Eurythmics - Love You Like a Ball and Chain

Summer of '85 - Dorm room at Academy of Art College in San Francisco

Tom Bosley R.I.P.

I loved Mr. C on "Happy Days." And I remember my mom watching Tom on "Murder She Wrote". He was an affable guy and a terrific character actor. Heck, he even made Glad trash bags seem interesting. I'll miss him.

Here's the NY Times obit.


And of note, I have the recording of "Fiorello!" the Broadway show that gave him his first break and Tony Award. It's terrific (thanks Uncle A!). Here's a pic from that show:

Shakira: En Vivo

I went to the Shakira show last night. I was entertained with the swiveling hips and the gyrating torso – and that was just the audience! Lots of plunging necklines, raised skirts, and spilled Bud Light.

And Shakira – the woman’s body is national treasure! But after about an hour of the undulating, I was thinking “tone it down girl”. She has a unique voice and I wanted to hear more of it. I think the bass and over-dub tended to drown her out. Call me old-fashioned.

All the hits were there, “Hips Don’t Lie”, “Underneath Your Clothes”, and even the irritatingly catchy, “Waka Waka” (used to hate this song, but now like it). Painful as it was, Shakira’s worst song was there too, “She Wolf”. Really? Is that necessary?

I was glad to see an extended belly dancing routine during her early hit, “Ojos Así”. And I pleasantly giggled at her brief cover of EMF’s “Unbelievable.” But what had me most excited was my favorite Shakira song, “Inevitable.” She sang it with no dancing, just straight forward, showcasing her singing and song-writing (the way I like it).

Bad camera phone pictures alert!




Speaking of “Inevitable”, this is my favorite version of the song (I prefer Shakira a brunette too) from 1999’s MTV Unplugged.

Amsterdam: Apartment View

Every morning with coffee, me in a chair and this view.

Every evening with a beer, me in the same chair and this view. Watching boats go by.


Looking down to the left a bit... same view. One morning I saw a naked woman in a window. Didn't deter me. This view is still my new "happy place".

Oktoberfest Parade - The Daddies

Part of the opening weekend of Oktoberfest is a large parade filled with brewery floats pulled by horses, marching bands, and men with rifles. It's a time for the Bavarian pageantry to shine. The parade participants include young and old... and The Daddies:

Leather shorts, weaponry, and hats with big plumes, what more could you ask for?

I'm a sucker for a big plume - and handle bar mustache!

I'm pretty sure this is Donald Sutherland:

Yea, I know. I'll say it for you. He reminds me of Colonel Klink too:

In Bavaria, you're never to old to show bare knees.

Another celebrity, Sebastian Cabot (aka Mr. French), from TV's "Family Affair":

Siggns of Foood

As an American tourist, signs in a foreign language half-translated into English is often a welcome thing ("whew, I can sorta read that"). And it can be pretty damned funny.

Take this for example. If your sushi bar "suks", why would you advertise it? Maybe it's due to the naked people inside? I'm assuming that's what "nudeln" are (ok, I really know, but I'm not telling).
Seems the sushi competition is fierce in Amsterdam. This place serves up any and all animals found in a zoo. Why else would it be called "Zushi"?

I didn't know Mexican had 2 a's in it. Well, maybe Amsterdam-born Tio Pepe didn't know either? Just glad the option of tortilllllaas and enchillllaadas was available so far from home.

Obviously this sign was MEANT to be funny. And it kinda was.

Not sure what's "easy" about this place's Japanese. Maybe the meals come with a happy ending?

Travelator

What do you call an escalator that doesn't provide flat steps, but rather one long 45-degree angle sloped standing surface?

In Ireland, they call it a "Travelator" of course.
Good luck holding onto your child. Or anything with wheels. Or certain adults with balancing issues and a history of falling on escalators face down and getting stuck.

Just... good luck. It's all I'm sayin.