The Ned July Eurotrip thread

I am here and too incoherent to properly say much except I will be at the FAP happening here in a bit. Then I will be even more incoherent.

Stevie and his brother are too kind too, bless them. I am sitting in Stevie's room in the company of an old and restful cat.

won't it go cold?

Did you "pull" a "lass" who was "well up for it"?

You was my lover
You was my only lover

Carsmile, it's all about the will and desire to, in a state of drunkenness and jet-lag, STILL find a way to turn the computer on.

EuroBlog 1 -- in praise of mundanity

Obvious perhaps. But given that I was supposed to coming into London for a fun weekend of this and that and now things are somewhat more grim, the simple and basic is perhaps all the more enjoyable. Even the feeling of saying that is trite but comfortable.

And so the first things I have to say and show are about that -- I wasn't in much of a picture taking mood yesterday, really. Had the camera with me but at the FAP I was much more interested in simply chatting with others. So that's why my first image is this oh so compelling shot of a plane at LAX:

http://photos22.flickr.com/24655514_f0e505be36.jpg?v=0

The flight itself was the usual -- long, tiring, a bit freaky thanks to a nasty bout of turbulence over Canada. Ruined my attempts at sleep and I ended up resorted to listening to the Fall obsessively on my iPod, Mark E. Smith's perfect ranting a source of comfort. Everyone else around me seemed able to sleep, I clutched the airline provided blanket compulsively. But really, it was all the same as I've been through before on flights to Heathrow, to the point where I know exactly where the one ATM is I can get some cash from as needed (except I couldn't get any, some kinda network problem -- feh).

Everything seemed to happen much more quickly, though, it was all rather swift -- whether it was passport control or baggage claiming or even getting to the Tube itself. And yes, for those wondering, the lines I needed were running and there were people using it...and yes, it all seemed quieter and emptier and more subdued. But this is not a place for my miniscule attempts at societal analysis based on a random experience or two.

Stevie's place in Wimbledon is most comfortable and what I like most about it, perhaps, is his cat:

http://photos23.flickr.com/24655515_b1e781da99.jpg?v=0

A most comfortable looking creature, and its purrs are more like growls. Stevie himself is an admirable host and his housemates equally cool, and so this has all been a good soft landing into getting over jet lag and getting my appetite back and so forth.

Since so little of this is all new to me by now -- I'm 'used' to London, for lack of a better word -- this weekend is the equivalent, perhaps, of comfort food, of reliable memories and feelings, an appreciation of the mundane. Still -- especially as those on ILX know -- it isn't a perfect weekend thanks to what happened Thursday. But for now, I will go join the folks at the Trig Brother pub today for some talking, thinking and drinking, and that's more than fine.

For those not familiar with the term, FAP aka 'Fancy a Pint' is ILX slang for any kind of get-together, and as London is where it was first popularized it's always good to be at a FAP in said city itself. So there was a FAP on Friday night which was good, but I was both quickly inebriated and jet-lagged so my coherence was questionable.

Yesterday, then, was a chance to see many of the same folks again plus other people to boot, and the result was grand. Again, there is no point in beating about the bush, but the fact that Liz is still missing following the Thursday bombs hung heavy, even while much talk, chat and fun was had. That various folks occasionally became more inclined to silence and quiet contemplation to my mind was as important as everything else that was happening. This was after all originally supposed to be a full-on Trig Brother game day; that it became a general gathering instead seems to me only right.

And so the day went on -- I was the second one there after Marcello (who probably doesn't want to know any more about the terrible films I was burdening his memory with) and one of the last ones to leave. As before I didn't feel inclined to take photos but rather just chose to enjoy the moment. Or moments, and they ranged, from the Pinefox's bemusement at mp3 blogs to tissp!'s patience as Tom-From-Scotland and I regaled him about the Associates and back again. The most enjoyable surprise was getting to see Andrew again since I thought he wasn't going to be coming over; the person I was happiest to finally meet was Lauren; the most priceless instance of shock/horror was Matt DC discovering Stevem had remixed my track about twilight from the almanac album. I think he renounced Stevem then and there, poor boy.

