Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Your Martini Tastes Like Gasoline
Short post, just something cool that came up tonight. Viktor was praying over dinner, and after saying thanks for the food, he said thanks for the taste of the food. That's pretty awesome. How easy would it have been for God to make eating into something as routine as tying your shoes? But instead we get to enjoy different foods, have cravings for some and hatred for others, and actually enjoy doing something vital to survival. Even if some people enjoy it too much...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
This is Why I'm Hot
Apart from being a terribly poor music reference, the title of this really doesn't have much to do with what I'm writing. But for some reason it happened. Perhaps because "Things to Enjoy on an Autumn Weekend in an Eastern European Nation that You're Unfamiliar With" doesn't quite roll off the tongue. But it is certainly more appropriate (on more than one level). So here goes.
1. Talking travel. If you've ever flown through Charles de Gaulle in Paris, you can immediately connect with anyone in the world who has endured this experience. I traveled to Novi Sad yesterday, where I met Viktor's son and we shared numerous stories with each other (this was the first time I've ever heard of someone "talkin all French"). Similar experiences = +1 all sociability stats.
2. Old fortresses. It's a simple fact. Old stuff is often cool, but massive stone edifices are always cool. When they go together (as they often do), then there is an immediate boost in interest. There happens to be one of these in Novi Sad, and of course it is both stone and old. http://www.flickr.com/photos/skifree0813/ for pictures.
3. Bus rides. When your view is only limited by the horizon where the Earth bends below sight, it's a pretty wonderful sight. But when this view is 360 degrees and unlimited as mentioned, it is completely breathtaking. Such is nearly the entire ride from Subotica to Novi Sad. Two hours of forced sitting, especially when accompanied by this stunning view, can really get your mind running. Maybe I'll go into some of that another time.
4. Bread. Lots of it. It's delicious and there's a reason it's the base of the pyramid.
5. Riding in cars named after cute cuddly animals. Today I took a ride in a Panda. Last week was the Rabbit, which is considerably less uncommon, so I'm assuming next on the list is the Narwhal.
6. Playing H. In case you've never studied any basic music theory, "H" is German for "Der note B dat ist naught vlat."
7. 50th anniversary parties. Or re-weddings, whichever word you prefer. Because today I was part of an event that may have been the most joyful occassion I've witnessed. An older couple in the church celebrated their anniversary, and we had a service at the church for them. What struck me the most was how the service concluded. Before everything was finished, Viktor had the couple recite their vows again. Watching a 50-year couple do this with tears in their eyes is a pretty striking scene. Certainly one that will stay in my mind for a while anyway.
1. Talking travel. If you've ever flown through Charles de Gaulle in Paris, you can immediately connect with anyone in the world who has endured this experience. I traveled to Novi Sad yesterday, where I met Viktor's son and we shared numerous stories with each other (this was the first time I've ever heard of someone "talkin all French"). Similar experiences = +1 all sociability stats.
2. Old fortresses. It's a simple fact. Old stuff is often cool, but massive stone edifices are always cool. When they go together (as they often do), then there is an immediate boost in interest. There happens to be one of these in Novi Sad, and of course it is both stone and old. http://www.flickr.com/photos/skifree0813/ for pictures.
3. Bus rides. When your view is only limited by the horizon where the Earth bends below sight, it's a pretty wonderful sight. But when this view is 360 degrees and unlimited as mentioned, it is completely breathtaking. Such is nearly the entire ride from Subotica to Novi Sad. Two hours of forced sitting, especially when accompanied by this stunning view, can really get your mind running. Maybe I'll go into some of that another time.
4. Bread. Lots of it. It's delicious and there's a reason it's the base of the pyramid.
5. Riding in cars named after cute cuddly animals. Today I took a ride in a Panda. Last week was the Rabbit, which is considerably less uncommon, so I'm assuming next on the list is the Narwhal.
6. Playing H. In case you've never studied any basic music theory, "H" is German for "Der note B dat ist naught vlat."
7. 50th anniversary parties. Or re-weddings, whichever word you prefer. Because today I was part of an event that may have been the most joyful occassion I've witnessed. An older couple in the church celebrated their anniversary, and we had a service at the church for them. What struck me the most was how the service concluded. Before everything was finished, Viktor had the couple recite their vows again. Watching a 50-year couple do this with tears in their eyes is a pretty striking scene. Certainly one that will stay in my mind for a while anyway.
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