the weekend that was

I went to Pilates class on Saturday. It was pretty intense, I don't know if Pilates is that demanding or I'm that out of shape.

I started reading "The Broom of the System" by David Foster Wallace. I haven't read any fiction for a while. The last book I read was "The Kite Runner" which was also a book club selection.

I've also started memorizing the list of Presidents. I can go from William Henry Harrison to G.W Bush.

Mary has been working on painting the bedroom and I've helped here and there.

Jeopardy Tryout, Chicago,IL April 2005

Went to the Jeopardy tryout at Navy Pier last Saturday morning.
I left home around 7:45 and had parked the car right off Lake Shore Drive by 11 am.
There were about 60 people trying out and only 5 made the cut.
I'll try again next year.

I'm been listening to some Booknotes interview from Brian Lamb of C-Span. So far I've gotten through interviews regarding T Roosevelt, McKinley and Harding. The Harding interview was entertaining. I think Lamb knew more about the subject than the author, John Dean of Watergate fame. At times Lamb would ask questions about Harding, Dean would stumble and stammer and then Brian Lamb would provide the answer to his own question.



changes in the neighborhood

We have a new neighbor at last, Hooray.
She's not moving in until June after some repairs are done on the house. It's been vacant since Mr Stuey split last October. The "for sale" sign is still in front and the realtors lock remains on the door. She owns a dog that looks like Rex and she seems a bit friendlier that the past residents. My strongest memories of Mr Stuey are the sounds of multiple motorcycles being revved up at all hours of the night. It wasn't that bad but every now and then we'd be treated to a burst of Motomayhem from the garage next door. I'm glad those days are over.

Ogden Nash seyz

From "Lines in Praise of a Date Made Praiseworthy Solely by Something Very Nice That Happened to It", by Ogden Nash:

"As through the calendar I delve
I pause to rejoice in April twelve.
Yea, be I in sickness or be I in health
My favorite date is April twealth. "

Tomorrow, April 12th is my birthday and I have no idea why Ogden Nash favors it for he was born on August 19th 1902.

The only two things I remember about April 12th is that
1) FDR died on this day in 1945
2) It's also David Letterman's birthday who was born 20 years before me and grew up in a house not far from where I live in the Broad Ripple area of Indianapolis

12 years in Indianapolis

On March 29, 1993 I started working for MSE Corporation at 941 North Meridian Street as a Digital Conversion Technician. I had moved here from Columbus, OH the Friday before. It's interesting to consider what has changed in the workplace in those 12 years. I had barely heard of the Internet and there were probably two people out of 300 at MSE who had access to the .Net. I had no email, no voice mail, no MP3s and my first work computer was a UNIX based machine that ran Intergraph Workstation.

Worst song ever; I'm so happy!

Driving into work today I heard Starship's "We built this city"

Hands down, this is the worst song ever created in the history of mankind.

I'm so grateful to WKLU 101.9 here in Indy for rolling out this stinky turd of a tune.

It represents the worst of the 80's, cheesy keyboards, inane lyrics and over powered bass line that I find personally offensive.

All the worst lyrics ever:

Someone's always playing corporation games
Who cares they're always changing corporation names

Isn't this band Starship itself a corporation living off past 60's glory cranking out schlocky Corporate rock and chaning its name: Jefferon Airplane >> Jefferson Starship >> Starship.

Listening to this song is like watching "Death Part III", it's soooo bad you can't help listening to it.

I just found this link which confirms my opinions.

Worst Songs ever

another day, another blog

It's gotten cold again here in Indianapolis. This Sunday was pleasant except we had to replace our dryer vent. Typical comedy of errors involved when I pick up a toolbox. the list of casualties: broke a window in the basement trying to get into the crawlspace, smashed wife's fingers while she was in said crawl space and I was on opposite side of the wall trying to will the vent attachement into its place. No I wasn't kicking the attachment in, I never force anything. I would do no such thing.

During the last repair miss-adventure I almost fell through the drywall in the garage trying to inspect a leak on the roof. Fortunately I only bent the ceiling out of shape and did not crash onto my '92 Saturn parked below.

I just ordered 3 old Genesis CDs off of Amazon. I got tired of waiting for the tracks to appear on itunes. So soon I shall be in possesion of Nursery Cryme, Selling England by the Pound and Foxtrot. This is from the "tea and crumpets" phase of the band with Peter Gabriel doing the main vocals, Phil Collins (before he became an annoying pop star) on backing vocals and drums.