And of course Tom and Isabel were there, and I still remember the first time I met Tom five years back after having already known him for years before then online.  Still one of the best folks I know, while Isabel is as cool as I remember her as being. Rah, indeed. :-)

I got home easily enough and took this photo kitty-corner from Stevie's place for no good reason:

http://photos23.flickr.com/24864527_f98e84f0ab.jpg?v=0

...but this morning provided some better ones, as I sat in the backyard porch area on an absolutely beautiful July morning with near clear skies and perfect weather and a gentle breeze...

http://photos21.flickr.com/24864530_b90f3189ba.jpg?v=0

http://photos21.flickr.com/24864529_abd5b57515.jpg?v=0

...while the cat (whose name I know now is Chang) prepared for a leap:

http://photos21.flickr.com/24864528_47d8b247af.jpg?v=0

And Stevie himself, as you can see here on the left, is a fine feller. I don't trust the shifty-eyed stranger next to him, though.

http://photos21.flickr.com/24864532_cc23638dd1.jpg?v=0

Today, more relaxing and then a BBQ and music, I gather. And then Glasgow tomorrow...

I am in fact getting ready to upload some photos, MIS I.

see you in a few days!

I admit it's always a pleasure to see bands out -- big surprise given me and music I know -- but even more so when it's on a trip, somehow. Might be because it's a new venue most of the time, maybe because it just makes everything feel like more of a vacation. "I don't have to do any work AND I get to see bands and have a cool drink as well?  Sign me up!"

And so after a pleasant afternoon relaxing and first seeing the Flaming Lips documentary The Fearless Freaks (which I highly recommend) as well as heading out to pick up Simon Reynolds' Rip It Up and Start Again at last -- and running into Andrew Farrell again on the way, a grand bit of coincedence -- off to the Windmill in Brixton to see Shimura Curves do their thing.

I've known Kate for some years, know Anna for almost as long (though alas she couldn't make it that night due to T in the Park work) while Frances and Miss AMP were known to me but that's about it, so getting to see this new band was a particular pleasure for me, because it was quite great -- sometimes spiky and sometimes sweet guitar/laptop/retro/now pop that worked for me just great, as it did for others based on the applause and following comments. Add to that a very fine BBQ in the back and a big shaggy dog who happily ate out of the trash and shandys on a hot summer afternoon and the result was a treat.

Meanwhile, apparently my various photos taken there were approved of, so here you go (the first is just a bit of the back porch I liked, the rest is of the stage and band, aside from the one rocket shot -- what can I say, I just liked the rocket):

http://photos22.flickr.com/25137384_2ae4b27545.jpg?v=0

http://photos23.flickr.com/25137385_bf7248e8ae.jpg?v=0

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And such was the night. :-)

And so goodbye to London for now, I'm off to the train station in an hour or so. Shall be back on the 28th. Again, for everyone who knows Liz, my very best.

EuroBlog 4 -- Glasgow, California (in terms of temperature)

It's rather hot around here. Global warming, we all gonna die, etc. But the point is that this is actually pretty keen since this is the first time I've been in Glasgow where the sun has been out for an extended period of time, and frankly I'm all for it.

The ILX contigent up here are a fine crew -- much thanks to Ally C and RJG for hosting me (in their new spot no less!), Ailsa and Madchen for finding me at the airport, and everyone else for showing up and making merry the previous night at the Landsdowne. As some know, I was part of the early group there when a photographer from the Herald stopped by to take pictures for a review that will be running soon of this place. Somehow I got semi-dragooned into posing, and as it turns out one of the ILXor types works at the Herald and said this today:

ha, i've just been admiring some lovely pictures of ned and lucy deep in conversation (plus some of ally milling about in the background). the picture editor is very keen that you go in the paper, ned. "that hair! he's a must."

Fame, fame, fatal fame.

