Ultimate zombie apartment

Fiancee and I found a place to live, which is fortunate because that is something we like doing. We are pretty excited as our new place has the following:

-in unit laundry
-diswasher
-space
-balcony

In looking for places I decided that I don't like fireplaces. A cabin is the only place they seem appropriate to me, certainly not immense hotel-like apartment buildings downtown.

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"I hate to say this but if you moved there it would mean the end of our friendship."

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I watched Zombie Strippers with Dave and Susan. Dave described it as the worst movie he has ever seen, and keep in mind Dave actively seeks out terrible things to watch. The movie tries really hard to be kitchy and self-aware but it is just awful. I was spared quite a bit since I was barely paying attention.

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"Wait. There's stripping in this movie?"

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Ultimate season is picking up which means more running which means more soreness. I am still excited to play hard again in good weather. Chicago winters are brutal. Also, it should be noted that the averages of covens are witch means.

The hand what will be slapping me.

That backhand is going to sting.

Notes: It's amethyst because Cass wanted color and both our birthdays are in February. I originally wanted a diamond between two amethysts (the inverse of this) but this came up in my searching and I liked it. The band is platinum because Cass is allergic to the planet.

Things we did this weekend while not getting engaged.

We started a Sunday night soccer team composed mostly of ultimate players. It's been a lot of fun even though we haven't found the back of the net yet. The important thing is that it is a fun group of people out enjoying themselves and each other.

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Apartment hunting is not fun. Not because we aren't finding things we like, although we ain't, but because it is exhausting and dumb. We have developed a set of criteria for a new place to meet so at least now we can focus.

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We went to Ed's birthday party at Buddy Guy's on Friday night and came to the conclusion that we both hate blues clubs. Blues music as a whole is something I would consider only ok and the venues are all dingy, excessively hot caves. We had a good time even though we didn't stay late partially because we ended up standing in puddles from the sweat pouring down my back.

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How I did it:
Cass was napping so I removed a shoelace from one of her running shoes by the front door. I put that in my pocket with the ring. Cass awoke but was very sleepy and in a daze. I felt I had already tricked her enough to get her to date me so the least I could do was wait until she was cognizant to ask her.

We put a pizza in the oven and while it cooked Cass woke up a bit. After we pulled it out Cass was in the kitchen getting things ready. I got Charlie in the living room and tied the ring around him using the shoelace. Then I got him to run into the kitchen by tossing a toy in that direction (for the uninitiated: Charlie is fairly simple).

Cass didn't notice him until I asked her what Charlie had on him. At first she thought I was just playing a trick on him. I asked her if she could tell what was on him. She didn't really answer as she was trying to figure it out and get the thing untied. She began to understand but was asking unfinished questions like "Is it...Is it for my...Did you..." She turned around and sat on the ground. At this point I was already on one knee. She ended up lower than me so I had to kind of sink down into a seated with one knee up position.

I asked the question and she said yes, although she was kind of sleepy still and in a bit of a state of shock. We had Cass wine and dinner while she started coming out of it and everything started becoming clear for her. She was red and adorable.

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And now for texts we got back from people after our announcement. Not all will be posted as we got so many. Thank you to all of you. Your support and joy mean so much.

Keep in mind that the text I sent out read "Cass just got a ring."

OMG! does this mean what i think it means!?
-Becky (Although we got some variation of this from several Damitz was the first to reply at all.) (I thought it was funny that people were confused and asked things like "so are you engaged" as if I would just randomly text them to let them know that Cass got a present.)

WHAT
-Susan

Oh jesus! did the beard give it 2 her?
-Rollins

From you?
-both Andre and Denny (who, it should be noted, have never met)

What????????!!!!!! You asked? She said yes?
-Sonal (punctuation preserved)

Congrats! If its an onion don't eat it
-Gelsthorpe (I am changing your ringtone to a rimshot Tom)

Does this mean you're BOTH off the market?
-Marincic

A wedding ring?? You guys are the most adorable couple ever, seriously. congratulations :)
-Vicky

color me not surprised. congratulations, mang!
-Chuck

Congrats and I call dibs on the "drunk guy" slot at the wedding
-Hagerman

Congrats! So exciting! How'd you do it? I want to hear about it!
-Kristen Turner

Billy Bob Thornton, self-described music historian, considers himself to be equal with Tom Petty.