Some of my favorite films

I've been living in DVD land the past few weeks. My wife took a trip to Israel and had to attend a funeral in Los Angeles leaving me plenty of time to veg in front of the big screen TV. I've watched some old classics such as "Animal House" and "Easy Rider" and even checked out a a copy of "Home Alone" from the local library. My favorite retro-trip was "Midnight Cowboy". This movie rocks. Something about seeing New York City, 42nd street, alienation and good acting appeals to me. I saw the movie on my parents VCR about 10 years ago and it was interesting to see what I had remembered. In one scene, Ratso and Joe Buck are freezing in their decrepit dwelling dancing to the song "Orange Juice, on ice, it's nice..." It really captures the whole idea of being stuck in misery and finding the right tune, the right mood to propel you out of the yuckiness of life....

oh my

I have not made a blog entry since December 22nd 2004

It's been a while, almost two months.

I could have been done with my summer journal of 1978 rebroadcast by now.

My latest project is taking an online writing course at:

http://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/

It's gone well so far, I've gotten through three sessions and I enjoy what I'm doing.

Otherwise not much has transpired over the past 2 months. We still have the same 3 cats and dog. Sadly, Mary had to go to Los Angeles for a funeral last week. Her cousin Mark, who was only 46 years old died from a viral infection.

Life is fragile, keep writing, keep talking

regards

-- Joel

Monday July 24, 1978

Today I woke up at 7:00 at breakfast when we decided to go to the Schilthorn. We went down to the Train Station and took the train down to Zweiluetschinen and then got on another jam packed train to Lauterbrunnen. Then from Lauterbrunnen we took a very steep Bergbahn to Grutschalp. We then took a train from Grutschalp to Murren. We then took a Luftseilbahn up to Birg. Then we changed and went on another Luftseilbahn. We finally got to the Schilthorn at 9:15. The Schilthorn 9,748 ft above sea level the place of the "James Bond Movie Her Majesty's Secret Service." The weather up there was not as good as it was at Jungfraujoch. But everyplace else was clear. I took a lot of photos. I don't think it's as good as Jungfraujoch. Maybe its warmer and more comfortable at Schilthorn. It's not as spectacular. The feeling of being up at 11,333 feet is great. When I compare both views from each one they are about the same. We then got down to Murren where we looked at the Alps and ate. The Alps were beautiful down in Murren. It's better than Grindelwald. We then went to Lauterbrunnen where we looked at the falls. We got back to Zweilutschinen and got back to Grindelwald. I then goofed around until we ate at 5:30. After that I played Monopoly with Andrew and Dad and I lost again! The standings are Dad 6-4, Me 8-14, Andrew 8-14. That's my 9th straight loss. Darn it! I went to bed at 9:15.

Tuesday July 25, 1978

Today I woke up at 8:00. I went to get bread and then I ate. We then goofed around until 9:30 when we went down to the train to Interlaken. When we finally got down to Interlaken we met Grossmutter and Grossvater and David and Kathi. They came here at 10:45. We then ate in Interlaken. We then hiked around Interlaken. We went to an ice cream shop. After that we went down to the train station at 1:00 and took a ship down lake Thun. It was a nice 2 hour ride to Thun. We got there by 4:00. We then went to get something to drink in Thun. We then took a train back to Interlaken Ost. We waved good bye. We got back to Grindelwald, we got back to Grindelwald. We got up to the apartment at 6:00. We then ate at 6:30. I then goofed around and then washed the dishes. I then took a bath at 8:00. After I finished my bath I goofed around and looked at the Hiking map. I goofed around and went to bed at 9:38.

Wednesday July 26, 1978

A month ago we were on the plane to Zurich. I woke up at 7:30 today and got bread with Dad. Mom and Andrew were still asleep when we ate breakfast. We then went down to the Firstbahn where the line there was a mile long. We finally got on the Firstbahn. We went through the stations Oberhaus, Bort, Egg. We hiked to First to Bachalpsee. In pictures of the place it has 100% water. When we were there it was about all ice. We then to a difficult hike. Coming down on one place was very dangerous the descent was steep and had a lot of slippery gravel. But we made it. It was even worse than the hike to Stieregg on Thursday July 20. We then went down through Allenfluh and went back to Grindelwald. Dad and I then went downtown. I got some colored matches and some film. I'm really spending a lot of money on photography. I then went up and goofed around until I ate at about 5:30. I then goofed around and set up the Monopoly game while Andrew and Dad washed the dishes. I won at last! Ending a nine game losing streak. I'm now confident of winning seeing that I have won for the first time since Monday the 17th. Dad and I plan to go to Kleine Schidegg by foot tomorrow or Friday. I went to bed at 8:30.