Got some pictures of Ally C, RJG and myself last night and will take more tonight, but no capacity to immediately upload anything here -- hopefully will do at Nath's tomorrow.

Today friend Kerr was kind enough to come into town, show me around to a few record stores and generally be a fine feller through and through, with plenty of stories and observations about central Glasgow and thereabouts. Also I picked up one of the recent Billy Mackenzie albums, Auchtermatic -- apparently I purchased it from Mono from none other than Stevie Pastel. Small music world, this. And tonight I'll be seeing among other folks Architecture in Helsinki, who I first heard about when I was in Melbourne three years ago on another ILX-centered visit. It's a sign, or something.

Anyway, all's on track for going to Brussels and Bruges tomorrow, and after I'm settled in there I'll post more about the rest of Glasgow and etc., plus photos. In the meantime, hope all are doing well and my definite thanks again to all the Glasgow folks, who rule. :-)

Ned's hair was bound to make him famous, or at least infamous.

You could be one of the Nessies! Sadly old age has wiped clear the memories of which nessies there were, apart from a sports-obsessed one.

Which one is Ned?

The original Spice Girls, clearly.

As mentioned yesterday, it was laundry day so mostly I chilled. Yesterday evening, though, en route to a drink with host Marco and the Jennifer Gentle dudes, Marco F of JG pointed out a tower that was, in fact, Galileo's old observatory. I had forgotten his connection to the city and was truly awestruck -- there was a hero, full stop. Wish I had my camera with me. As an astronomy buff since youth, this was a bit of a Holy Grail moment.

Today it is off to Venice! Should be very good fun. More tomorrow when there is more to say!

EuroBlog 14 -- Venice as such...

Arrive on the train (the train goes to Venice, who knew?) Get off and look around, check your time. You have some hours, enough. You know you can walk quickly enough as need be, at the same time you have to allow yourself the possibility to get lost as much as you want to be. Marco gave you a heads up in general, so don't be surprised too much, as you can.

Still, you don't want to get too lost. You can't fake this like you faked your way through Verona (and pretty well at that). Get a map right outside the station, trust that you will be able to use it easily enough. It is clear and handy, so trust your instincts. Cross the nearest bridge to the station. St. Mark's is the obvious place you are going to go to, but do not go directly there, not unless you are completely dull. Wander. Loop around.

Catch the sight of passages and small streets where nobody is, or nobody is apparent. The difference is striking sometimes -- one street thronged with multilingual talk, another with purest calm and absence. Duck into those streets as you do. Your camera is going nuts, you won't have much time to do anything but peel off some shots admittedly, but every so often stop, crouch in the shade.

Some people must come here for the sun; realize yourself that people who live here try to avoid it instead, that is why the buildings are high for what they are and why the streets are narrow, it provides shade, a place to hide from too much heat and light. Move along in the shadows (check your sunscreen). Find yourself in front of the State Archives, next to elegant Romanesque church after elegant Romanesque church, elsewhere and along. Canal after canal, gondola after gondola (no boat ride, no way, you just KNOW that is one of the most obvious things a tourist can do, and you are trying not to be too obvious -- hopefully, for you are still clearly a tourist).

Cross the Grand Canal (sure is big). Find yourself thanking Venice for clear and obvious WC locations (v. important) as well as cool water fountains (also v. important). Wander briefly into the central Post Office to get your bearings straight, realize it is a huge centuries old building and quite lovely at that. Marble, stone, multicolored walls are on every street and every passageway or so it seems. Continue towards St. Mark's, but digress and digress again. Walk towards the shore of the city, stop and notice the islands nearby with their own treasures. Note that the hotels and the high fashion outlets and all that nearby St. Mark's are just nutty, really. South Coast Plaza redux.

Enter St. Mark's. TRIP OUT.

The Campanile is beautiful, the plaza stunning, it is all an example of power and wealth translated into memorial (and how much blood went into it and was spilled on it?). You can't get to all the buildings, decide you must at least see the basilica.

