Here's a few pics of snow falling while I was at the office last week.
Of course it didn't do much once it hit the ground but nice to see some snow at least.

Being stuck at home sucks but fortunately there are two cinemas that aren't that far off from my house.
So last night I went to see the eagerly awaited "The perfume" based on one of my favorite books. Overall it was a good movie with brilliant cinematography. The story had a good pace and was mostly true to the book. They did keep the two big scenes at the end and although I hadn't mind them being more explicit they seem to have been more than enough for the Americans in the audience.
I'm glad I saw it and applaud Tom Tykwer for daring to take on this project.
Even though the book is infinitely better.

I wish Netflix would work 24/7 on the weekends too. I need more movies.
I need my fix and without a car I can't see all the movies I wanna see at the cinemas.

Apparently some people still don't know "The departed" is a remake of a Korean movie called "Infernal affairs". Fair enough, "The departed" is a great movie but since it leans so much on the original a movie geek can't help but prefer the original.

Guess what?

2007

So we're a week into 2007 and it's been a rather horrible start.

My car died on me. Started having transmission trouble from my birthday (oh the irony) on and last weekend things went to hell. Got the car to a car shop but obviously the only time the transmission actually works was during the test drive with the mechanic. The only useful thing he said was that a transmission overhaul would cost more than $1000.
The car is now on the parking lot of the nearby Giant Eagle after I got it there with great difficulty. So I'll try to get rid of it asap and look around for a new used car.

We also discovered a problem with the wireless network of the high school I'm about to do a study at. So last Friday we went to try a few possible solutions but guess what happened 5 minutes after we sit down in the classroom?
A power outage.
Yes.
So we wait until we're told the black out won't be fixed until at least noon. We leave for CMU and in the afternoon I get an e-mail informing me the power came back 15 minutes after we left.

Splendid.

4th post in December, must be fucken X-mas?!
Almost.
December is the toughest month since it emphasizes the fact that I'm playing solitaire.
Can't put it any clearer than that.

So I survived my birthday watching the new Rocky movie (which is great) and making some kick ass pancakes and drinking some good ole Apfelkorn. Good times.

Got this e-mail from a friend who went home for the holidays which pinpointed exactly why I don't go 'home' for the so-called holidays.
He said his parents' house felt like a prison and he has to commute to where ever his friends live to have any fun. So why would I waste money on something which is the same no matter where you are?
People always long for this place called 'home' while in reality that very place not only stays the same but moreover changes remarkably over time. Why clutch to something which has either vanished or transformed into something else?

Anypoo, I'm chilling out, cleaning my house, doing laundry, listening to shitloads of music (obviously).
I just grabbed the Grinderman album which is set to be released in March 2007. It's ridiculous but one can't be blamed for grabbing something when the music industry waits 6 months after an album was finished to actually release it.
I'll end up buying it since it shows a different side of Nick Cave. While having a much rawer and rocking sound there's also several relatively mellow tunes to be found.

I think I'll have another drink to the dark poet who writes these haunting beautiful life compositions. Fuck the holidays, cheerzz Nick!

Since it's a special occasion on Friday and just about no one will be around to celebrate it with me I asked a friend of mine in Arizona to send me something I haven't had in ages.

My Dutch friends and my parents will have instant memories when clicking HERE

Let's hope it will arrive on time!

I salute Tom for his efforts of making this happen for me. Cheerzz dude!

Weather

On a related note, what the hell is the weather up to?

December started out cold with a whopping minus 11 degrees Celsius but after a few days it jumped up again.
It's 14 degrees Celsius right now which is just not right for December. I want cold, depressive weather.

Snow seems a faded memory...

Much dreaded December has arrived.
I did find the perfect soundtrack for this horrible month:















Eight days left and then it's 30 years.
Seems like everyone fled Pittsburgh so I'll be a solitary dancer once again.

Good thing I still have lots of Dutch treats left and 10 new packages of Tim Tams. Candy and chocolate shall be my salvation!