The above is an interview conducted on CBC by Jian Ghomeshi with Billy Bob Thornton and his band. I'm not listing the band name here. In it Billy Bob acts completely distant and glib before becoming prickish and confrontational with the host. The reason for this is that Ghomeshi's introduction included mentions of Thornton's Hollywood career and Thornton wanted no mention of that. Apparently Thornton believes that his musical career should speak for itself.

What did BBT expect the host to do? Introduce him like any member of the band and have his audience wondering if it was that Billy Bob Thornton?

During the beginning of the interview BBT is just distant and nonresponsive. Instead of immediately bringing up a minor issue he avoids questions and talks about a monster magazine he read when he was a kid. It is important to note that all of the interviewer's questions were about music and the band and never focused on Billy Bob's other career.

It's when BBT actually decides to confront the issue that he genuinely looks like a d-bag. Some choice quotes from BBT follow (with commentary!!)

Would you say that to Tom Petty?
BBT just likened himself to Tom Petty. A few things: first, BBT is nowhere near as talented as Tom Petty in any capacity. Second, Tom Petty should be pissed right now. And third, if Tom Petty started acting it would be appropriate to say he has always been passionate about film (if that were true). The reason it's relavent would be because he is a great musician who is being interviewed in the context of his acting career. Like how BBT is a crappy actor being interviewed about his band.

Ghomeshi then points out that in the introduction he was just giving context for who BBT is and the band's trajectory.

Well there's plenty of context for that.
I can't imagine what that would be since Ghomeshi also mentioned the band's activity in the last year (three albums) and their current tour. Ghomeshi then rightfully brings up the fact that this is a relatively new band (two years) that is getting to tour with/open for Willie Nelson and that the reason the band is getting that opportunity is because BBT is famous. BBT never addresses this completly valid point, because it is accurate and contrary to his delusional beliefs about his own talent, except to say:

We aren't a new band. I've made 8 albums.
I checked and BBT is counting the ones he made with the band. BBT's five solo albums date all the way back to 2001. His film career took off in 1996 after the release of Sling Blade yet he doesn't realize that the opportunity to make these albums probably had something to do with his acting career.

You were also instructed to not mention anything about how this is my "first love." You wouldn't say that to Tom Petty. My first love was a chick named Lisa Cone.
This is idiotic. I'm sure no one thought Ghomeshi was implying that BBT ever wanted to screw music. They then call a truce and Ghomeshi asks about musical influences on the band's record. BBT manages to answer like a prick who doesn't know the definition of the word truce.

It's a mixture of the British Invasion and Hillbilly music, something that I know more about than a band that's say 20 years old. But you wouldn't say that to uh...I grew up as pretty much a music historian so...
This is a classic coward dodge: referring to a phantom expertise with no ability to legitimize it. He wanted to say Tom Petty again too. I don't know if he realized how ridiculous it was or just got lost in a different train of thought. Ghomeshi then asks if there are any bands that are doing what they are doing.

Not lately. Not in the last 30 years.
I haven't heard the record, but I am sure that this isn't true. Every band sounds different but the idea that there are no similar bands in the last 30 years would seem doubtful at any point, but the rest of the interview almost ensures that this statement is purely ego driven. BBT then takes a shot at Canadians saying that audiences in Canada are reserved and calls them:

...mashed potatoes with no gravy.
BBT has obviously never been to a hockey game. Canadian music fans, regardless of how they react in concert, are supporting the bands they see including BBT's. He chooses to lash out at them instead of being grateful.

I never like BBT as an actor/director/writer. He always seemed like a jerk and I'm glad to be proven right. He completely derailed this interview and it became about him instead of the band anyway. The band members were silent during the confrontation and I'm sure felt awkward for most of it. BBT's prickishness however means I am not supporting his career at all which is why I am not even mentioning the band's name here.