What is it about a Byzantine church, the first you have ever seen, at long last, that makes you feel like you are in heaven? I may be an agnostic but I am at purest peace. The crowds around me are that, there is shuffling and low talk rather than loud talk, but I have eyes only for golden mosaics on the ceiling of the domes, the stylized figures, the inscriptions in Latin, the sense of elevation up and above. I step behind the altar to see a screen of pure gold, gems, miniatures, carvings, and am rewarded with two minutes on my own of silent contemplation of beauty, when religion succeeds and self-glorifies but does so very, very well.

Return to the plaza, walk along the shore, get to the park marked on the map, as it looks like a place to go. Pass by huckster after huckster, tour group after tour group. The further you go, the less people there are -- perfect, of course. Arrive at the park and feel gratified by the cool of the grass, the sound of the lagoon, the people scattered here and there, the sense that they probably actually live there, likely enough (one cannot be sure).

Eat an apple, drink some water, rest for a bit, then walk down a green path to the older part of the city Marco has suggested visiting. Count the tourists here -- four total, soon disappeared? And soon everyone is gone and there is just street, house, sunlight's glare, deep shade. See a puppy sprawled and sleeping in the shade, see a cat similarly, reach another shore and find nobody at the dock. Relax, stop, and rest, let your mind wander again and again. (People who insist on filling every waking moment of a vacation with the need to do something or be seeing something are NOT on vacation. The best thing on vacation is doing nothing, but in a different place than before.)

Check your watch, time to return, but by different ways now. Retrace steps a bit then follow the map every so often, trust to luck the rest of the time. Slip down passages barely wider than you are, but completely in shade, so very cool. Find the main way where there are shops and travellers aplenty. Notice as you walk the areas just off the way where nobody is, step aside for a bit, take pictures again, wish for time. Approach the station but you still have time, duck away into a random walk around, find yourself in a cool, still park, not twenty yards from where throngs pound the pavement, but only mothers and children are found here, it seems, kids at play, plus benches where people gently sleep. Relax again for a bit -- beauty and calm all ignored just a small bit away. Amazing.

Walk to the station. Take a last look around, nod to yourself, vow to return, someday, somehow, to see more.

Then, the following day, post this.

Chouffes or something? The label on the bottle was pretty funny. :-)

It was nice to meet you too, Alex!

http://www.houffamarathon.be/images/LA%20CHOUFFE%20HD.jpg

just kidding we don't have microwaves in italy.

in italy you cant buy food at the supermarket
i eat moustache trimmings every morning and im a better man for it

EuroBlog 14.5 -- quick update for the heck of it

Today was more chilling in Padova, saw the botanical gardens, v. nice. Tomorrow Jennifer Gentle play at an Italian rock festival and I have been invited along to that, should be fun! Very likely won't be on the net again until Sunday, so have a good couple of days everyone...

And I typed up this WHOLE entry about it before I accidentally deleted it. ARGH. I will take it as an omen, though, and not attempt to rewrite it. Suffice to say they were good where most of the rest of the bands on the festival bill were not. This is as it should be, though. :-) (And if you wish to know who Jennifer Gentle are again, behold.)

It is the final week of my vacation and I am starting to get a bit homesick, but I intend to enjoy myself fully until my return regardless. I am here through Thursday (and am now staying with Marco's dad due to some important matters Marco and Carlotta had to take care of -- I knew about this beforehand, I was just hoping Roberto would not mind, and bless his heart he does not!), with a plan to seeing either Milan or Ravenna on Tuesday, relaxing otherwise here in Padova until then. This trip has been great but it is time to think a bit about the end of it, alas! But not fully, and not quite yet. :-)

So I had thought either Milan or Ravenna but either of them would have taken too long/cost too much -- also, a day long train strike begins this evening, and I didn't want to be chancing getting stuck at a distant station should there be delays. But checking the schedules brought up the possibility of Ferrara, and Marco's dad confirmed that the city was indeed a lovely place, so off I went.

