#93 in Russia

After toiling away in anonymity for months, Patrick finally earned an honor on YouTube. The latest video, which celebrates our Volvo turning over 200,000 miles, is the 93rd most viewed video in the Autos & Vehicles category among Russian visitors to YouTube. You have to savor even the small victories...

Patrick's first gig with Wilgus

The new Wilgus lineup played out for the first time last night. Patrick had a great time on bass, and all the of the guys thought the set went really well. Although there were four bands on the bill, turnout was surprisingly light. No matter, it was a great adventure going up to Everett to play a real rock and roll bar.

A (not-so) plain weekend in Plain

The annual "ski weekend" was held in a beautiful house in Plain, WA, about 20 miles north of Leavenworth. Thanks to Sarah who organized this year's gathering. Unlike previous years, skiing was not a part of the equation due to a lack of recent snow as well as warm temps. Hats off to Mitch, however, who gave it the old college try by driving to Stevens Pass on Saturday only to turn back upon seeing raindrops on his windshield. While Mitch was experiencing rain and clouds near Stevens, the weather was sunny and beautiful in Plain. 

A big thanks to Robert who organized the annual fondue feast on Friday night as well as Sarah who spearheaded the soup, stuffed cabbages, and chocolate cake night on Saturday night. The hot tub championship medals were awarded to Alex and Erik, who reportedly spent up to three hours soaking it up while the crew was painting Plain red on Saturday afternoon. The first night - Friday - was the typical night of overindulgence: food, drink, other. Saturday night was a bit more chill. Only three managed to make it through the entire screening of the Big Lebowski which ended before 11pm. The rest were victims of the previous night's overindulgence. A longing for all things Bavarian took a few of us on Sunday to Leavenworth where we couldn't resist a bit of Schnitzel, red cabbage and Bier. 

Sarah's 10 seconds of fame on The Food Network

Our friend Dirk is in the video a couple of times too. The diner where our breakfast group meets was on a Food Network show called Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. The episode is finally up on YouTube for your viewing pleasure. Check it out right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfH_JXkVzWc&eurl=http://voulasoffshore.com/default.htm

Favorite German People

I made a quick trip to Germany during Thanksgiving. It was part business trip, but I did have time to visit a few of our favorite people in Germany. Karsten is a very old friend, who you see eating German breakfast here, and Jini and Sascha are dear friends from our year in Muenster. It was really nice to enjoy their hospitality and home-cooked food during a hectic trip!

Birthday party/ Martinsumzug

My friend Gabi and I organize a joint birthday party every year. This year, we were both busy at the beginning of November, so we put off the party until almost two weeks in to the month and declared a Martinsumzug. St. Martin's day is essentially the German equivalent of Halloween. Children make lanters and parade with them at night. They are rewarded for their efforts with candy. We did an adults-only procession, and it was a big success. The photos show Gabi and Franziska singing a Martinslied and my friends Scott and Katy, caught in the act of parading through Ballard with a lantern.

Definitive proof of the decline and fall of American civilization

Yes, friends, this coupon arrived in our mail today. Spawz, as the business is called, is a doggie swim center with heated pools, treadmills in said heated pools and "warm water massage." Seven years of George Bush have not pushed me over the edge, but this may have done it.