Thursday July 27, 1978

Today I woke up at 7:30 and got six gipfelis. I then ate. We then went on a rough hike across the face of the Eiger. The path had stairs and ladders but that was no problem. It was a beautiful hike. There were hardly any people on the path. We could have made it Alpigen in an hour and a half but we had to wait for slow mother. We drank some water from the glacier it was delicous. It really wasn't a hard hike but it looks like one. The beginning of the hike is hard and rough but after that it's easy as pie. When we got to down to Alpigen at 1:30 we went down to Grindelwald. We got down there by 2:30. We then wen to the Co-Op to get ice cream and Citro. We then went to the Sport Center and gome some posters. Their pretty cheap for 3 francs. Andrew got one of the Eiger. I got 2. One of the Schilthorn and one of the Jungfraujoch. I'm really spending money. I use to have 80 francs and now I have 50. I then went back up. I was really sweating. It's hot as anything. I then drunk Citro and took a nice nap. I got up at 5:15 when I ate. My legs and shoulders have been stiff all day. I then washed dished with Dad. I broke one glass. I then played Monopoly with Andrew and Dad. Andrew won again. Dad is now on Dad's third straight loss. I took a nice warm bath but my legs and shoulders are still stiff. I went to bed at 9:15.

Wednesday July 19, 1978

Today I woke up at 7:00. I goofed around until Dad woke up. We went to get bread but again they didn't have and gipfelis. It's been cloudy and rainy all day. But we reserved six gipfelis for tomorrow. We then ate breakfast. Dad and I went in the rain downtown, we mailed our postcards. Yesterday I wrote postcards to Joe, Brad and Bobby. We then got the Herald Tribune. We went to the Sport Center. We got a visitors card. We then hiked back up when I played Monopoly with Andrew. Andrew had a great Monopoly but I beat him. I had a cheap Monopoly. I then ate lunch. After lunch I read and tried to sleep. I couldn't sleep. I then played Monopoly with Dad and Andrew. Dad won but Andrew lost for the 7th straight time unofficialy. I then goofed around and read. Today's been a rather boring day because of the thick clouds and rain. I then hked up Terrassenweg with Mom and Dad. We returned at 5:00 when I read and ate at 6:00. Dad and I then washed the dishes. After that I read my book. I'm almost done with it. I went to be at 9:15.

Thursday July 20, 1978

Uncle Bill moved to Florida today

It's been five weeks since I started writing this journal. I woke up at 7:00 today. I then woke up Dad 7:10. The sky in the morning was so-so. We then got gipfelis. We saw fireworks. I can just wait. I'm going to spend a lot of money on fireworks. Then we went back and ate breakfast. We decided to go to Ober Gletcher, Pfingstegg. We decided not to go to Ober Gletcher. We started out at 10:00. We then hiked to Pfingstegg after hiking part of the Ober Gletcher. We then decided to go to Stieregg 1,000 feet above Pfingstegg. It was a rough climb. The path was marked and dotted red meaning only experienced mountain hikers and people that wear the right kind of shoe should go there. Going up just about one slip would be fatal. It was a dangerous hike. But we made it. Wehn we got there at 1:30 we had a little bit to eat and then came back down that was even worse and hard. We then hiked down to Grindelwald. We got there at 3:00. That was a good 5 hour hike. We then got 4 bottles of Citro and went back up to the apartment. I then rested. I then ate at 5:30. It's being to get all clouded up now. I doubt we will hike tomorrow but you can never tell. I was reading an article on the Russians. There has been great disagreement. The Americans and Russians have a war of the mouths. There like babies. If the Soviets do something the Americans don't like the Americans do something that the Russians don't like. Someday someone will press a red button and that will be it. I then set up the Monopoly game while Andrew and Dad washed the dishes. We played and Dad won again. He's just lucky. Andrew lost his 8th straight game. I went to bed at 9:30.

Friday July 21, 1978

Today I woke up at 8:00. Outside it was an ugly looking day. Dad and I went to the store and got bread. We then ate breakfast. After that we played Monopoly. Dad won again. Andrew was in last place. Andrew and I went to the little store. We went shopping around for fireworks. We wrote a list of what we wanted to get. When we added up the prices the cost was very high. About 65 francs. We then went back when Andrew and I played Monopoly. We had to have a stalemate deadline we had so much money. So before the deadline I traded. I think that was a mistake. I could have had more money. Meaning that I would have won. I then ate lunch in the middle of the game. Andrew set a new record for money with 230,000 Francs. We then went swimming at the sport center. They didn't have any badminton courts. But we went swimming. They have the weirdest system you have ever saw. We then came back at four while it was raining. It's too bad that we haven't had good weather lately. We hope to got to First tomorrow. I then read the patper and ate. After eating I washed the dishes and then played Monopoly. I lost because I made a stupid mistake. The game is 99% luck. But when it came to skill today I stunk. The standings are now Dad 5-4 at No 1. Andrew and 5-13 ending his 10 game losing streak. Me 8-10 losing 5 straight. I went to bed at 9:01.