Big ups on Ghomeshi for his professionalism and also his demeanor in refusing to back down when BBT confronted him. Big ups on the Canadian fans who reportedly booed the hell out of BBT at the show. Too bad they didn't get the chance to keep doing it since the band pulled out of the remaining shows in Canada because of the flu.

No physical confrontation content

Two tournaments with Buick have come and went without me mentioning them and that is a shame. This is a team that I love playing with for all the right reasons: fun, competitive teammates. Every guy on the team is enjoying themselves and playing hard and I couldn't wish for anything more on an ultimate field. I've been working hard to keep up with them seeing as I'm the grandpa on the team. I feel good and have been trying my hardest to be the smartest player and make the best decisions. I think this is what my position on the field should always be.

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"Buick came here to [curse word] [different curse word] up!"

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Cass and I visited Keith in Madison last weekend and had a great time. New Glarus is still sold there and thank the heavens for that because it made ordering everywhere easy. We did Madison things like had brats and walked down State St. In general though we spent our time hanging with Keith and Jules and it was well worth the trip. Keith is done with school this May. Cass is fuh-reaking out.

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"If you want the real Madison experience you have to go in here and try a veggie burger."

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Cass and I were deadly ill last week. Dave has been sick for some time. Cass doesn't believe that we have the same illness as Dave. None of this matters since unless Armaggedon is here Susan should still be sick and none of us have the right to complain.

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"What were you doing when you were supposed to be getting an immune system?"

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Our collective illness peaked on Tuesday night, unfortunate since that has been our trivia night for some time. We venture up to Cans in Wicker to meet with Callie, Dave, Jen and Jenny as well as waitress Melissa and triviamaster Dan. It's a blast and we are generally competitive. We have yet to finish first while I have been there although we came in second the past two times I was there. I also came to find out that trivia Dan runs the trivia at the Logan Grill as well. Small world Krislin (that is totally not going to get over).

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"How about "The Triviamaster is an [curse word]" as a teamname?"

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J moved to town and I haven't seen him yet. My beard is anxious to nuzzle him.

State and Maine

The week before we left I realized that my iPod was not going to work. It had been acting funny lately but still functioned provided that I didn't dare use my Nike+. This irritated me as it would be nice to have on the plane and I wouldn't have a chance to take it in to the Apple store so they can do whatever they do then charge me $80. Fortunately Cass gave me "Baseball by the Numbers" for V-Day so between that and the DS she got me Cass was doing a fine job to ensure I would never have to talk to her.

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"How's the nerd Bible?"

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Seafood was the order of the weekend seeing as how it's one of like four things people know about Maine (blueberries, snow, and okay I lied three things). Over the course of the weekend we had lobster, crab, haddock, and shrimp. Everything we had was good although we came to the conclusion that crab tastes better than lobster. I still regret not letting Cass have one of my shrimp. It should be noted that in Maine lobster is available at McDonalds. It's called a McLobster.

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"The award for laziest product naming goes to..."

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Jay teaches at Colby College in Maine. We took a tour and it's a nice campus although strangely empty. I know it was a weekend but I've seen ghost towns in Wyoming that were more crowded. That was a joke of course since everyone knows ghosts hate Wyoming.

The school mascot is the Mules. Yeah, awesome.

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"Why are you picking on me?"

"Because I have to go home with her and she scares me."

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I had fun skiing. Cass did not. It was too icy for her tastes and since the run we chose to go on was 3 miles long (literally) she had no choice but to tough it out. She did and I am proud of her.

The hill would be gorgeous if not for the ice. On the way up they said "It's not great and we only have 96 runs open today."

I'm obligated to mention that I fell and hit a tree (technically).

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"He's known as the fun one. I have no idea why."

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Thanks for a great weekend, Valerie and Jay. And thanks to the Palmer Hall residents for watching Charlie. I'm sure he had a great time.

