Checking in

Keep trying to write a full entry, but just can't seem to find the time.  Anyway, here's some photos to keep you busy for a little bit at least.  All of these were taken last Friday.  It was a beautiful day, nearly felt like summer.  We did a bit of sightseeing downtown before taking the 'L' up to the ballpark to take in a game.  Afterwards we made a tour of the city at night.  Thanks to my sister for letting us take the car.  The final picture was well worth it.

Nerds on tour near Buckingham Fountain

Cloudgate sculpture in Millenium Park

The building formerly known as the Sears Tower plays peek-a-boo

Hi jinks in Millenium Park

Chicago-style Kölsch served up at Goose Island

Wrigley Field before a typical Cubs game

(That's a euphemism for another loss)

Peanuts and beer at the game

The view from our seats

Not much needs to be said here

See you Stateside, dudes

They had yet another election here yesterday. The results seem a little more promising than last time. This was the local state election. Here's the results.

We're off to Chicago in a few hours. We'll be there for the next month. We're up way too early, but I guess we're just too excited. Our roommate is coming along for part of the time. So I'll be looking forward to playing tour guide for part of the time. If I don't have deep dish pizza at least twice, I will consider this trip a bust. Hopefully I'll have a chance to check in here a few times. Until then...

Wir sind zurück in Köln

(We're back in Cologne.)

Truth be told, we've been back for a few days now.  We're still walking around like zombies.  It seems like each time it takes a little longer to get over the jet lag. (Note the time this entry is being written!)

That was a much needed break.  We visited a lot of friends and family, I spoke very little German and we gorged ourselves on food we can't find over here.  Unfortunately, we weren't able to see everyone we wanted to.  I guess there's just never enough time for that. 

I've been trying to think about what I would write in the first entry since returning.  I still don't know.  In some ways, it didn't feel like I was gone all that long.  At first it sort of felt like the only change was the weather.  One day it was summer, the next winter.  In between was some long dream about living in Germany.

But the more we drove around, the more we noticed something rather unsettling.  Shops, restaurants, even some big name retailers are closing up. I suppose had I not moved, this would have seemed more gradual and not as noticeable.  Instead, it seemed like entire shopping centers were dark.  And the number of guys waving signs on the street corners advertising store closings and liquidations have certainly multiplied. It felt like some sort of alternate reality.  Everything's familiar, but just a little different.

What else felt different?

Commercials.  Holy cow.  The amount of commercials and the frequency of commercial breaks in the US are staggering.  It always felt like a lot before but I could tolerate it.  Now, however, I found both the TV and radio nearly unbearable. 

Gas.  Wow is that cheap.  No wonder we keep driving everywhere in the US.  I had done the math before when in Europe on vacation.  But no matter how expensive it seemed, it was always vacation and I wouldn't dwell on the price so much.  A full tank of gas over here can cost you nearly $100 (yes, that's in dollars).  I'm not sure we paid more than $30 to fill up the car in Chicago.  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  Those of you complaining about the rising cost of gas in the US, I think you need to reexamine your priorities. 

Customer service.  Ok, at times I started to find the overly cheerful American sales clerk or waiter a little annoying.  Still, I'll take that any day over his German counterpart who seems to feel I am interrupting his work day by asking to purchase something. 

Here's some photo highlights from the trip.  Unfortunately, I didn't get that all important shot of deep dish pizza.  By the time I thought of taking a picture, it was already devoured.

View of the Chicago River from Michigan Avenue bridge

John Hancock building covered in fog

Ice skating in Millenium Park

Water Tower on Michigan Avenue

Italian Beef sandwich

Menu from typical hot dog shop

The double char dog with everything.  By "everything" I mean "no ketchup." Also note: No fries. Chips.

Chicken burrito, rice and refried beans from Taco Village in Des Plaines. Six months ago, I would have finished that no problem.  Unfortunately, I could only finish about three-fourths. Awesome.

You don't need to go to Germany for a German Christmas market.

However, I guarantee you the Currywurst is better in Germany.

Complete with actual Germans working at the market!

One last shot of the market and Picasso statue in Daley Plaza.

I've also uploaded some much asked for photos from Thanksgiving.  They aren't great shots, but you can get an idea of what it is all about.  Food.  (Its also about family, but I wanted to keep this somewhat private!)  Click on the Thanksgiving entry below to see them.

And last but not least, a hearty "Wilkommen" to a newly arrived expat and fellow blogger in Frankfurt.  You can follow her adventures using the link to the right.  Click on "Natural Habitat" to see what she's got to say.

Now This Could Only Happen in a Town Like This

Not a good week for Chicago sports or Chicago in general.  (I promise after this one to get back to the task at hand.) But it is nearly 3:30 in the morning and I can't sleep.  So please pardon any rambling I am about to do.

I had been looking forward to October 2 for quite a while.  Yesterday the International Olympic Committee chose the city for the 2016 Olympics.  That Chicago even dared to enter this competition years ago surprised me.  That it made it to the final four (alongside Tokyo, Madrid and Rio) was a bigger shock. That it got knocked out in the first round of voting... well, that was a total Chicago kind of ending.  I've gone back and forth over the last few years wondering whether this was a good idea or not.  Regardless, it certainly would have been an adventure. 