Like Padova and unlike Venice, Ferrara is a living city with buildings from the past, not simply and solely grounded in the past. That said they certainly are houseproud about their monuments, notably Il Castello, the centerpiece of the old town where the Este family which ruled the city had their home. A very impressive brick structure, and I wish I had more time to explore it on the inside, but the outside was at once functional and beautiful. The other buildings I saw -- government offices, churches, etc. -- continued the elegant flow of architecture.

However, my most moving moments came on the city wall, which has partially crumbled in areas, but more importantly now has its topmost part turned into a full on walk-bike trail (Ferrarans LOVE cycling, I found out). With a line of now quite ancient trees down either side, the effect on a summer's day was to turn what had been a necessary feature of city life in past centuries -- especially city life in friendly Renaissance Italy, where the Borgias were known for their tea parties and decorum -- into something simply to enjoy. I paused at many points at one of the convenient benches and just people-watched -- there weren't many others, but those that were there obviously enjoyed this part of their city very much, and I got a sense that this was something special all their own. It was a pleasure to share it.

And yes I got photos. But another time, soon, I promise.

Or Padua if you will. I really haven't said all that much about the city yet, so I should, since I will be leaving it early Thursday morning and who knows when I will return.

I mentioned how Ferrara resembles Padua in its embrace of the past and the present at the same time, how it feels much more like a continuum rather than someplace preserved in aspic, if you like. That feeling was reinforced today as I wandered around the city center, revisiting some spots and catching up on ones that caught my eye from maps and mentions, taking advantage of the day.

Seeing modern businesses, outlets of chains but also one-off stores (if you like) at the base of buildings that have been around for god knows how many centuries may seem distracting or somehow 'wrong' but to me it is a clear sign of how community continues, after all -- the human animal adjusting to its time and places even while staying in the same place it has been for who knows how many years. Many ancient cities that still thrive are like this, of course, though perhaps it is an American thing to notice this more strongly given our relative historical youth, and maybe that particular continuation of time and place, being so accelerated and compressed, makes more 'sense' in our eyes.

There is also the sense of living history, reminding me a bit of being in Venezuela last year -- as I said here in my thread about that trip, patriotism in terms of political activism is a constant presence, and many 'old' wars to outside views are still fought even if only in graffiti, but it is everywhere. Legacies of fascism remain, sometimes carved in stone, but they are countered by other carvings and statues in turn, and that is just relatively recent doings, in a way. As with all the cities I have visited here, the sense of its darker legacy -- murder, war, revolt -- hangs a little heavy still.

But there were many sublime moments today -- the vault of the Santa Guilista basilica, open and cool and soaring, or the taste of a really good two scoops of gelato in the heat. Perhaps the best moment was something a near equivalent to those moments I spoke about here where I was near the edge of the land, on the shore of Skye in Scotland, or New Zealand, or the San Juan Islands near Seattle, a moment of simply being 'lost' somewhere. And that was me, lying on my back on grass on what had once been a Roman theatre, looking up at the sky through the leaves of a shade-providing tree, doing nothing for an hour and a half. Simply lovely.

i was also in padua recently and otm there too!

Today was my last day in Padua, and it was a day for doing nothing. And nothing I did. This was intentional.

A key thing about vacations is to actually take the time to do nothing. Absolutely zilch. Pre-booked, filled-up, rush-around vacations are a complete and total joke -- actually they scare me. It is a common complaint so I haven't found anything truly revelatory, you understand, but I say it because it is true. I literally had nothing specific planned for my Italian part of the trip precisely so I could do things as the mood seized me. And today I wanted to do nothing.

But the key about doing nothing is to do it in the right spot. So my final day in Padua was spent in a local park I absolutely love, near the train station. Though there is a lot of traffic around it, there are parts where it is almost all obscured by trees, and the noise dim. Many other people take advantage of this park but not so many that it is a crowded mess. It is a perfect place to sit and do nothing.

