Observations from the Homefront

I noticed that this space was kind of bare over the last few weeks. Let's see if i can entertain you with some new observations from the US of A:

1) American Football is god. It was always on, and it was a constant topic of conversation in Portland, Las Vegas, Boston and New York. Went to an Oregon game in Eugene, bet on college ball in vegas, and watched NFL with Valerie's dad in Boston.

2) Americans have more fun. I don't really know about our canadian friends to the north (help?) but US Americans like to have fun. I don't just mean drinking (lord knows there's enough of that in Germany), but being spontaneous and open to new things and (maybe) weird situations. This creates an atmosphere that on any given night, anything is possible.

3) Going along with the spontaneity thing and anything goes atmosphere is a general lawlessness about the place. I'm not saying that there is a lot of obvious lawbreaking, but things ranging from drinking and driving, doing drugs, hunting, to the way of life, buisness strategy, mental state, and international political actions (especially under G.W.) seem to be governed by a mentality that
a) If there are no rules about something, or they are vague, then you should push the envelope as far as possible.
and,
b) Even if there are specific rules against something, as long as the probability of getting caught is aligned properly with the penalty when caught, you do it anyway (cost-benefit analysis of lawbreaking).

This behavior shocked certain Germans upon arrival in the US...

4) Living in New York is a highwire tightrope act. There is so much going on, and there is this combination of everything happening so fast, being so expensive, and so extreme in every sense of the word, that falling off and getting sucked up is easy. But as long as you can ride the surface of the chaos (or i guess, balance on the tightrope, to use my original metaphor) its a really exhilarating and experience.

5) Man, lotta Hassidic Jews at Coney Island

6) Spanish is becoming more accepted as legitimate second language. More signs, menus in english and spanish. More TV stations, newspapers and radio stations in spanish.

7) One night, standing on a corner in Brooklyn, I had difficulty choosing from eight different types of food for dinner (Mexican, Chineese, Spanish, Southern fried chicken, Pizza, Hotwings and Burgers, Japaneese/sushi, and a deli/sub sandwich place). No Joke. Three nights later, I was in Tuebingen, wracking my brain trying to decide which of two available options i least wanted to eat: Pizza or Doener. I think I would be ok with this tradeoff (since i can get *bad* chineese and burgers at most times as well) if i could just get a decent jewish deli here.

I mean, look at this Sandwich! Thats Turkey, Ham and Roast Beef with Swiss cheese melted over it and ranch dressing, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Served warm. Called the All-American. Can I get an Amen?