July 30: No more Germans :(We are now completely lacking in Germans. This is very depressing. This time last year ... we were wondering if Lance would do 6 ... we were painting and rebuilding ... worried that Tobi would feel at home ... planning for Chuck and Gena's next visit ... not even considering whether Suze would remarry, let alone when. We've gained a lot in the last year, lost a few things, so why the big empty hole feeling? Speaking of Lance, who caught his bullying of Simeoni? Armstrong is having a personal and legal feud with an Italian racer, Filippo Simeoni, an admitted doper who has fingered an Italian doctor, Michele Ferrari (always referred to as "the controversial ..."). Simeoni will testify against the good doctor. Armstrong's reaction to that news was to call Simeoni a liar. Simeoni's reaction to that was to bring a lawsuit against Armstrong. Sometimes, Armstrong should just keep his big mouth shut. Anyhow, Simeoni's overall time was hour(s) behind Armstrong. Frequently, cyclists will "break away" from the main pack to try to win the stage and/or gain points. If the breakaway doesn't contain anyone threatening to the leaders, the main pack will usually let them go. Simeoni joined a break away and was no threat to Lance. Lance, in an incredible show of maturity, caught up to the breakaway and threatened to stay there, unless Simeoni dropped back. Well, this would just elminate all chances of a stage win for the rest of the guys in the breakaway, so they asked Simeoni to drop, which he did, and Lance did. Now, the Italians are thinking of criminal charges. It might be stretch to make the charges stick (and Jorj doesn't think charges are appropriate), but I think Armstrong was totally out of line. I've transferred all affection to Tyler. Renate and Lutz called to say they are safe in Möser, although their luggage took a different flight, July 19: One more try
Of course, we took them to meeting, where they got to meet Sarah, her parents, Nancy from Young Friends, and Richard Lane. Tobi and Johanna are doing well on their own, except for the occasional minor emergency. Johanna keeps sending e-mail to her mother, then asking me to tell her mother to read e-mail. I keep asking them to call us; it's much more efficient, and I want to hear their lovely voices! The Tour just isn't the same now that Tyler has dropped. I must confess, I could care less whether Lance wins a sixth. I really wanted to see Tyler win. The word is he dropped out due to injuries after flipping over his bike and landing on his back. The bruising was enough to prevent him from standing in the saddle -- something you need to do going up the hills in the last half of the tour. No word from Heras -- I'm still hoping for a stage win. Ullrich has lost minutes. Iban Mayo had terrible luck early on and lost minutes. The only competition is Ivan Basso of CSC, whose also pretty young. Local boy Bobby Julich hasn't had a good ride either. This time last year I was frantically painting the dining room for Tobi in the Tour du Paint. July 5: Weekends at the Jersey ShoreFirst, the most important news, Tobi returned to Magdeburg safe and sound, after choosing to be bumped from his flight for a seven-hour layover in Manchester (England) and $200. He had a good time at the Abi Ball. His parents arrive Thursday. June 15: Going to Hoboken any time soon?May I recommend, Cucharamama, which translates, almost literally, to "the mother of all spoons," meaning the big spoon in the kitchen, the head spoon. It's at 233 Clinton St. in Hobokon (by the emergency room of St. Mary's Hospital), and is owned and run by Anne's friend Maricel, owner of Zafra. We ended a fantastic day of shopping at ethnic groceries with a fabulous meal at Maricel Presilla's newest restaurant. Ethnic grocery shopping might sound boring to you, but you don't have Anne Mendelson as your tour guide. Anne is as good a teacher as she is a writer. She can identify those bizarre vegetables and meats to tell you how they are cooked and eaten, discuss the usage of any kitchen implement (and most ethnic groceries have a cookware section -- Riekers needs to get on the ball). June 6: Just not talking about itI don't want to discuss it, OK? You know what I mean, so just don't ask, and, really, that answers the question, doesn't it? Anyhow, moving backwards in time: fantastic Abschiedsfest for Tobi last night. It's another two and a half weeks, but school ended Friday, so it was best to have the party as soon as possible, before kids left for the shore or Africa. I overbought food, of course, and had the pleasure of giving Jon K. a box of organic spring greens for him and his housemates. He said he would offer the second box around at meeting today. We skipped meeting to sleep and watch the US Pro Cycling Championships. The original plan was to watch it live, but the weather was yucky and Sarah was hanging out. Instead, Jorj found the radio band on which the TV production staff was broadcasting, and we watched the show while listening to the director switching between cameras and occassionally shouting, "Everyone be quiet please!" There was a 13-second delay on the "live" feed. Tobi enjoyed the chatter more than the race -- asking to turn down the race commentary, as if! We are so cool: We took Tobi to the midnight showing of Prisoner of Azkaban when it opened Friday. It was everyone's first midnight showing. And yes, it is the best of the three so far. The story hung together as a movie much better, the missing pieces weren't as glaringly obvious as the other movies. Also, more scenes and lines seemed designed to be funny. Although the book are and have been dark, Rowling slips in many puns, comments on human foibles, and lots of just plain funny. Amazing of amazing, stairs a recarpeted. As soon as we find the camera, I'll post more pictures. The trimwork still needs to be finished, which I hope to get done before Renate and Lutz arrive. |
What I'm readingIn preparation of Tobi leaving, I bought an armful of books from Powells. Book buying is always my response to seperation from loved ones. Or re-reading the Chronicals of Narnia or Harry Potter.
What I'm listening toMore CDs to replace the tape & bootleg collection
Things that make me happy (in no particular order)
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We've been having a lovely time with Renate and Lutz, Tobi's parents. They
are in DC tonight and tomorrow night, and spent part of last week in NYC,
first with Anne, then on their own. I worried when we dropped them off at
the station in NJ for them to go back to their room in Chelsea, Manhattan.
Of course I worried, I've spent the last 10 months worrying; it's a habit
now.