Saturday July 22, 1978

Today I woke up at 7:15 and then got gipfelis with Dad. We ate at 8:00. We then took the chairlift to First. It was pretty cloudy up there. The ride takes 30 minutes. We then hiked to Gross Shidegg. It was an hour and a half hike. It was fairly easy. We then went to a lake in the middle of nowhere. We couldn't find the way in there. We finally did. We had even more trouble when we couldn't find the way out of that stupid example of a labyrinth. We then had to walk on cowpaths. It was not a path but if it was a path it was a heck of a path. We really were in a farmers pasture trying to get out. It was muddy. It was terrible. We finally found the way out. We came to a civilized path. We finally got on the right path and got to the apartment. We then hiked downtown where we got Citro and hiked back up. I then read the Herald Tribune. After that I played Monopoly with Andrew he won again. After that we ate. Andrew and Dad played Monopoly with me. Dad won, that's my sixth straight loss. I went to bed at 9:00.

Sunday July 23, 1978

Today I woke up at 6:10 and then woke up Dad we started hiking at 6:30. We went through Oberhaus to Bort. We saw the stationmaster go up to the station. We rested there until 7:45 when we hiked back down. We got back at 8:10. When we ate breakfast. Dad then went to church when Andrew and I played Monopoly. Andrew won again. When you lose a lot like I am you feel that it is not possible to win. I then went downtown to myself. I asked for a 126-20 film in German. However the guy at the counter knew that I spoke English. He said that he could understand what I said in German. I then went back up. I then ate a little lunch and I took a nap. I slept for two hours. I woke up at 4:00 when Mom and Dad came back from their little hike. I then looked at the Eiger to see if anyone was climbing. Last night Mom and Dad saw a light from the Eiger but it could possibly be the train light. I then ate at 6:00. After that I washed the dished took a bath and went to bed at 8:35.

Tuesday July 18, 1978

Today I woke up at 7:40. I goofed around until Dad got up at 8:00. We then went to get bread. There were no gifelies left. We saw some fireworks. I can hardly wait until Swiss Independence Day. We then came back and ate breakfast. I'm now reading Blackbeards Ghost. After breakfast I read. We then went on a hike to a glacier. It was spectacular. I took a lot of pictures. We then hiked up above a Gorge. It was a nice view going across the bridge. We then got back to Grindelwald about 12:30. We got the Herald Tribune and some postcards. I went back by myself. It's a very hard climb back with the ascent. No matter how you are. You feel like sleeping when you are going up. When I got back I ate. I then played Monopoly with Andrew and Dad. Dad creamed us. I only had 5 properties. But Andrew came in last like he has in the past 3 out of four games. Dad once was in last place. I then read and rested. Then I played a racing game on the Monopoly board. It eventually got boring. I then ate. After eating I set up the Monopoly game while Andrew and Dad were washing dishes. I then beat Andrew and Dad again. Andrew hasn't won yet. Dad came in last. In Grindelwald there are a lot of Japanese people. I saw a Japanese lady writing in Japanese at the train station. You also see a lot of Japanese grafitti and people up at Jungfraujoch. In the Monopoly games Andrew against me. I am 5-3, he's 3-5. Between Dad and Andrew and me, I'm 3-2, Andrew 0-5 and Dad 2-3. Overall I'm 8-5, Andrew's 3-10 and Dad's 2-3. I then read. I went to bed at 9:35.

two books I would like to read when I get the chance:

The Colombo Bay

Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players

Zürich Hauptbahnhof, Zürich Hauptbahnhof

probably the busiest train staion in Europe here are the webcams:

Zurich Hauptbahnhof

I can remember being at the station looking at the departure boards with my Dad in the 1970's and looking for the most exotic destinations. Once we saw a listing for a train headed to Moscow. We ran down to the platform and there was the train to Moscow, actually only about 1 car was going all the way there. It was pretty cool to look at considering this was the cold war and all.

Thursday July 13, 1978

Today I woke up at 8:00 and read my book. I then ate breakfast. After that I read my book and was almost finished when I went with Dad. We went to a market. I took a couple of pictures. We then went home. I then finished my book. It was a good book. We then left the apartment for good. We took the subway to Gare de L'est and got our baggage unloaded. We then came back on a sardine packed subway. You couldn't breathe in that thing. We then went back to Chalet where we saw the Georges Pompidou Museum. The place was weird. Its hard to describe how freaky it is. One piece of art is just a couple of Campbell soup and Brill boxes. One painting was all splashy. We then went to eat. There was one place that was too expensive and nothing good. Then we went to another place where we ate hot dogs. French hot dogs are very long in a gigantic bun. With yucky cheese sauce. We then shopped around. We took the subway to Gare de L'est and got our baggage, caught the train. The train ride to Mulhouse had more stops. We stopped in Troyes, Chamont, Vesoul and Belfort. It really isn't a scenic ride. We then got in to Mulhouse at 11:00. We took a milk train to Basel at 12:00 French time. We then got the train to Delemont. The last one. We got out at Dornach. Walked home at went to bed at 12:00 ST; 1:00 FT.

