Recently... stuff...

So... now that the trip talk is done... other stuff...

Last night the Canadians and our adopted American (Kirstin) went over to Darren and Patricks place and had a wicked dinner. We had mashed potatoes, roasted chicked, Endive/Apple/Raisin/Walnut/cream dressing salad, Mike's indian spicey dish (forget name), and Ice cream with fruit and chocolate sauce. It was awesome. We hung out, cooked, chatted, and generally had a wicked time. I think that it was so much fun for me especially because it reminded me of home, and the family dinners that I'm used to. I guess I'm considering the Canadians here in Wurzburg very much my family at the moment. Tons of fun, and a great way to shoot the breeze.

During the dinner conversations we half decided on a long trip to take on the week of the 15th of August. Monday of that week is a holiday here in Germany, so I would only have to take 4 days off work to get a full 9 days off. So, the plan thus far has been to take a night train down to Slovenia, then go from there. We'll probably go down to Croatia, and maybe even take a ferry over to Venice in Italy. Our plans are very loose right now, but we have a slight issue too... We hadn't really thought all that much about taking 4 days off this week, so we had made plans to go up to Brussels with Jocelyn. She's away travelling in Italy right now, so we can't contact her about changing plans. So, what we think we'll do is go up to Brussels as planned. We will come back to Wurzburg Sunday evening, and instead of going home, hop straight onto the train for our trip down to Slovenia. It should be wicked, tons of fun!

Recent readings:
So since I got here, I've been doing some reading... I guess I feel like reviewing some of the books:
1) Angels and Demons - Dan Brown: This book I brought on the plane with me on my way over here. It was a fun read, but you can't possibly tell me all those facts are true... Bullshit... It's fun, not serious, and captivates the reader.

2) The Davinci Code - Dan Brown: I read this around Europe on various trains to various places. It's the same style as Angels and Demons, and as such is another easy read. I enjoyed it, but again... Bullshit on facts being true...

3) Don't Eat this book - Morgan Spurlock (maker of that McDonalds movie): This book is a collection of very scary facts. They hit you hard, one after the other. It just keeps getting scarier and scarier when you learn what is actually happening in the fast food industry. I had never seen the movie this guy made, but reading the book he goes through a lot of the phsychological issues he went through making that movie. I enjoyed it... read it very fast, and will only ever eat fast food again if NOTHING else is available.

4) Forty Signs of Rain - Kim Stanley Robinson: This guy is one of my favorite authors, he wrote the award-winning Mars series. I had pre-ordered the soft-cover version of this book about 2 months ago, and it arrived last week. I have been reading it on the trains between Wurzburg and Interlaken, and have almost finished it. This is to be the first in a new trilogy that he is writing (the hardcover of the second book comes out in November), and the author is clearly setting the stage. He has built up the characters amazingly, and the main plot of the trilogy has begun in wicked fashion. this time around he is toying with the big theme of global warming, and how the people in power will react and deal with the issue if a "rapid climate change" occurs. This author is amazing at mixing in ground breaking science and fiction into one great story. He does his research on current state-of-the-art science, then weaves a story based on near-future events. It hits you powerfully because of this, you know that what he talks about could very well happen. If you haven't read the Mars trilogy, and like science fiction I'd have to ask what's wrong with you, and this trilogy has started in an amazing way. My point of view may be scewed because this is my favorite author... but I give it 4.5 stars out of 5.

Other things on my mind:
I have been thinking a lot about budgeting. I had first thought I may be able to save enough money to move out for the 4 months that I'll be back home and in school, but that is looking less and less likely with all of the travelling I'm doing. So, I guess I'll stay home and buy myself something nice. Namely, and avalanche transceiver, and a probe. With those two things, I will have everything I need to play around in the backcountry safely. I think I'll join the alpine club of Canada, then go from there... Time for me to finally dive into the backcountry (I know my parents are going to be worried for me... but I'm doing it as safely as I possibly can).

I know it's a long time from now, but every now and then I think of the time when I will return to Vancouver. New Years, this year must rival last years up in Whistler. I don't know if Gavin ever reads these, or if someone else could possibly start working the idea into his head of us possibly using his cabin again for New Years. I had a wicked time, and doing it again would be wicked. I would be in such a party mood!

Well... that's all for now.

Cheers,
-Martin