I see that the gate is wide open…10 euros says I get a doorbell ring from the wanker telling me to shut the gate tomorrow. I didn’t come in through that gate, so I know this isn’t my fault. I may get the chance to say “vaffanculo” and wag a finger at him tomorrow…I’m going to practice my finger wagging!
I can’t stand riding elephants…
So I’m making friends with the pizza man across the street. He speaks a bit of english, and I go in tonight, he makes the pizza and as we’re waiting for it to cook, he decides to ask me an english question..
He rips out his phone and plays an mp3 for me…then asks me what the first line means. I didn’t get what he was asking at first so he plays the song again…The first line was something like “I can’t stand to fly”…He wanted to know what “can’t stand to…” means.
So I hem n’ haw as I do when I don’t quite know how to answer. I gave the example of – “If I said I can’t stand pizza it means I don’t like pizza”. He’s happy with the explanation…
After taking my pizza and eating I realize that – as is common in english songs – there is probably more than 1 meaning…How does one explain double entendres?
BTW – What exactly is the opposite of standing?
I can’t stand to sit.
I can’t stand to walk.
I can’t stand to dance.
I can’t stand to rickshaw.
So now I guess I have to re-explain everything next time I go in….This happens all the time. I’m always unprepared and screw up when answering a question for the first time.
Italian korinthenkacker…
I found the nuisance man in my complex…which is kind of amazing since there’s only about 6 occupied units out of 40 (this being a beachside town it’s full in summer, but dead in winter).
Old man was bothering us when I moved in, and tonight rings my bell to speak to me in Italian…I said “parla l’inglese?” on the phone buzzer thing, but he didn’t respond. Basically all I got was the word Terrazzo (terrace/balcony), so I go out to my balcony to see him standing by the gate. He wanted to show me that is was unlocked. I’m not sure it was my fault, but he stood there opening and closing the gate like an idiot. Said something more in italian and then waved. jerk!
I die inside a little bit everytime he talks to me…DUDE…go tell your wife (yes he’s married) she’s doing something wrong, or wearing something wrong, or drinking too much and stop bothering me!!!
As far as the title…korinthenkacker is my favourite german word…Here’s a definition:
korinthenkacker A “raisin pooper,” that is, someone so taken up with life’s trivial detail that he spends all day crapping raisins. You can spot these types a mile off; just look around the office-it’s that irritating pen pusher or filing fanatic whose favorite job is tidying the stationery closet.
…and on a completely unrelated note. Great recording from one of my favourite artists.
heat and warm water
It turns out there are two valves that need to be opened before the gas works…
So, I have warm water and warm heat now 🙂
Blankets are now less important…
I need a beanbag.
I signed the contract for my new flat tonight. My plan was to come home and have a pizza from the pizzeria across the street. It was closed. The alimentari (small grocery that sells meat and cheese) was also closed…There will be no dinner save wine tonight.
Adventures in moving.
So in 4 trips Friday/Saturday I got everything moved (thanks Daniele and Jenny!). I was expecting a few things to be here that aren’t. No blankets, no iron/ironing board, no gas (which means no heat and no hot water – ouch!), no towels, no wine glasses, a shortage of plugins…I guess that’s it. Am meeting the agent tomorrow and will find out when the gas gets turned on. In the meantime it’s kind of chilly and there’s mosquitoes in here. I took a cold sponge bath today…awesome!!!
It is quite nice here tho. I’m enjoying my new place. There’s lots of birds and even some roses along the walkway. I forgot what they looked like.
Spent about 3 hours today cleaning the old place. pain! Â Cleaning is my specialty.
Now I’m just tired and sore, but there is a nice pizzeria across the street.
off day!
So a more complete image set is located here:Â http://www.joesquires.com/western-north-america-october-2011/
I have yet to tag everything, but there you go..
It was really nice when I arrived yesterday, but turned cold last night and today. I actually turned the heater on.
I have today off to deal with jet lag…but I feel pretty good.
back to Seattle…
..and we end up in Seattle watching some great bands at the Funhouse. Which is right under the space needle, yet still a dive!
San Fransisco, CA
First time in San Fran. Loved it!!! Great city. I think I could live there if I was rich. A bit too much driving for our crazy schedule. Gotta plan those road trips better me thinks 🙂
Saw Fillmore Slim (at Blues n Biscuits) who it turns out is sorta famous.
http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/snoop-dogg-to-topline-fillmore-slim-biopic/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fillmore_Slim
The food at that place was outrageously priced…I paid 20 dollars for Jambalaya…Don’t eat there if you can help it. Food was OK for a street corner, but it was by no means gourmet.
I think we in the city about 36 hours which is not enough. I’d love to get back there sometime soon.
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- I think that’s the Golden Gate. This was as close as we got.
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- Bay Bridge
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- show me pensive!
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- Alcatraz
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- Filmore Slim at “Blues n Biscuits” blues club.
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- Filmore Slim
Coos Bay, OR
Did one night in Coos Bay. Weather was absolutely fantastic!!!
We arrived midday. Flirted with a waitress at lunchtime. Drove around. Discovered we had a bolt in one of the tires. Had it fixed at Les Schwab (great service as usual), went to a divey bar to play pool, then the casino.