Friday July 14, 1978 Dornach

I woke up at 9:00 today and ate 3 gipfelis. Bringing the total to 21 (unofficial). I then went back upstairs and packed for Grindelwald. I'm almost bringing everything. I will be there for 2 weeks. I then went to the film store with Dad to see if they could fix the camera. The guy said that the plastic was stretched and the camera was finished. We then look at another camera for 46 francs but it wasn't good enough for me. I'd rather have one that costs 66 or 84 francs. We then went to the train station where we got the Herald Tribune. Coming back we saw the Hispania express for the second time in the last week. We went home where I tortured Glob. I got my photos at the film place before we went to the train station. The photos I took were very good ones. My aerial views were good and others too. Yesterday we got a letter from Chief he said my telescope catalog had come and that Blitz is fine. We went to the Jura and ate. I wasn't very hungry so I hardly ate anything and was so full. After that I tried to take a nap but couldn't. At 2:00 I went with Dad and Andrew to have two pieces of luggage advanced. We then went to the film store and got a photograph to be developed that they forgot to develop. We then went back to the Jura where I ate some ice cream. I then watched the end of the Tour de France. After that I ate. When we finished eating I played soccer with Dad. I practiced on 1 on 1s. I've rarely done it but I need the practice. I then took a bath with the hose. It's a lot funner than a regular bath. Dad then fetched the superball that I lost at the Jura hotel. What happened was that I bounced it to Mom outside the Jura when I went to the left where it got stuck in a gutter. I went to bed at 9:10.

Saturday July 15, 1978 Grindelwald

Today I woke up at 6:30. I goofed around until 7:15 when I ate 2 gipfelis. I then went upstairs and goofed around until we went to the Dornach station. We went at 9:12 and then in Basel we took the train to Interlaken Ost. We stopped in that stupid station Liestal. That makes me Mad! . We stopped in a couple other stupid stations. We stopped in Olten, Bern, Thun, Spiez and Interlaken West. We then took the cog to Grindelwald. It was neat. It went up through the beautiful valleys. Dad and I looked for the apartment. It was a long tiring hike. The ascent was incrediburgable. Dad went down to get them while I stayed at the apartment. They came back in a cab. We then went shopping around after I took some photos of the Alps. The Jungfrau is crowded with clouds but one pretty mountain isn't. After shopping near us we went downtown and shopped there. Andrew and I had to hop through the windows because Dad didn't give us the key. Mom and Dad came home. Andrew and I then played monopoly. It was a good game when we went to the store to get some ice cream. I finally won the game just before dinner. That brings my won-lost record to 5-3. Andrew is 3-5. After a yummy dinner of noodles which is my favorite I played a monopoly game with Dad and Andrew. Dad eventually won the game. I think the game is a lot funner than with two people. I then went to be at 9:11.

Sunday July 16, 1978

Today I woke up at 6:20 and I looked at the mountains. There were the most beautiful mountains I've seen. I woke up Dad and we left. We hiked to Oberhaus. We took a lot of photos. You couldn't see a cloud in the sky. We then hiked to Bort and saw a huge anthill. The anthill was about a foot and a half wide and about a foot high. We then hiked back down the way we came. We came back at 8:30. Dad then went to church when Andrew and I played monopoly. Andrew won. We really have played a lot of monopoly games. I then took a photo of Andrew, Dad and Mom. Dad was smoking a cigar. He rarely smokes. Andrew and I went to get a hiking map. First they gave us a village map. We brough that back. Then they gave us a map of the mountains then we changed that map. Finally we got the right one. We came back and then I took a look nap. I woke up at 2:00 when the whole family went hiking. We went to Alfleu, Oberhaus and Mulhouse. It was a good 2.5 hour hike. I then came back and goofed around. I have a sore heel from walking. I then ate dinner. After dinner Dad, Andrew and I played Monopoly. I won. Monopoly is a very upsy-downsy game. That makes the standing Dad 1-1. Me 6-5. Andrew 4-7. I went to bed at 9:20.