And I did that today. Oh sure, I read a bit from books, listened to some music, stepped away for a bit of lunch. But otherwise I sat on a great bench and simply sat and stared out over other trees and a lower level of grass and thought about many things. I thought about music, of course, and the trip, and a number of private things. But I also thought about the nature of pacifism and how best to achieve it by opting out of certain mindsets, of the nature of mental corrosion via too much media participation, of how to achieve a certain basic inner balance by knowing how to weigh certain pressures and concerns in your life against each other, and so forth.

'Deep thoughts' by Jack Hanley, perhaps, but though I shy away from claiming to be any sort of philosopher, I think it very important TO think about these things and many more things besides, to take that time to do so. And being on break this way is as good a way as any, because it was unplanned -- I let my mind just wander and wander again, and again. It is how I think, and I don't think it a better way than others, it is just mine. My thoughts on such things may be terribly unoriginal but I try to puzzle through them as I can, and hope I am just not reassuring myself.

It is a day like this which makes this vacation as worthwhile as all the places I have visited and all the people I have gotten to know. The internal life being just as important as the external, I do not value one over the other. The two are complementary, and I intend to give both their fair due.

Italy has been great and I will be sorry to leave it tomorrow morning. But I hope one day to return.

Anyway, photos. First, I should say that everything I have taken has been dumped up to my Flickr account, so if you just want to randomly browse everything, feel free -- I have yet to organize them all and add descriptions. As that is about almost 400 photos by now, I am NOT going to post them all here. ;-) So instead you'll get some choice snaps here and there, all from my Italy trip. Enjoy.

A Padova park shot:

http://photos22.flickr.com/29246996_f2985430cb.jpg?v=0

From the Church of San Fermo in Verona:

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And one of many great Verona views:

http://photos22.flickr.com/29249259_2b971ef2de.jpg?v=0

A small slice of Venice photos:

http://photos22.flickr.com/29250330_4126e15c95.jpg?v=0

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http://photos23.flickr.com/29253312_ae1a5d0a2c.jpg?v=0

Marco and Carlotta's sweetheart of a kid, Elia:

http://photos22.flickr.com/29256665_9a29430a1c.jpg?v=0

Padova's botanical garden:

http://photos23.flickr.com/29258436_f392d843e1.jpg?v=0

http://photos21.flickr.com/29258940_3106a14e33.jpg?v=0

http://photos21.flickr.com/29259628_793077c490.jpg?v=0

Jennifer Gentle engage in rock:

http://photos21.flickr.com/29261870_4c08a968fd.jpg?v=0

http://photos23.flickr.com/29265142_d7a9a6fa07.jpg?v=0

Ferrara samples:

http://photos23.flickr.com/29265635_b29d2d68f4.jpg?v=0

http://photos22.flickr.com/29265970_a8563a81b8.jpg?v=0

Inside Santa Giulista in Padova:

http://photos22.flickr.com/29268148_ea7e8a964a.jpg?v=0

As I said, there are many others, so browse the link and enjoy.

Nice to meet you last night by the way Ned :)

I was waiting to see who would bring up the wool first. ;-) At a (the?) university in Venice, near the Grand Canal, there was this big ol' art exhibit, as befits the home of the Bienniale, and part of it was those three huge balls of wool, without obvious explanation provided (I don't recall there being a sign other than a 'please don't touch' message).

http://photos22.flickr.com/26110903_71486c5547.jpg?v=0

Gonna meet up with some friends tonight for Indian food and bowling. No, really. Since I will be away from a computer until I arrive home, just want to say a few things right now:

To my hosts throughout Europe -- Stevie, Ally C and RJG, Nath and Thom, Ben, Marco and Carlotta and Roberto -- my deepest thanks. You all made this vacation for me and I can't thank you enough.

To everyone I met through my vacation, for the first time or once again -- the list is just too long to name all of you -- it was great, y'all are wonderful folks.

To Nick K. and Liz D. -- it would have been an honor and a pleasure. Those who knew you and loved you will keep you in their hearts, to borrow a phrase, in memory yet green.

To everyone at home -- much as I loved my vacation, it will be grand to be back!