Happy Birthday Cass

Everyone loves you.

House Party 8: The Mystic Boogaloo

Since I last posted here several of my friends have played host to enjoyable festivities. Marty and Megan hosted an excellent Super Bowl party with good eats and better sideshows. I won $1 from Colin on a sidebet because I guessed when a Coke commercial would be on. Jay made awesome wings and we found out that yes, wing sauce does indeed sting if it gets in your eye. The Boss rocked the halftime with a decent (read: not perfect) setlist but unfortunately will be remembered most for assailing a camera with his crotch. Damn, that's a lucky camera.

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"You've got to give it to Bruce. He works hard for it every time."

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Colin, Jay, and Simone hosted a birthday party for our young friend Majetich. There was so much revelry that it took some of the best of us down. Marty and Megan arrived well into the bag and I'm assuming that contributed to Marty's decision to bench press Rachel, who it should be noted did a good job of getting bench pressed. We had a great time chatting about zombies and cheese but had to bail early.

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"God, my husband is so embarassing."

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Brian and Liz had people over for a quieter evening that was no less enjoyable. It was a celebration of their furlough which made me want to wear pajamas. I instead wore my unicorn jersey and felt it was an even trade. Bear managed to spill red wine all over my jersey and socks. He is forgiven. You would have to ask Jay about Simone's status in regards to forgiveness for wine accidents. A feisty game of Trivial Pursuit was won (read: dominated) by myself, Cass, Brian, and Liz. It was really a group effort and we managed to avoid any of the salvo being launched between our opponents.

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"What category did you want to get wrong?"

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I've been working hard to stay on a schedule for fitness this offseason. I have a new Yoga DVD (Power Yoga for Athletes so it's pretty manly) that is a good workout on offdays so I don't have to go to the gym everyday. It's already less crowded there (thank God for fickle undergrads) than it was at the beginning of the year so it wouldn't be that big of a deal but I enjoy the DVD and it's getting nice enough to run outside. I hope it stays this way even though Cass thinks nature is toying with us.

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"Hahaha take that stupid humans."

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Dave and I own Breakin' and Breakin' 2 now so people who aren't us are decidedly not as good.

This is how we raged in 2008

GOOD

Movie: Wall-E
I really don't know what I can say about this movie that hasn't been said. I loved the art, the characters, the story, the voice acting. I can't imagine seeing a more thoroughly enjoyable movie for some time.
Runner-Up: In Bruges

Television: 30 Rock
Tina Fey became something of a darling during the presidential campaign for her portrayal of Sarah Palin but it is her work on 30 Rock that really shows her talent as a writer. The show is smart and fast, which is good since there are enough funny ancillary characters to generate several spin-offs.
Runner-Up: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Music: Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
It's really good music and I feel like I could listen to it with my parents, which is kind of rare for a modern band.
Runner-Up: Eagles of Death Metal - Heart On

Athlete: Michael Phelps
Hooray for big, goofy looking white guys everywhere.
Runner-Up: Usain Bolt (get it?)

BAD

Movie: You Don't Mess with The Zohan
I didn't watch any really bad movies this year. I saw 15 minutes of this on a plane and was unimpressed. It will have to count.
Runner-Up: House Bunny (didn't see it; I dare you to prove me wrong)

TV: Kath & Kim
It is bad and not really in an interesting way.
Runner-Up: The Big Bang Theory

Music: Bloc Party - Intimacy

I don't know what I expected but it certainly wasn't this. The whole album sounds overproduced and there are only a few tracks worth saving.
Runner-Up: Jack Johnson - Sleep Through the Static (Pandora, please stop thinking I would ever want to hear Jack Johnson.)

Athlete: Brett Favre
Remember all that love I had for Favre? It will be a while before I feel that way again.

Runner-Up: Stephon Marbury

Unnecessary Movie Review: The Wrestler

Colin (Last name removed to protect something or other. Ask Cass.) saw the movie the Wrestler along with myself and Cass, who watched the movie with Colin. Colin did not hang out after watching the movie the Wrestler with us but Colin did stick around long enough to watch the movie the Wrestler with us.

