Things have been great lately, and I have no doubt that the change in the weather has played a huge role. We've been spending a lot of time outside in the sun. This is a picture of Shannon and I in Munich. That was two weekends ago. We got shown around by a couple how had lived there for several years. Europe is always great for those moments when you say to yourself: wait why don't we do this in the States? Munich's example of this is the Biergarten concept. I'm sure you are all familiar with the concept and application of the Biergarten in some form but Munich"s biergartens are ridiculous. Munich has beauftiful huge parks and in the middle of every one I went to there was a Biergarten with pic-nic tables and a booth selling locally brewed Liter-sized beers. They are incredibly popular in Munich. It's the thing to do. If it's nice you go to the park, take a walk, and drink a beer. This is called gemutlichkeit in German. The German's claim the work has no translation but it basically translates to relax, get drunk, and enjoy yourself. Which I did over and over again in Munich. I don't know why we don't do this in the States. Phoenix, for example is filled with Parks and there isn't one that wouldn't benefit from a Biergarten.

On the way home from Munich we took a drive through a section of the Alps south of Salzburg. Totally ridiculous. So stunningly beautiful that I find myself drawn to them more everytime I see them. There's something about Europe. I love the ruggedness of the mountains in the US West, and the Alps don"t have that but they have majesty. They're flawless. Too bad I don't have a picture of that huh. Well next time.

This weekend we might go to Madrid if everything goes well. I want to see a bullfight. I must admit I couldn't careless if the bulls suffer. I am under no allusion that the beef I eat comes from cows who had pleasant experiences.

Okay so that's it for now except I am happy to report that I ordered a new MacBook which should arrive soon, which I hope leads to more posting.