Smart & Handsome to the Core

Until last year, I had been under the impression that the easiest way to shock inhabitants of the U.S. of A is to ask directions to the toilet. However, last year on a business trip to lovely Virginia I discovered an even easier way.

I was eating an apple*, when I saw faces in a state of shock.



Obviously, some months back they saw a Swiss colleague of mine also eating an apple with the core. I was asked whether all Swiss eat apples like that. I don't know, but at least the smart & handsome do.

By the way, apple season has started. I feel like a fish in the water again.

*I eat about a pound of apples a day.

Appreciation

A year ago I was in the U.S. of A. for the integration of a system. For me, the most unusual thing was that half of the time in meetings was wasted used to praise the good work everybody at the table is doing. This was kind of new to me. Were I've worked so far here in Switzerland (construction & defence), doing a good if not exceptional job is something that is just expected. Receiving appreciation can be compared with masturbation, i.e. DIY.

However today, a VP came to my office and gave me a couple of bottles of a 92 points wine for this job. I was quite flabbergasted. It was even out of his private cellar.



He should have given them to me a couple of hours earlier, before I'd filled the employee satisfaction survey. Though there I did not bitch much about a lack of appreciation but that my caring employer sucks when it comes to diversity. As chance would have it, exactly this VP had no clue what a registered partnership is, when he'd inquired my matrimonial status. One has to teach those brass everything.

Goin' Rogue

Governor Palin may have lost the Vice Presidency, however, she seems to have won some diehard devotees at the Horn of Africa. It's about early adapting.

I Cast My Vote

Not that it counts, but I could not resist to help turning the planet blue.



Global Electoral College

Farwell To Fredricksburg

Tomorrow, I can say goodbye to Fredericksburg, Virginia, the site of the Battle of Fredericksburg. This is good, not because this is a bad place, far from, I kind of like Virginia in early Summer. I just long to get back to Toño. There is no better place than to be in his arms and looking into his eyes.



If you ever make it to Virginia, go to Fredericksburg and have a custard at Carl's. It's worth the trip.

Sentimental at Starbucks

Sine I'm on a business trip, I'm parted again from Toño ... and when I'm asleep, I search for him in vain.

When I come back from work to the hotel here in Fredericksburg, VA, I usually go for a 25 minutes walk to the next Starbucks to sip a latte and enjoy the sunset behind the shops.

So you can imagine my mood when I was cuing for my shot and discovered a New Wave sampler on the shelf, full of music that carried me through my teenage years. Yes, I had to get it - only to drive my sentimental mood into the next level.



Roxy Music: More Than This
The Pretenders: Brass in Pocket
XTC: English Roundabout
Jesus and Mary Chain: Just Like Honey
Tears For Fears: Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Joy Division: Love Will Tear Us Apart
The Smiths: Hand In Glove
Echo & The Bunnymen: Never Stop (Discotheque)
The Cure: In Between Days
Ramons: I Wanna Be Sedated
Squeeze: Another Nail in My Heart
The Psychedelic Furs: The Ghost In You
Generation X. Dancing with Myself
The Specials: A Message to You Rudy
Tom Tom Club: Genius of Love
Elvis Costello & The Attractions: (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding

Turning American

I'm back in the U.S. of A. and my Americanisation is heavily progressing. The newest development - I'm driving a SUV.

The Audacity of Hope

Toño still hopes for change towards Hillary.



Toño fully agrees with James Carville, who has said: "If she gave him one of her cojones, they'd both have two"

Red Meat, Beer & Hooters

I'm in northern Virginia in the U.S. of America. I'm surprised how lovely the area is. Before I came here, my host inquired whether I'm a red meat, beer and Hooters kind of guy. Well I replied that I don't mind red meat and beer, but I've never been to Hooters.



Within the first 24 hours, I've not only been to Hooters, but also to Walmart and Subway - all places, I've never been before. And yes, I had a couple of beers and steaks as well - but those are things I've had before.

Changing Course

We had been exposed to the cuisine of the U.S. of A. for almost two weeks.



It already shows on the waistline. Staring is never an option. However, it must have some impact on the weekend shopping list: