In Less Than 24 Hours...

...I'll be here...

...drinking this....

...eating this:

wearing something sort of like this....

Listening to these guys, and doing this, a LOT:



and SO glad I won't be doing this....



Prost!

TWO More Days!!!

In Germany Oktoberfest lasts for 16 days; at this blog, it only lasts for five.  We have two more to go!

Last night Steve said, "If you don't quit blogging about Oktoberfest every day then people are going to think you're crazy!"

Me: "....................................."

So he calls me today:  "Guess what's UUUPPPPPPPPPPP?"  meaning the Oktoberfest tent!  Can we camp out?!  Tailgate?!

I'm all accessorized and am awaiting the UPS truck with my costume and then I'll be READY!  But I don't think I'll be singing this...




Update:  Oh my.  The UPS guy came.  One BIG box and one VERY small box.  I'm thinking... "costume!"  Yeah!

..........Uh, the big box has a gorgeous, kick ASS glass bottle wind chime from my niece for my birthday; it's beautiful!  The tiny box?  The costume.  Very tiny.  Jewelry size box.  No more eating until Saturday.   Eeeeep!

Oktoberfest Trivia

Hit the links to find the answers!

What city is the birthplace of Oktoberfest?

What happy occasion prompted the first Oktoberfest?

How much beer is consumed at Oktoberfest?

How much does a litre of beer cost at the Munich Oktoberfest?  And in American dollars...

Where can I buy authentic German dirndles and lederhosen to wear to Oktoberfest?

Uhhh, where can I buy cheap, inexpensive Oktoberfest costumes?

How many beer tents are there at the Munich Oktoberfest?

What is the most popular beer at the Munich Oktoberfest?

What is Wiesn Hendl?

What are some other foods people eat at Oktoberfest?

What is the traditional site for Oktoberfest?

There is a Lederhosen page on Facebook:  True or False?

How large is the biggest tent at Oktoberfest?

How many times has Oktoberfest in Munich been canceled in its 200 year history?

How strong is the beer at Oktoberfest?

What else can you do at Oktoberfest besides drink beer?

What do the locals call Oktoberfest?

What is the most frequently played tune at Oktoberfest?

Is there security at Oktoberfest?

What exactly is sauerkraut?

Why are they always shouting "Prost!" at Oktoberfest?

How many breweries are permitted to serve beer at the festival?

Who is READY to go to Oktoberfest?

On the Videos From Oktoberfest...

In an attempt to show you new Oktoberfest videos in a countdown until our own BAFB Oktoberfest, I've watched lots and lots of really, really bad videos!  The problem with making an Oktoberfest video, particularly in Munich, is that everyone is drunk.

I mentioned this to Steve last night.  When he came in I was sitting in front of the computer watching drunk people standing on tables in Munich singing "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and lamenting the fact that the videos are either eighteen seconds long, are blurry and jerky, or incoherent closeups of drunk friends.

Me:  "Everyone is drunk!  I can't find a good video!"

Steve:  "Welllllllll DUUUHHHHHH!!"

Okay.  Point taken.  If you look long enough you can find some good ones.  I really liked the Spaten video I posted this morning.  You could see the food as well as the beer!

This is the llloooonnnnnggggeeesssstttttt week!  Isn't it Friday yet?  I'm READY!


Oktoberfest Experience from Topdeck Travel on Vimeo.


(Reuters photo)

Three More Days...

Can't focus on politics this week...it's OKTOBERFEST!

Spaten Oktoberfest 2010 Invitation from Gavin Owen on Vimeo.

Four More Days...

Here's the Munich 2010 version:



I'm READY!

Obama Under Water

Politico is headlining a new GWU/Politico poll  this morning which indicates a "rocky road" ahead for Obama.  This is news to no one, but there are things in the poll that I found interesting.  This, for example:

It’s Obama’s policies that are hurting him right now. By a 13-point margin, voters are down on the health care law. In an especially troubling sign, more than half of self-identified independents — 54 percent — have an unfavorable opinion of the law, compared with just 38 percent who have a favorable opinion.

This is interesting to me because if one listened to Obama, you'd think all the nation's ill are George Bush's fault, yet this poll seems to indicate differently: it's Obama's policies that are dragging him down.  And look at those independents who are jumping ship!  

Obama's approval rating in this poll is under water at 46%.