The movie is very good. I am interested in watching The Fountain because thus far every Aronofsky movie has been so different and kind of insane in a unique way.

Rourke totally deserved the win for best actor. He was great and totally immersed himself in a role he was probably too adept to play. Tomei was good and Wood was good. The only acting that wasn't great were the wrestlers but they aren't paid to act. Wait...

The story moved well and didn't labor any points. I felt disconnected from a lot of the self-destructive things he did because I am so used to seeing wrestlers do bad things to themselves. Cass was very uncomfortable with certain parts and I honestly can't blame her. The scenes weren't there to show something normal happening. They were to show a guy at his job and that his job makes him do crazy things to his body.

Cass and I both thought the movie might make me cry. It did not. Not because it wasn't emotional or because I didn't feel for the characters. It felt familiar to me because I am a wrestling fan. The movie felt real to me. This is best endorsement I can give.

The soundtrack was amusing because it is mostly 80s metal throughout and then an incredibly beautiful track from Bruce when the credits show up. It is kind of a jarring transition but it fits the film really well.

Overall, it was a really good movie but not because I am a wrestling fan. It was a good movie because it was a good movie.

The Great Lord Humungus will now address you

The holiday season was wonderful. We had a great time with our families and got plenty of resting and relaxation done. I made Cass a gorilla.

Haul:
-Nintendo DS
-the complete Twilight Zone
-Under Armour leggings
-nose hair trimmer
-The Assassination of Jesse James DVD
-some books
-many other wonderful things

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"The guy from Star Wars. Not the kid. Like when you go to the gynecologist. Blank Blank Gee Why En."

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New Year's was a lot of fun. Thank you to Nate and Kate for hosting. We had fun and I got a good book out of it.

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"That is quite the endless parade of dudes."

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We went and saw The Wrestler with NOT Megan and Marty. Full movie review coming.

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"Why would someone put their body through that?"
"I don't really have a good answer to that other than the movie itself."

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We finally developed the pictures from Hallowinona. We won the whole thing. It occurs to me I forgot to mention that.

Casting decisions

It's been a while since I've posted. I've been busy making this post. For real. It took a while. You'll see why in a bit.

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"I don't even know where Asia really is."

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Cass and I went to Milwaukee a couple weekends back. We had a great time visiting with my family. Big thanks to Luke and Katie for putting us up. We also got to hang out with my friends and Cass got to watch me get drunk like a teenager again. She has a story if you want to ask. You should. She loves to tell it.

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"What happened to the legend of Floppy Socks?"

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We had a movie night again, this time featuring the best of "The Last" and the debut of my new TV. We had a blast and it was well attended. Thanks to all who made it out and to those who haven't I encourage participation soon. We will probably make it a monthly thing.

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"Are you all following the subplots in this movie? 'Cuz there's like two of them."

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And finally, what I was building to:

The cast of Brian and Liz, the sequel to Megan and Marty. I meant to get this up soon after the wedding but got delayed. Changes from the original cast were made for artistic/aesthetic reasons. Check the pictures if you got the email (hint Page 29 first two pics) for inspiration. Cass had creative input and editorial approval on all of these except hers.

