« 2007-12 | HomePage | 2008-02 »
01/25/2008
Big Butter Jesus
On my way to work in the mornings I usually listen to the *Bob & Tom show* on 92.3 'The Fort', Fort Wayne's self-proclaimed *number 1 classic rock station*. One of their frequent guests on the show is Heywood Banks, a local comedian, whom I saw on stage at the Snickerz Comedy Club once.
Today they played one of his songs, which is the kind that you can easily sing along with, and then keep spinning it around in your head for the rest of the day. It's called *big butter Jesus* and was inspired by a statue in Southern Ohio.
13:10 Posted in 06, Having Fun | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
01/20/2008
Mozart at the Embassy Theater
Last night Tom had to work third shift, and my friend's husband had some business to tend to in Indianapolis. So she invited me to go to the Embassy Theater with her to enjoy an evening of Mozart's music, played by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.
The historic (movie)theater had been badly worn, and was in imminent danger of being torn down a few years ago. I'm glad they didn't do that! Instead it was remodeled in the original style, leaving everything as close as possible to what it once looked like.
After the concert my friend and I went for a late night snack, drink and chat to Henry's - an old family owned and managed bar and restaurant on Main Street.
18:00 Posted in 06, Having Fun | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
01/14/2008
Education vs. Genetics
I used to believe, that personality and character are mostly the result of education. So I educated my daughter with lots of love, good example, plenty of freedom, information and explanation whenever I gave any kind of advice or set any rules, constantly communicating in a friendly, positive way - and totally non-violent/non-aggressive.
I respected my daughter as an intelligent, capable, full-fledged person, and treated her accordingly, from the day she was born. With fabulous results. She is everything I ever hoped for her to be. Independent, responsible, able to take care of herself, honest, strong, just a perfect young woman.
Tom's opinion was about the same as mine, in this respect. So the education he gave his daughter (who is 4 years younger than mine) has been pretty much the same kind, that my daughter received from me. Positive, loving, leading by example and relying on information and advice, not using force or restrictions of freedom.
Today we had to revise our views on this. All the best of education will not work, when you are dealing with poor genetic material. You can probably develop good genes into a superior personality by applying high standards of education. But, sadly, even the best of intentions in your education efforts will not help to shape a good character out of poor genes.
When I came home today, Tom was visibly stressed out over something his daughter had done. More than he had been on previous occasions, when she had done bad things. When I asked him, what had happened, he said *What, do you think, is the very worst she could have done?*
.........................That's exactly what she did.
11:55 Posted in 07, Set-backs, Frustrations and Losses | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
01/06/2008
vanity plates
Indiana is a *one plate* State. That means you may decorate the front of your car with anything you like. I like to show off, have something *rare*. So I ordered a custom made authentic German license plate and frame of ebay, and a set of very real looking replica seals to go with it. 
It's featuring Tom's and my initials and the year we first met online. I chose December of '08 for the month our *inspection* is due, which is displayed on the top seal.
Looks awesome!
19:00 Posted in 06, Having Fun | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
01/03/2008
it was about time...
....that I went to have my teeth checked and cleaned for the first time in over two years. I was prepared for the worst, but got away with *only* 150 minutes of scaling and root planing. Two old fillings will have to be replaced in May this year, which is going to be nothing compared to today's marathon session at the periodontist's office.
When my new dentist first examined the full x-rays she had taken, and probed into the deep pockets in my gums, she told me horror stories about bone loss and root decay as the inevitable consequences of my *severe* periodontal disease. Well, this was the first time she saw my teeth - so it's understandable that she was shocked.
The specialist, she had me see, found that it wasn't all that bad - at least my condition is stable (I knew that) and with good oral hygiene after today's procedure, I should be OK for quite a few years.
The two dental offices, I have seen in the USA so far, look very similar to the ones I'm used to from Germany. With one main significant difference: there is no cuspidor. My periodontist explained that OSHA had outlawed those in 1985 because they pose a high infection risk. Makes me wonder, how I survived all those years in Germany.
The other big difference is insurance. Coming from the government controlled public health care system in Germany to the *fend for yourself* system in the USA was an interesting experience. The attention you receive here from health care providers is excellent, but you also pay quite well for it - even with insurance.
18:00 Posted in 05, Getting settled | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this