There is polling information about the Tea Party included, as well as how the group is perceived throughout various parts of the nation.  It's no surprise really that 47% in the Northeast hold an unfavorable rating, although some Tea Party candidates have done fairly well there.  Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 race did pretty well earlier this year; he didn't win, but he did have an impressive eleventh hour surge thanks to the Tea Party.  Christine O'Donnell in Delaware unseated a RINO in her primary and is backed by the Tea Party.  Scott Brown...and so on.  The Tea Party seems to be viewed more favorably in the Mountain West region which is sort of surprising to me.

Another interesting stat: in this poll, 77% of the respondents identified themselves as "white,"  12% as "black," and 7% as "Hispanic."  

The part of the poll that dismays me, however, and which I've posted before, is the names trotted out on the Republican ticket.  Same old retreads.  This poll has Huckabee in the lead and Romney right behind.  Mike Spence wasn't mentioned, but I don't know that he's said one way or the other if he's in the hunt or not.  He's gotten some positive buzz this week, though.    

 

Oddly, 81% of those polled never heard of John Thune.  64% never heard of Tim Pawlenty and he's made numerous trips to Iowa already!

As with all polls, take it with a grain of salt.  Most of us won't really start focusing on 2012 until the November elections are over, but it might be interesting in a year or so to pull this poll back out and see what's changed.

One thing that won't change, I'm predicting, is Obama's approval rating.  Except it will probably be lower as his policies continue to take hold and eat away at you.  

Complete poll results here (PDF - 14 pgs).

Five More Days...

...until Oktoberfest 2010 at Barksdale AFB!

Boston Herald's The Big Picture shares some fabulous photos from the Munich version:

(Lots of Rule 5 action in these pictures!)

I'm ordering a costume and am READY!!!

Be sure to check out the pictures linked here, and if you can come join us at BAFB on Friday I can promise you it will be tons of fun; not Munich, but tons of fun!!

More here.  (Yes, they have food at Oktoberfest.)

And, Oktoberfest Official Site.  Become a fan on Facebook.



Some pics from last year at BAFB here and from 2008.

Live webcam from this year's Oktoberfest in Munich.

A Birthday Trip to Second Hand Rose in Minden, La.

We're back from our latest excavation of Second Hand Rose!  Fun day and we brought home the goodies!  Milly was home today, under the weather, but "Mr. Milly" was there and I see why they're such a good match!  He's as entertaining a story teller as she is!  When Milly is there, her Boston Terriers Heidi and Rosalea come to work with her,.  Today her husband was there with HIS Boston, Fats.  Fats is a beautiful dog, about nine years old,  and the daddy of several of their Bostons.  He told us a hilarious story about Fats fighting a raccoon for his dog food.  Good times!

When you walk up to the store, welcoming wicker seats await you if you'd like to just sit outside in the shade a bit; Raggedy Ann will keep you company:

I brought home my lamp Milly had been holding for me; Steve bought it for my birthday.  I was kind of disappointed that the vase I'd had my eye on for so long was gone.  I guess I dallied around too long on that one.  I just couldn't decide where I'd put it, but now that it's gone, I'm wishing I'd gotten it last time!  But, Steve went ahead and jumped on the beer stein I spotted last time.  Once he picked it up and saw it is a Gerzit, which he collects, he was all over it.  Plus, that pretzel handle is kind of cool!  And you KNOW I bought the green cross I'd been coveting.

I also brought home three of these dolls...

I got the tiny one with the red and white checked head dress on the far bottom left, the other one right next to it (she has a baby hanging off her arm!) and the one in front on the far right, which is a corn husk doll.  They all have strings on their heads like Christmas ornaments, so I'll put them on my tree this year.  They're adorable!

What else did I see?  Well, Charlene asked to see some china tea cups, and the prettiest two I saw turned out blurry; they looked pretty good in my camera, but once I got them to bigger size, not so much.  But I did see this one:

and this one:

...which is really a mug and not a delicate cup, but I liked it.

And this one didn't have roses...

.
...but it was neat.  I liked the sort of pedestal aspect to it.

As long as we're looking at drinking vessels, how about some martini glasses?  Pretty!

Or you could take in the huge selection of jiggers and shot glasses:

Coffee?

These miniature teapots are cute:

Last time we were in there, there was a lady VERY interested in these blue and white pieces.  I have no idea what the collection is called, its make, or origin, but apparently a lot of people collect these, sort of like I collect Belleek china (shamrocks, especially!).

I thought these guys were funny:

Since I'm a Libra, do you think I need this?

While I'm poking about, Steve made friends with Fats:

How about some rolling pins:

Or this cute cat...

...who comes with his own hat!

Do you know these people?

I wonder if they read books like this?

Not into hard backs?  You need some comic books?

Irons!

I don't think these skis were here last time I visited...

What time is it?