Brian...Jason Statham

Liz...Renee O'Connor

Colin...Joshua Jackson

Kristin...Alison Lohman

Dave...Ross McCall

Mendy...Rachel Leigh Cook

Matt...Zach Braff

Martha...Shannyn Sossamon

Max...Jason Sudeikis

Simone...Emily Blunt

Kevin...David Krumholtz

Jenny...Rachel Billson

Nate...Michael Cassidy

Kate...Herself

Nate...Colin Hanks

Laura...Allison Mack

Marty...Ryan Phillipe

Megan...Marla Sokoloff

Jay...Adrien Grenier

Angela...Amy Acker

Nicholas...Arj Barker

Rachel...Rachel Nichols

Cal...Charlie Day

Cass...Rhona Mitra

Happy Thanksgiving y'all

There's a place out on the edge of town, sir
risin' above the factories and the fields
Now, ever since I was a child, I can remember
that mansion on the hill
In the day you can see the children playing
on the road that leads to those gates of hardened steel
Steel gates that completely surround, sir
the mansion on the hill
At night my daddy'd take me and we'd ride
through the streets of a town so silent and still
Park on a back road along the highway side
Look up at that mansion on the hill
In the summer all the lights would shine
There'd be music playin', people laughin' all the time
Me and my sister, we'd hide out in the tall cornfields
Sit and listen to the mansion on the hill
Tonight down here in Linden Town
I watch the cars rushin' by, home from the mill
There's a beautiful full moon rising
above the mansion on the hill

Wedding wedding wedding wedding Wedding wedding Wedding

"We, as a group, look very good."

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Brian and Liz's wedding was great. I don't think that group of friends has had a more complete gathering in many years. It was great to see so many people I don't get to see often enough. Highlights for me include:

-best man speech

-DJ's attempted recognition of CPD met by unbridled apathy from the officers

-Cass getting drunk and proudly announcing that she had at least 3 1/2 glasses of wine

-realizing I have friends (plural) who know all the words to HollaBack Girl

-little kids breakdancing

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"So you didn't rally?"

"Does rally mean sleep? Then yeah I did."

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Dave and I started a baseball blog so as not to overload our personal blogs with that stuff. If you are interested check it out.

NL Central Stage

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"Get me some Combos!"

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It's officially the offseason because I have to adjust my schedule to not having things to do three days a week. I'm trying to run or workout every day but having so much more free time when it's dark outside is lame. At least my Netflix queue will see more activity.

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"You guys really have your stuff together."

The precipice

Black man doing his thing.

Oops, I mean black man doing his thing.

We accomplished something historic on Tues. night. I don't think we realize the effects this will have just yet. Cass has said that she hopes that at the very least it will impact young black children and give them a new role model. I hope that it impacts all young people, of course.

People have said that they are afraid for him. Read that article linked above to understand how he feels about it. Rest assured that he is more aware of his challenges than you or I could hope to be.

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"I hope to God he starts his speech with 'S*** just got real.' "

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We accomplished something historic this weekend too in that we won Hallowinona. For conquering the mixed division and defending the Wasteland we were allowed to smash a pumpkin.

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"Stop making so many calls!"

"Stop making so many travels!"

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Brian's wedding is coming up fast. I'm psyched, although we may have some careful planning involved in our attendance.

Was there ever a wedding episode of The Wire? If there was, I hope it's just like that.

The episode of Muppet Babies where Scooter gets spinal meningitis.

I've finally settled back into routine, a revelation that is simultaneously relieving and depressing.

I had a really fun weekend this past weekend. In fall league ultimate I had one of the best days of city league I have ever had. We played with only three guys, which means no subs all day but all three of us toughed it out. Our girls played great as well, especially Cass who had a full speed layout grab that really should have been caught on film. Florida, where were you?

Softball season is over for Cass, Dave and I. We miss this weekend for Hallowinona. It occured to me this past weekend that in a six team recreational league we are the only team out there playing to have fun and play the game. Every other team is playing for the win no matter what. The team we played used the windy conditions to draw walks and used the free walk rule on several occasions. Very few of these teams will even banter with us either. It is a shame because when I do get to play teams that play our style it is everything I want softball to be. When they don't, it is more of a chore than a game.

I subbed for Woody's Tue. night team last night and had the worst day at the plate of my entire life. At least Jeremy was the ump so it was alleviated by trash talk.

Happy Halloween everyone.

Things we did in Europe while not getting engaged.

We walked to the front of the store with water in hand. When we got to the register there was a clearly frustrated customer with her stuff on the counter but no cashier in sight. The woman turned to Cass and began talking loudly right at her. Cass looked horrified and slowly removed her water from the counter, offering a polite "I'm sorry." The woman realized Cass spoke no Catalan and immediately laughed.