It doesn't take much to realize that The Second City has always had a huge inferiority complex.  Do a little reading on the city's Colombian Exhibition and you'll see.  The Second City. And that was before Los Angeles was more than a spot on the map, when we just had New York to be jealous about!

Since living here in Germany and talking with the locals and the not-so-locals in my classes, I found myself wanting Chicago to win. Why? Because no matter what you think back home, no one knows anything about Chicago abroad.  And I am tired of drawing an imaginary map in the air, showing where Chicago is.

Me: (pointing, down to the left) So here's Los Angeles, here. 
Local: Ja... so it is near California?
Me: No, no wait... (pointing to the far upper right) and New York is over here, right?
Local: Ja... ahhh! So you are near New York!
Me: No, no. (pointing to the left) Then Chicago is here.
Local: Und it is cold there, ja?
Me: Yeah, in the winter it gets cold.
Local: But at least you are near New York.

Here are the other four things people abroad seem to know about Chicago: it is dangerous, the Chicago Bulls are good, Al Capone "bang bang!" and that Barack Obama was born there.  (That's what they tell me, anyway.)

Now, I've told countless people that all things being fair, the Olympics should go to Rio. (Hey, who doesn't want to see beach volleyball on Copacabana?) That the Olympics have never been in South America seems almost insulting.  In the end, that seems to have been the prevailing thought behind the vote.  Still, that doesn't mean I didn't want Chicago to win. 

It was cool to see Pele jumping around like a kid after Brazil won.  Where was our version of Pele? Michael Jordan apparently could only afford the time to record a few words for some videos earlier in the process.  Thanks for nothing in regards to the bid.  I guess I was hoping for some last minute appearance - him getting off Air Force One with the president or something like that.  Maybe that was planned but they had to cancel that idea after hearing Jordan's Hall of Fame speech.

I think the city itself is about to go through some heavy self-evaluation.  For far too long it has wanted to think of itself as something much, much bigger than it is today.  I don't like to write that but it is true.  It seems like no matter what happens, it can't keep pace with the rest of the world's big cities.  NY is, well, NY.  LA is Hollywood.  Chicago is... I'm not sure what defines the city anymore.  The Obamas? I think they are seen as much too international for that "in our backyard" tactic to work.  The Bulls? They haven't done a thing in over 10 years. Architecture? The only true attempt at something completely distinguishing (on a world class level) in the last 10 years, the Spire, was a complete fuck up.

Sure Chicago likes to tout all its green buildings but it also has a crumbling transportation system and a non-existent recycling program.  Hell, it is nearly a one newspaper city.  I'm curious what the next mayoral election will bring. I think far too many big problems have been pushed aside in pursuit of the Olympics.  Maybe Daley's time is finally running out, though I know that's been written a lot over the last 20 years.

That's all pretty harsh but I mean most of it as tough love. I hope that Chicago can use all that pride and effort and begin to fix some of the serious issues facing it.  Get up, shake it off and get back to work.  That's what Chicago's always been about anyway. This time, however, I'd like to see it done with some new leadership.

Obviously I was pretty disappointed after the result.  Had they come in second, I might have felt a little better.  But only a bit.  Still, that pretty much killed our Friday evening.  Even watching the original Star Wars in German didn't cheer me up.

For all that talk about "we did good things for the city, the world knows us better now...." I only have one thought.

The current Chicago ambassador to Germany: Jim Belushi.  Seriously.  That show is on twice a day here in re-runs.  And believe me, it is just as bad in German.  On the two occasions I've worn a Bears logo in public I've been asked by strangers if I like that show.  F'in Jim Belushi.  Maybe he should have been involved in the bid instead.

Maybe this one from Junior Wells and Buddy Guy will help a bit.
06 Blues For Mayor Daley.mp3

The countdown begins

On July 1st, 2009 I will be moving from Chicago to Cologne, Germany. Three years ago, I had very little knowledge about day to day life in Germany. Frankly, I never thought much of visiting the country. And Cologne? For someone with little to no sense of smell, cologne was something I was always afraid of overusing before going on a date.

By mid-June I will have quit a solid, well paying job as a video editor. A job that, despite the economy, granted me a bonus this year on top of a small raise. Soon I will have to pack what items I deem necessary and then decide what to do with the rest. Then it is off to a place I am not familiar with and a language that I am only just beginning to learn. And oh yeah, one more thing: somewhere along the way I have to try to find a job.

I have started this blog to document my transition and assimilation into a new culture. I hope to share with you my experiences - the good and the not so good. I also look forward to hearing from you. That's right, I expect some work out of you as well. If you've made a similar move, what was your experience like? And for those of you living in Cologne, feel free to pass along any recommendations.

Of course I won't be completely alone in this endeavor. Actually, that's the whole reason for this move. But I'll save that for upcoming entries.