Time to head over to the jewelry case, I guess.

You like cameos?

What is this weird pin in the sort of upper right?  Looks like a face?  Weird:

Glasses...

and more glasses...

No  comment:

Okay, this made me laugh.  A pig in a scuba suit.  It's a bank.

I thought about getting one of these...but...the advertising on it held me back.  I don't know.

What in the hell is this?

I mean, I can tell it's a brass man, in an arch...but ...what IS it?

So what am I coveting for next trip?  This:

It's a beautiful eggshell porcelain piece; you can almost see your hand through it.  The glazing on it is gorgeous, but you can't really see that so well here.  Milly and I talked about this one last time, and I've left it there today.  I'm hoping it's still there when I go back and we can wheel and deal because Steve has another beer stein he has his eye on.

All in all, it was a super fun trip, but I did miss Milly.  All the more reason to head on back over there before too long!

Remember, if you see something you like here or in either of my previous pictorials, give Milly a call and see what she can do for you (318.371.9830).  If you're around Minden, her shop is at 509 Main Street and her website is here.  Your best bet though is to call her or drop by and have a Coke and a visit!  Tell her I sent you and maybe she'll cut me a deal on that vase!

We're off now to watch LSU and West Virginia and have catfish.  Happy Trails!

Previously:

Take a Trip to Second Hand Rose in Minden
Take Another Trip to Second Hand Rose in Minden

Full Metal Jacket Reach Around: The Happy Birthday 2010 Edition

This'll be quick; today's my "hoppy bird day" as Steve might say, and we're headed to Minden to explore Milly's new purchase of goodies at Second Hand Rose!  My camera is recharging so come back later for pictures and see what's new.  And again, if you want me to scope out something for you, leave a comment and I will.  I have a couple of requests already!

Here we go:

Professor Jacobson wants you to know that John Kerry thinks you're dumber than a box of hammers.

Pirate's Cove is giving Obama credit where credit is due.

Doug Ross posts on the shenanigans at DOJ and also has a nifty pic for his Links today.

Stacy McCain encourages Christine O'Donnell to use some of the mud slinging to her advantage; she sort of is already...she was spot on this week when she brushed off the "witchcraft" nonsense with, "If I was a witch, Karl Rove would be a fan by now!".  Heh!

Pundette posts on the ridiculous Colbert testimony before Congress.

Yukio is headed to my neck of the woods!  I'll buy you some tea at Yeero, Yeero Yukio!  Give me a call!

This is a wonderful post from Bob Belvedere; sad he has to write it, but spot on.

 Carol has a must see video.

Mind Numbed Robot is in a mess.

Godspeed, Red!

And finally, Bride of Rove tries to think like a liberal.  Well, sort of.

Why in the hell does lightening not strike these lying liars dead on the spot when they lie like that? Why? Where is God when such evil speaks? My second thought was: Why does Mark Levin hate me THIS MUCH that he continues to torment me with sound bites of President Obama and Robert Gibbs?

And with that I've got to hit the showers and hit the road.  Happy Saturday to you!

The Forgotten Man

You've probably seen this video already, but I just did, so I'm posting it.  And before the liberals heads explode, note the part where he says, "...Barack Obama and other presidents..." because I did.   There's a long line of errors that have occurred and you know, that's what the Tea Party is yelling about.  Anyway, it's a cool painting.



More of his work here.

Friday Sift

Quick Friday morning sift:

Busy weekend ahead!  I'm giving a huge To Kill a Mockingbird final today so I'll be drowning in papers all weekend.  Today is my mother's birthday so I'm headed out to The Glen to see her this afternoon; tomorrow is MY birthday and we're headed to Minden to see Milly, the dogs, and do some antiquing.  LSU is having a football game for my birthday tomorrow, against West Virginia, and surely will win it for me.  Sunday I'll probably hang low and recuperate. 

On the news sift, Peggy Noonan notes the enraged and exhausted; while Ms. Noonan is often eloquent, she leaves ME exhausted much of the time.  I used to adore her but I read her with more skepticism now.

Krauthammer is anticipating an electoral tsunami this fall.  I still adore Krauthammer despite his railing against O'Donnell.  We differ sometimes, but I still think he's brilliant.

BoR has a quote which is sad, but true.

One week from today is OCTOBERFEST!   I'll try to get some practice in this weekend IYKWIMAITYD.

Ron Ross at Am. Spectator tells you how to beat liberals.

U.S. delegates walked out on I'mANutJob's speech at the U.N. but I'd like to know what took 'em so long.  Seriously.  And there was Obama with his olive branch, once again, and once again I'mANutJob takes his chain saw to it.  Will he never learn?  Ever? 