Later, Cass remarked "At least she thought I was Spanish."

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Later we stopped at Le Mystery Brick Homme Cafe and Le Homesexual Ninja Patisserie.

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(retelling the story of Cass having an allergic reaction in Bridgeport)

Me: Cass just throw up in the street.

Ollie (imitating Cass): I'd rather die!

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Cass ordered a sandwich in the town of Sitges that had camembear (don't care about sp) cheese that stunk so bad the woman at the next table moved to the furthest end of the cafe porch.

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They have huge racks of these bikes all over Barcelona that resident members of the program can rent out. It's free for the first hour so you can bike across town and drop the bike off at a rack once you reach your destination, or, if you are an awesome dad, bungee your adorable daughter in the front rack and bike her around.

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Cost of pay toilets in the busier parts of Paris: 1 E (Is E the symbol for Euro?)
Cost of entry into Rodin's garden to view The Thinker, other great statues, and a beautiful garden with public restrooms: 1E

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Cass's first try

Caleb's first try.

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Post-trip question that occurred to me: how does Cass deal with planes?

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Our album jacket.

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Cass: You gonna put that story in your blog and smoke it?

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I roamed the streets of BCN searching for a shop with a generic Fabregas Spain jersey. The closest I found was a shop that offered to make one for 30 E. I pressed on, confident in my ambivalence about the whole thing. First souvenir store I entered in Paris I found a generic Fabregas Arsenal jersey for 12 E. C'est bon.

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The ugliest damn bridge in Europe.

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The Louvre is immense and exhausting. A word of advice to anyone going: pick a wing you think you'll like and just try to see it at a reasonable pace. We saw two wings in about three hours and we all needed a nap. There are just paintings everywhere and it is a lot to absorb. Cass's uncle played tour guide and he didn't dawdle. I appreciate wanting to see everything but it can be a bit overwhelming. We did see the Mona Lisa, Michealangelo's slave statues, and the nipple tweaking painting, which are all must sees for anyone visiting.

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Every European: What do you think of the financial crisis going on?
Me: Well it started when we left and I don't watch the news here since I don't really speak the language that well so I guess what do you think of the financial crisis going on?

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The Fountainhead (a pun)

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Oliver: You're gonna start thinking you're a little bit better than your friends when you get back.
Megan: I think that now.

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We didn't encounter a lot of European snobbery or anti-American sentiment. Every so often we would notice glances or sighs but most people were very friendly when they found out we were American. I think they appreciate when you try to speak their language and they get to practice their English. In BCN we were fortunate because my biggest obstacle is mixing up Spanish and French which ends up being a kind of Catalan, which a lot of people appreciate. In Paris, people were genuinely friendly and most spoke at least some English, which was only a problem once.

We were eating dinner in a garden. There were two girls smoking on a bench about 20 feet from us. One came over and began asking for something in French that I couldn't translate. We stood and made confused gestures/noises to each other for a little until a different couple walked by and the girl asked them how to say what she wanted in English: tissue. I handed her a napkin and said "serviette" in French. She said "merci" and wiped the bird poop off her arm before returning to her seat. I couldn't figure out what the problem was because most French people say "kleenex." We asked Cass's aunt the next day and it turns out she was asking for a handkerchief. How many people carry handkerchiefs now? Who am I: Morley?

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Who's that a statue of in the middle of the Parisian street? Oh, that's just George m*th*rf*ck*ng Washington.

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Overheard in a Parisian street by Cass from a couple in an obnoxious American accent: Don't they have any crepes here?
Five creperies within eyeshot.

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Caleb: How does anything get done here with people showing up to work hungover and then taking four hours worth of breaks over the day?
Angela: It kind of doesn't.

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For Dave: What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! Hey!

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Things the French are good at: Chocolate, museums, attractive women
Things they are not good at: cheese, cleaning up after dogs, attractive men

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We stopped by a flea market where Chas Tenenbaum had a booth set up.