Monday July 17, 1978

Today I woke up at 5:30. I just rested in bed until 6:00 when I woke up. We decided to go to Jungfraujoch. We packed up and left at 6:30 We then got to the train station. The train ride is one of the best in Europe. We got a discount because we took the first train up. The train ride usually cost $32.00 per person round trip 2nd class! We saved 33%. We took the train to Kleine Shideck when we got the train to Jungfraujoch. We got out at Eigerwand to look at the scenery. We were in the Eiger which is a very hard mountain to climb. Almost as hard as Everest. It was a beautiful view. The train goes through one huge tunnel built 100 years ago. The view from Jungfraujoch was beautiful. It was better than Gornegrat 2 years ago. I took 7 pictures. It was freezing. There were ice caves with pure, solid, slippery, ice. The place is 11,333 feet high. The highest I've ever been. We then came down at at 11:15. We arrived at Kleine Shideg at 12:15. We then hiked around. We ate a picnic lunch and then I got a close up of a cow. I took more photos and then we went back to the station where we took the 2:10 train back to Grindelwald. We got to Grindelwald at 3:00. When we got back Dad and Andrw carried up a case of beer and citro. I then rested my sore heel. I then played Monopoly with Dad and Andrew. I really was doing bad until I got a cheap Monopoly. Dad hit it so many times he lost. I got his properties. He had a good Monopoly so I eventually was beating Andrew when we ate at 6:00. After we ate I played Monopoly. I won. I then washed the dishes took a bath and went to bed at 8:45.

Tuesday July 11, 1978

Today I woke up at 8:00. I ate breakfast. I ate a lot of bread. French bread is the best. We then took the subway to Massy Paliseau and took the train to Versailles. When we got to Versailles we hiked to the Palace. There were crowds and crowds of people. The cheap French of course had a stupid admission fee. Those Rats . We saw King Louis rooms and the painting collection. It was a very interesting place. My camera still doesn't work. We then went outside to the garden. It was big and beautiful. We had a small lunch and then we went to 2 smaller palaces. The first one was worth it the second one stunk mainly because it was being restored. We then saw the Queen's village. It was very pretty. I took a picture of a house with Dad's camera and he says he may give it to me. We then went to the store which has 40 cent wine. That's cheaper than soda pop. I laughed to death. Andrew says its cheaper than Boones Farm. We then took the train to Massey -Paliseau. We then took the subway back to Paliseau - Villebon. We got home. I goofed around went to the store with Andrew and didn't buy anything. We got back and ate. After that I started to read a book. Its name is "Leap into Danger." I then took a nice warm refreshing bath. The water knobs in France are weird. I went to bed at 9:33

Wednesday July 12, 1978

Today I woke up at 8:00. I then went to eat. I then read my book. We then went to Paris. We got out at Les Halles. We then walked in a garden when we reached the Obelisque. The Arch De Triumphe looks real closeto you but it's way far away. I call it an optical illusion. Wen then went to the Musee de Peapos. All it had was paintings. We then got the bus to the Arch de Triumphe. My camera, it still didn't work. It worked yesterday night though. We then hiked to the Eiffel tower. We then walked to the first stage. It only costed 60 cents each. We then saw Paris. It looked beautiful from there. We then went back down and went to the Army Museum. We saw Napoleons tomb. We went to one floor where we saw relief maps. It was neat. The maps were of where historic battles took place. We then took the subway from Latour-Mauborg to Strasbourg Saint-Denis where we took the the Metro to Les Halles. We then took the subway to Paliseau Villebon. We then got back. I read an article in the Herald Tribune about 180 people being killed in Spain because an oil tanker crashed. I'm concerned because my Uncle Teddy was in a campsite in Spain. I don't think he was in that campsite but maybe. We then went to a restaraunt in Paliseau. They had the best hamburger you ever tasted. We then went back to the apartment where I goofed around and went to bed at 9:15.

Saturday July 8, 1978

Today I woke up at 8:20 and went downstairs to eat breakfast. I only had one gipfeli I wasn't hungry. After that I went upstairs to play Monopoly. Andrew creamed me in a very short game. After that I read and goofed around. Mom and Dad came home from Basel at 12:00. We then ate. After we ate I played Monopoly again this time I won. That makes the series between us at 3-3. After that I finished my book the "Love Bug". It was O.K., I then watched the tennis match between Borg and Connors. Connors had almost lost the game when I hiked around Dornach. I went to a cemetery. Dad then played soccer with me. He had also played with me at 1:00. I played pretty good. I'm getting better and better. We then ate dinner. When we finished dinner Andrew and I played soccer we played a game with only two people. He won 5-0 because he's older than me. We then stopped playing because it was raining. I then went upstairs packed for Paris and went to bed at 8:15.

Sunday July 9, 1978, Paris

Today I woke up at 7:30 went downstairs and came back upstairs and read a book called "The Survivor". I then went downstairs and ate breakfast. There weren't any gifelis because all shops close on Sunday. I then went upstairs and read. Then Andrew played Monopoly with me. I won of course. After that I ate. I wasn't too hungry. I then went upstairs goofed around and didn't do much. We then left for the train station. We took the 2:22 train to Basel and in Basel we looked at newspapers and Dad and I looked at the trains. We then went through customs and got on the train to Paris. We got window seats. We stopped in Mulhouse at 5:27 French time. Then we went to Belfort. After the eight minute stop in Belfort we went on to Vesoul. We expressed a big station called Troyes. We then went through gigantic fields with no mountains just flat. With a couple of houses in between but nothing much. We arrived in Paris at 10:03 on time. The Paris station has thirty tracks. We came in Track 27. We met the guy who was going to give us the apartment free. He only knew French. We then took the french subway. The subway looks like a tram that has wheels on it. We had to switch stations and wait for a half an hour and get the next train. We got it and it took some time to get to the place. We went right under the Seine River. When we finally got to the apartment we went to our rooms and had some apple cider and went to bed at 11:25 French Time.

