Ich bin ein Ausländer

OK, so it is probably not the sprayer's native language, so I tend to cut them a bit of slack, but I'm not really sure what this means. Unlike most graffiti with spelling or grammar mistakes, I can't even guess.

Just for thoroughness, I googled "Border Momation, Stop Their Portation!" and got zero hits. I narrowed it to the individual words:

Momation seems to be the same of a rap and/or hip-hop performer (sorry, I am bad with musical genres), who has a channel on youtube.

Wiktionary defines "portation" as the act of carrying something or the act of porting software.

OK, with that information, the meaning still isn't clear.

Apparently "Portation" is also a plugin for the Archos TV+ that streams live TV from your TV+ to a laptop, Symbian phone or handheld Archo 605 or 705 with DVR station. Maybe it is a protesting the streaming of Momation's videos (or more likely, live performances) to mobile devices. But the "border" is not needed then. Unless it is international streaming.

Maybe there is an alternate definition of "Border" I don't know about. Or maybe it is a typo. Border should be Broader or something. In that case, maybe it is a plea to stop distributing Momation's work to a wider audience.

Either way, it is a very specific complaint for a sprayer...

At any rate, after this post is online, at least anyone googling for "Border Momation, Stop Their Portation!" should get a hit.

Labels: photo, street art

So it isn't likely that the common people like me and probably you will be going to the moon any time soon. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, to be launched by NASA later in 2008, will be doing the next best thing - taking your name to the moon.

Unless you are worried about interplanetary spammers or identity thieves getting your name and home planet, then sign up!

Labels: fun

So, for Jeannette's birthday, we rented a convertible and drove up to the Harz mountains to hang out in Quedlinburg and the surrounding area. It's the first time we have ever been in the state of Sachsen-Anhalt (which, in my humble opinion, translates to "Sexy Hitchhike", but you probably won't find that in a dictionary.)



We had a lot of fun, because the weather was perfect for a convertible, plus we just happened to be in the right place at the right time for the tapping of the keg for a spring festival that was sparsely attended, so we got to have several free beers. I was a bit surprised, because Jeannette kept saying "Faßanstich" and I thought she meant "Fasanenstich", and I wondered when the birds were coming out. Not that I wanted to see pheasants getting stabbed, but Jeannette seemed excited about it, and it was her birthday so I was rollin' with it. The free beer was a pleasant surprise. (For the non-Germans, the confusion was between "Faßanstich"="keg tapping" instead of "Fasanenstich"="Pheasant Stabbing". For the Germans, I know they don't really sound that much alike, but I like punning, spoonerizing and playing on words in English, and I decided to start trying it in German, too).

Anyway, we had a great weekend, and would write more but dinner is ready, so you'll just have to wait. Here are some pictures to keep you occupied till then.

Labels: photo, travel

I have been in Iowa for the last few days visiting my and my wife's families & the few friends we still have in state. I have only had a few chances to take the camera out, and yesterday was cut short because I forgot to bring a fresh battery. Oh well. I'll try to get that great shot of the bridge in Waverly again today, and some pictures of the Quad Cities later in the week. Maybe tomorrow there will be some shots in Mason City, where I am going with Textbandit to meet Carrie who is driving down from Minnesota. Should be fun times.

Labels: family, friends, photo, travel

It was a lovely night on December 25th, and we were fairly far from light pollution, so I decided to try to take a picture or 57. This one turned out fairly good for a first attempt, don't you think?

So now you know what the nearly full moon looks like over SE Ireland.

Labels: photo

Happy New Year. I'm late. As usual when it comes to this time of year.

Anyway, here's a sign we saw in Ireland. Take a look. Think about it. Tell me what it means.

Labels: photo, travel

This is way late, and I intended to publish this sooner, but it turns out I lost track of time and didn't get it out the door before the Christmas markets ended in Germany. Despite that, hopefully this will be useful to people for next year, because I think these tips will stand the test of time.

Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) Shoe Tip #1: Girls (and guys, in case the male foot fashion world eventually goes this way in some bizarro world) should not come to the market in spikey-heeled footwear. That is, no stilletto heels. Why? Well, you see, many German market squares, the traditional location for the Weihnachtsmarkt, are cobblestoned. I saw several girls this year lose shoes when the spikey heel wedged between two (or possibly more) cobblestones. In one case, a third party was required to extract the foot. So, just wear something flat on the bottom. It will help after a couple Gluehweins anyway.

Tip #2: Speaking of Gluehwein, one should avoid wearing those brand new, sparking white sneakers to the Weihnachtsmarkt. It is inevitable that someone will bump into you or your Gluehwein mug, and spill its contents onto your sparkling white shoes. Unless you like purple splatters on your shoes, then avoid white shoes. In fact, black rubber boots are probably the most practical. They don't show stains, they won't get stuck in the cobblestones and they protect you from the snow.

There you have it. Two important footwear tips to improve your Weihnactsmarkt experience. Chances are, I'll forget them by next year.