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Fun things/sayings we picked up in BCN:
kennel cough - the colds kids get at daycare
claras - half beer/half lemon Fanta; a kind of shanty that's very refreshing
Dave's souvenir - a homemade stegosaurus hand puppet

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We are Americans, and we are awesome.

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Oliver: People always rag on British food and then they hand me this (garlic and tomato spread on bread) for Catalan food and that's when I'm offended.

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"I can't believe we got sick. We never get sick. Poopaloop." She looks at me and she smiles...

So out of it

We saw a commercial last night advertising some huge event on the Disney Channel that featured a lineup of "huge pop stars." They rattled off a list of names and I could not identify a single celebrity mentioned.

I know that the Disney Channel isn't necessarily the apotheosis of cool but it just further illustrates that I am getting older and more out of touch with what is in. I can't help but recall the Simpsons Hullabalooza episode and Homer's flashback of Abe saying: "I used to with it. But then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary."

Susan and Cass both agreed that we were growing away from what was considered hip. I never was into pop but I at least knew who the top acts were.

Who the hell is Zac Effron?

I told Cass and Sooz that the people of our generation at least have the option of becoming a hipster douche and just judging what everyone else thought was cool. I personally can't afford a new wardrobe, and because mine is most certainly not hip it would be necessary to pull the transition off, so I am therefore relegated to just getting older and more out of touch.

I don't really mind. I'll just back out of the room, double middle fingers in the air, and scream "Wildcard, bitches!!!"

We leave for Spain on Tuesday. I'm excited. It's great that so many of our friends are taking off on adventures right now. When we are done we will have to come together and write a book. Jay gets dibs on the beatnik wanderer portion.

Point and laugh

I had an Ultimate tourney this past weekend but it was disappointing so I don't want to go into it, which is fortunate for those of you who don't care to read it.

A huge story in the world of real sports happened this past weekend. Tom Brady went down with a season ending injury to his knee. This made me think of two things: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia starts soon (Season 3 DVD out now! Hell yes.) and the nature of schadenfreude.

For some reason I associate schadenfreude with hipsters and yuppies of our generation. I don't really see it in the baby boomers, although it almost certainly exists. Our generation is defined by cynicism, and for some reason this goes hand in hand with schadenfreude.

I don't have any real good explanation for why schadenfreude exists. I just accept it as being. This makes it difficult to determine if it is wrong. It may just be normal. I don't consider myself above it. I have had my moments.

I think I've decided that I am happier in a world with schadenfreude. If every story about Tom Brady's injury was teary-eyed it would be a cotton ball world that would be far too annoying. Also, they wouldn't allow drugs there.

Suck it, Pretty Boy.

A tactic of considerable power

"I forgot to remind you that the apocalypse is tonight."

"Oh crap. I forgot to study."

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A welcome surprise this weekend as the first ever tournament for Hand Grenade resulted in a 5-1 record with a loss coming in the championship game for the Open B division. I could not have hoped for better out of a ragtag bunch of misfits that seemed like they would never get it together but ended up winning by using a trick play at the last minute. I seriously was so happy to be playing and to see things come together as well as they did was a huge relief.

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"Nevermind information. We're playing roadside Jeopardy now."

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Cass came with me over the weekend and we got to relax a bit at my brother's place. It was nice to have her with especially after a long day of trying to keep everything organized and still keep focused on my own play. She got to play a bit and destroyed a bunch of college freshmen. The bright sun in the cloudless sky could not dissuade them from removing their shirts and showing off their physique. It doesn't bother me too much that they stare at my girlfriend while she wreaks havoc on the field.

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"The greatest trick Caleb's beard ever pulled was convincing the world that it didn't exist."

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I heard Wicked Awesome's season came to an end over the weekend in less than glorious fashion but it matters not. This season was a resounding success on virtually all fronts. Save for a couple weeks in the middle when I was stressed out and not fun on the field this was the best season of softball of my entire life. I have my teammates to thank for that, each and every one of them.

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"You can only break my heart so many times before I stop going through your garbage at night."