to the subway lines.

Paris, Zurich, Munich to name a few. These cities were founded centuries ago. How is it that a city like Chicago, can have a big train station like Union Station that is a 5 block walk from the closest L line? That makes no sense. Then again, I suppose Americans in general never understood, or cared about public transportation so maybe in reality it makes perfect sense.

Hmmm, I guess I shouldn't gripe about the US system, it is a waste of time and in my opinion will never be fixed in my lifetime. We are just too dependent on personal transportation like cars, and motorcycles.