Monday July 10, 1978

Today I woke up at 8:00 and ate breakfast. I read my book until 9:30 when we took the subway to Paris. We got off at the staton Luxembourg and went to Pantheon. We then went to the Notre Dame church then my camera didn't work. Of all the dumb times for it not work had to be the most important time. I think the shutter is jammed. The Notre Dame Church was very interesting. It's a huge church too bad that stupid camera doesn't work. We then got me a new film but I still don't think it works. We then went to look at the Seine. We then went to the Louvre. It was very crowded especially around the Mona Lisa original there was a giant crowd. They had a glass case around the picture so no one could steal it or ruin it. I then got very hungry but we still were in the stupid place looking at painting of Idiots. We then finally ate at 3:00 we went to Sainte Chapelle. I saw two telescope stores the first I've seen in the world. But stores are closed on Tuesday!!!! The Sainte Chapelle was not very interesting at all. In fact It was boring. We then took the subway to the train station and got tickets for the train. The French have a lot of red tape. First of all they tell you that a TEE is only $20 more expensive than a regular express. Then we went over to the next booth to get TEE tickets but they costed 300 French Francs; 60 dollars. Then you eventually end up running from booth to booth. The French also have stupid traffic laws are slobs and idiots and jerks. We then took the subway and got back to to the apartment. I then read my book. We then ate dinner. I don't like the French gifelis there not as good as swiss ones. I then watched airplanes fly by reading their names. I then finished my book. I went to bed at 9:55.

Editors Note Apparently I've become an Angry American in Paris. I hardly complain about anything in 10 days of Switzerland but I get to France and I'm in a rage. Telescope stores closed on Tuesday, pictures of idiots at the Louvre, sub-standard croissants in the land that created them. Such atrocities I had to endure at the tender age of 11. No child should be exposed to such abuse. I wonder if I should transcribe further,what horrors await.

Tuesday July 4

Today is Independence Day in America but I'm not in America. I'm in Switzerland. I woke up today at 8:20 ate breakfast read my book and went to Einsiedeln with my Uncle Paul. We saw of of the most famous monasteries in the world. We saw monks. After that we ate there in Einsiedeln. Uncle Paul asked us what we want as a go away present tomorrow last time he gave us each 50 francs which was $17 back then but today 50 francs is worth 25. Were going shopping in Zurich and then going back to Dornach. After eating lunch we drove back then and Mom and I tried to look for the Herald Tribune but couldn't find it. Going back to the house I read my book. I finished it. It was a good book. After that I goofed around and then ate. I took a good photograph. I then played with David and Kati we played Monkey in the Middle. I wasn't in the middle too long because I blocked their passes. After that I goofed around upstairs. I went to bed at 8:30

Wednesday July 5, 1978

Dornach
Even though I slept 11 hours I had to be woken up by Dad at 8:00. I was also tired. I eat breakfast and packed at 8:30. After breakfast generous Uncle Paul gave us 50 francs. Which is worth 25. He probably will give us even more. Then he drove us to the train station. Where we said good bye. When we go into Zurich at 9:45. We shopped around. We went to Globus, Franz Carl Weber, Jemoli and other places. We spent an hour in Jemoli because it took a long time to find the right switch connectors. We eat lunch in a place called the Lowenbrau. This is the forth straight time I've eaten out for lunch. I have ate a lot in Switzeland. When we finished shopping in Zurich we found ought we had bought a lot of stuff. I have about 80 francs. About $40. We left for Basel at 5:05 we had no trouble finding room on the train. We got to Basel at 6:05 and then boarded the train to Dornach. When we got in Dornach diiner was ready. I didn't eat much because I wasn't hungry. I then took a bath goofed around. I wrote a postcard to Joe and then went to bed.