Have a great Friday and I'll check in later this afternoon.  What are your weekend plans?

Moonrise

From Hangar 2. A B52 had just passed right in front of the moon but I was too slow. You can just barely see it to the farrrrrr right (no, not the streetlight! Up and to the right...)

Thai Beef Salad

Guess Where...

...I'm going Saturday?

Yes, yes, I'm headed back to Minden.  I got an email from adorable Milly Rose this week who tells me she's purchased a new load of French and German items.  Can't WAIT to go check it out!

She's holding this cool lamp for me so Steve promised to pick it up for my birthday this weekend!  That leaves the money I was going to spend on it ... to spend on something ELSE!

Hey, if you want me to scope something out for you, let me know.  I'll be taking pictures.

Woot!

Previously:

Take a Trip to Second Hand Rose in Minden
Take Another Trip to Second Hand Rose in Minden

Sick (UPDATED)

The buzz this morning is about Bob Woodward's new book, Obama's Wars, coming out next week.  The New York Times has excerpts as does The Washington Post.

This one...

"We can absorb a terrorist attack. We'll do everything we can to prevent it, but even a 9/11, even the biggest attack ever . . . we absorbed it and we are stronger." 

....just makes me nauseous.

"Everything we can to prevent it"?  Really?  Like closing Gitmo and setting terrorists free?  Oh wait...that hasn't worked out yet.  Like inviting an attack by attempting to hold the KSM trial in Manhattan?  I could go on...but I won't.  

We sure aren't "stronger" because of anything Obama has done.

Update:  Woah Nellie!  I was being restrained when I first posted this this morning but Victor Davis Hanson most definitely was NOT.  With regard to the above Obama quote, VDH calls it "a very callous and cruel editorial about the 3,000 who were so savagely killed and are no longer with us."

 You betcha.

Read the whole thing, but he finishes strong:

When all this is collated with the arbitrary withdrawal dates, the McChrystal mess, the confusions and flip-flopping on everything from Guantanamo to the KSM trial, the plethora of regional czars at the expense of the secretary of state’s traditional portfolio, the weird remarks like “allegedly” after the Mutallab attempt, the deliberate distortions of the issues involved in the Ground Zero mosque, the Cairo speech myth-making, the initial al-Arabiya review, the silence after the Iranian protests last years, and much more — then we, our allies, and our enemies all get the impression that Obama is uninterested in national-security issues, resents the position that he is put in by a war against terror and operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and seems to think that at some abstract level past American culpability has provoked radical Islamists to lash out, requiring us to absorb rather than preempt their blows. This trumps even Carterism and is a prescription for national suicide.

See!  If I didn't have to rush off to work this morning, I'd have explained it just like that.  Well, close to that.  He's more eloquent.



(H/T:  Memeorandum)

An Update on the Obamatorium

I did many posts on the BP/Gulf situation this summer and the Obama imposed moratorium that followed. 

The Wall Street Journal posts an editorial that updates the current situaiton:

Today, 15 of the Gulf's 46 shallow-water rigs are idle, due to a lack of new permits. The industry estimates that, at this rate, by Halloween 70% of shallow-water drillers will be idle. The Administration did not include any of these figures in its analysis. 

The "jobs lost" figures provided by Team Obama are predictably lower than the analysis from most everyone else. Once you idle 70% of the shallow-water rigs, well, that's lots of jobs.

And there's the rub. The real fear is that the Administration is using the oil spill as an excuse to shut down the drilling that the enviro left finds so offensive. The President stacked his oil-spill commission with antidrilling environmentalists, who will be predisposed to recommend that any lifting of the ban be accompanied by a severe regulatory regime. The result would be a moratorium in everything but name. 

Oh ye dirty politics, you.  What was that Mike Spence said?

The president is not our teacher, our tutor, our guide or ruler. He does not command us, we command him. We serve neither him nor his vision. It is not his job or his prerogative to redefine custom, law and beliefs; to appropriate industries; to seize the country, as it were, by the shoulders or by the throat so as to impose by force of theatrical charisma his justice upon 300 million others. It is neither his job nor his prerogative to shift the power of decision away from them, and to him and the acolytes of his choosing.

Indeed.

Be sure to check out the Press-Register's series profiling victims of the oil spill.


So as we celebrate the long-awaiting killing of this particular well, let's also remember that Team Obama's political and arbitrary moratorium is costing the Gulf region some 20,000 jobs and the American oil supply some 30 million barrels in 2011 (NOT purchased from foreign sources).