See everyone next when I do. :-)

SO TIRED.

Further addendum/conclusion later. But for now, am back in SoCal and am jet-lagged out of my skull.

Okay, so I am more coherent now, and also I have completed uploading and organizing my photo sets, so here are the direct links -- visit, comment and enjoy (and if you're on Flickr, make me yer contact!):

London, early July

Glasgow

Bruges/Brussels

Amsterdam

Padova

Verona

Venice

Jennifer Gentle in concert

Ferrara

London, late July

It's already in the memory now, and it's weird to me to think that two days ago I woke up in London. But such are vacations and trips, after all -- temporary, to be enjoyed when on them and then remembered well after the fact.

Meanwhile, I have had a number of folks ask me if I will -- or could! -- keep blogging about whatever. I am a touch unsure about that because I honestly can't imagine who all would read it, and also because I do semi-regular blogging on Freaky Trigger. Still, if there is enough expressed interest from y'all, I might consider an individual blog somewhere!

While I am on the writing tip, let me mention again my new column for Stylus, Scraping the Barrel. Not for everyone's taste, I'd guess. ;-)

It was definitely fun having an audience for my posts, and thanks to everyone who commented along the way.

sure, ned....

You also have to see the Belfry tower as a gigantic erection. ;)

Brussels - Bedded several women. Purchased coke off gerbil-like man.

Amsterdam - Slept with junkies in train station :-)

Bucharest - Worked in zoo for three weeks.

Paris - Had cold, distant sex with Momus. Why won't he care?

Moldova - Watched translated version of 'Wedding Crashers'. Did not understand single word. Briefly joined gypsy circus, unpaid.

Czech Rupublic - Awoke to find scrotum covered in ticks, drowned them in rum.

Warsaw. Can't stop scratching. Eyes mad with pain. Now living in basement beneath animal fur store.

Prague - Wept from sores. Spent two days literally stuck to public toilet.

Belgrade - Took part in small revolution. In exchange for services, given sewing needle tattoo of black bear with assault rifle. I am told this represents freedom. Bear also has a large penis.

Berlin - Need help. Must find Dan. Please, someone.

Bratislava - Lost anal virginity to a crucifix.

Croatia - Slept in castle of man who claims his great grandfather wrote 'Dracula'. Murdered him with a wooden stake while he slept.

Bruges - Became embroiled in pedophile ring. Did not indulge in own product.

Moscow - Killed bear with cudgel, now wear skin as prize.

-- Sociah T Azzahole (stevem7...), August 2nd, 2005.

Not since Channels 4 and 5 have taken to running about 78 documentaries about Hitler every week, they're not.

future ned euroblog entries-
Brussels - Bedded several women. Purchased coke off gerbil-like man.

Amsterdam - Slept with junkies in train station :-)

Bucharest - Worked in zoo for three weeks.

Paris - Had cold, distant sex with Momus. Why won't he care?

Moldova - Watched translated version of 'Wedding Crashers'. Did not understand single word. Briefly joined gypsy circus, unpaid.

Czech Rupublic - Awoke to find scrotum covered in ticks, drowned them in rum.

Warsaw. Can't stop scratching. Eyes mad with pain. Now living in basement beneath animal fur store.

Prague - Wept from sores. Spent two days literally stuck to public toilet.

Belgrade - Took part in small revolution. In exchange for services, given sewing needle tattoo of black bear with assault rifle. I am told this represents freedom. Bear also has a large penis.

Berlin - Need help. Must find Dan. Please, someone.

Bratislava - Lost anal virginity to a crucifix.

Croatia - Slept in castle of man who claims his great grandfather wrote 'Dracula'. Murdered him with a wooden stake while he slept.

Bruges - Became embroiled in pedophile ring. Did not indulge in own product.

Moscow - Killed bear with cudgel, now wear skin as prize.

― 3, Tuesday, August 2, 2005 8:15 AM (5 years ago) Bookmark

:) think that was an aim chat!

Lordy.