Thursday July 6, 1978

Today I woke up at 7:45 I ate 3 gifelies. After that I went upstairs and goofed around. I put Snowtzers on Andrew's head. He was still sleeping. It has been cold while we have been here. The temperature has been in the fiftys compared to two years ago when it was in the 90's. I then went with Dad to get twenty stamps and airmail labels to put on 20 postcards. We also got a the Herald Tribune. When we got back we ate. In Switzerland you have a big lunch and a small dinner and breakfast. But I eat a big breakfast and dinner and a small lunch. After lunch I started reading a new book called "Love Bug". Andrew, Dad and Mom left for Basel while I took a nap. I woke up from my nap at 4:15. I then goofed around until 6:30 when everyone came home and then we ate. Andrew got a Swiss Monopoly. He calls it a Conversation Piece. We then played Monopoly it was a lot different because the pieces are higher. Of course he won the game for the 8th straight time. I went to be at 10:00

Friday July 7, 1978

I woke up today at 7:30 and goofed around. I ate breakfast at 8:30. I ate four gipfelis. I then took a picture of my Teddy Bears all stacked up. I took a solo photo of Glob and both time the flash cube worked. I then went with Dad to the film store to get my film developed. We then went to the post office and train station. Wen then went back home. I then played Monopoly with Andrew he was winning when we ate lunch. We then continued the game and of course I lost. I then played soccer with my Teddy Bears and played another game of Monopoly. I had a Monopoly and he had none so eventually I won the game. I then hiked around Dornach with Mom and Dad and got back here just before it started to rain. I then watched the tennis game on T.V. after that I ate. Andrew again played me in Monopoly. My grandmother was worried because she thinks that coke has cocaine in it and she says I will be a drug addict. Andrew and I started the game and then I went to the school soccer field with Dad and played. It was fun. I did some good saves even though it hurt because it was cold. I then went to take a nice warm bath. After that I continued the game we didn't finish. I went to bed at 9:45.

Brian Lamb is a Hoosier and the discovery of Cubehenge

http://www.indystar.com/articles/7/200348-9537-062.html

Yesterday before turning to my favorite program, Washington Journal on C-Span I read this article in the Indy Star talking about the founder of C-SPAN the genius that is Brian Lamb. He's a Hoosier, from West Lafayette. The man is the Edward R Murrow of our times helping bring about the incredible media wonder we know as C-Span!

Also it's the time of year when my workplace turns into "Cubehenge". Normally I live in an environment bereft of sunlight. Fortunately, in the few weeks surrounding the winter solstice the sun is low enough in southern sky to send a few beams my way. Around 5 pm on a clear day (not a given around here), I'll see this unfamiliar patch of brightness shining on the Tibetan Buddhist tapestry on the wall of my cube. My goodness, it's the sun!

Editor's note: A gipfeli is a Swiss croissant. Unlike the croissants you get in France or the USA the gipfeli ("little summit") has less butter and is drier and crunchier. One adds the butter on top of the gipfeli to taste. I find them much more to my liking than the croissants you get here and on my last visit to my Aunt's house this past summer I had 5 in one sitting.

Sunday July 2, 1978

Today I woke up at 7:00. I then read my book. I'm on page 93 of the book I then ate breakfast 8:45. After that I played solitaire and read. I then went to church. My Uncle's church for the youth service. After that I went to the house and went swimming at the indoor pool in Wadenswil. I enjoyed the pool there. There were 3 pools. The first was a small one. It was for little kids. The next pool was high enough for me to stand in but was higher than the little pool. The next pool was gigantic I couldn't stand up at all. After swimming we went to eat after that we took the train to Richterswil. We then saw the movie "Herbie goes to Monte Carlo". It was in German but I understood it. After the movie we went home. I then hiked around Richterswil. I took a photo of a train. We then went to my Uncle's church and goofed around there. We also tried to get to the bell tower. But we couldn't open the doon. I got a headache from all the noise of the bells. I then played with my cousin Martin. We were on the porch so we didn't want to lose the ball. Just before we ate he threw the ball hit the fence and bounced back on to the porch. After dinner we played again this time we lost both balls but we found them again. After that I went downstairs and read. After that I went upstairs had citro and went to bed at 9:30

Monday July 3

Today I woke up at 8:30. I then ate breakfast. After breakfast Uncle Paul drove us to Appenzell. My ancestors come from Appenzell. Went went around the farm towns in Appenzell. We then went to Reute where my ancestors come from. I'm actually a citizen of Reute. We then went out to lunch with a lady who knew English. We went to a restaraunt in Stien where they make cheese. After that we went to the lady's home. We looked at the cows, pigs and calfs. After that we drove back to Richterswil. After that I went home and read my book. I'm almost half-way through it. Then we ate dinner. When we finished dinnerI went outside on the porch with David and Mom we played monkey in the middle. It was fun I blocked their passes and the ball almost went off the porch several times. At 8:00 David had to go to bed so I went downstairs and played solitaire and lost. I've played 75 games and lost all of them. While my brother has played 10 and won 3. I read my book at 8:30. After that I went outside and talked with Mom. I went to bed at 10:00.

Quote of the day:

"The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you"

Bob Harris (Bill Murray) from "Lost in Translation"