i am an iNerd now

i have a new iMac, AND a iPhone.
WOW
both are amazing. Mac geek for life

pics with my photo booth thing

UCLA

Hello UCLA Film school. I start Screenwriting classes on the 9th of October.

God help us all

Haines Hall, where i will be on campus

Safeco Field Seattle

We hit the Mariner vs. A's game today. Safeco field is as always an amazing site. Unreal how so much steel can look so elegant.

M's game

We are heading to the Mariners game tonight and i will be sporting FULL Yankee gear.

Go Yankees! I might leave the bat at home though. And yes I know the Yankees arent playing the M's tonight, but you must fly the flag at all times.

SDSU game in Seattle

We went to the SDSU game against WSU in Seattle. They played the game at QWest field where the Seahawks games. It was a beautiful game, and day.

Qwest field

What the hell are we looking at?

we were 2 Aztec fans in a sea of Cougers....

we lost the game by a bucket of points, but it was a lot of fun. After the game we walked around the old downtown Seattle area. Beautiful.

Hello Seattle

A little bigger than Miss Clio. Pops Hummer in Olympia.

I am starting to admit that the Toyota Solara is pretty cool. Rides smooth, and who doesn't like a convertible.

Goodbye Europe

Cleaning Miss Clio for our sad goodbye, in Calais.

Just pulled into seattle this week. I am visiting Pops in Olympia. These pics are for my Germany family in Schwerin.
Bine in action on our last night in Germany

More garden cleaning pics for Bine the Boss!

Richi 19th B Day

Today was Richard Steckers 19th Birthday, much partying ensued.

All grandparents were there. Was a very good time, with much translating.

the NEW GARDEN RULES!!!!

Bine has POSTED a set of cleaning RULES for the Garden House....

We worked VERY hard to keep the garden clean....

AND we kept the rules very clean aswell.

Picture time

Mike working hard in the Garden with Bine

Me helping....

This one is for Moms trainer... MARK! Do you she what happens to Mom when you are not around!!

Back Home...

We are back in Schwerin, and finaly.... relaxing! yeah yeah, being on a whirlwind tour is harder than it looks!

we have spent the last two days cleaning out Miss Clio, and unpacking all the crap we bought. We are on the job search trail, some of it in California and Vegas, some in Italy and Spain... time will tell.

If I spoke German, i would be working in Zurich and making 70k a year... sigh.
Working on it!

More soon

The Vatican

WOW
the Vatican is an experience of a life time. The Sistine Chaple, St. Stephens Basilica, The Museum. It is a day event, and worth every minute. The Sistine chaple is beyond words. It was PACKED, and even though the guards keeps bitching at everyone to be silent, it was impossible. If you only saw one thing is Rome, that would be the best choice.

Rome

Rome
we spent 7 days in Rome, and it was not enough. So much history, I couldn't know where to start. We hit it all

The Valley of the Temples

Agrigento, Sicily. Hot, Hot, Amazing, Hot, Amazing. The Valley of the Temples is an area between Agrigento and the water that is stocked with Greek temples from the 6th and 5th Century BC. One temple when it was build was the size of a football field. In the Temple of Hercules which was mostley rubble we could walk around in it. It was a three hour experience involving a 2 Liter of water, 3 cokes, 2 small bottles of water, and 2700 year old buildings. Loved it. We have spoke to a few poeople in Syracuse who have been to Greece and they are convinced the ruins in Sicily are better. Of Course these are Sicilians we are hearing this from, but non the less, the ruins here are spectacular.

Palermo...

I feel like i need a shower just explaining this trash heap of a city.
1. Dirty as hell
2. If you have a death wish get in a car
3. Not all that much to see
a. If you did find something of interest and managed to dig it out of the trash piles around it, someone would honk at you to move on.

My Dad always said "The deffinition of a split second is the time between a traffic light turning green and a Saudi hitting his horn"

There is something faster than a split second in Sicily. They don't even wait for the light to turn green. You cannot go more than 30 seconds at any time on the road without hearing a horn, NO exaggeration.
Driving in Paris is a breeze compared to this.

On the bright side our Hostel doubles as a Prison in the non-tourist season. Holes in the walls, no AC, no lift (we are on 5th floor) Non locking community showers. All the elements you look for in a prison.. er Hostel.

Vieste

We spent two days in Vieste Italy. A beach resort on the east coast of Italy.
We were the only two Americanos in the city, no kidding. Many Italians, a few Germans, Zero Americans. A shopkeeper even said we were the first she has seen in the season.

Vieste is definitely out of the way, but well worth the trip. Many narrow mountain roads to get there. Our hotel was feet from the sand for 40 bucks a night.

It is HOT HOT HOT down here. Unlike Romania no one has died yet due to the heat wave here, but I may be the first. Our room was an oven. Two large, mostly naked men laying on a double bed together, sweating like pigs is a frightening sight.

Back to Venice

Venice trip 3. My 3rd time in Venice. Still bloody amazing. 2nd time with the "flying rats"

Miss Clio

This is our Girl "Miss Clio"
2007 Clio3 Renault
stick shift
fast and fun to drive

München

Is this parking for ladies only?
We are in München now and heading to Venice tomorrow.
Long drive ahead of us.
So thinking ahead we are doing the 6pm pub crawl tour tonight.

Ich Machen Weissbier!

Vienna & Salzburg

Vienna and Salzburg are postcard like beautiful. Much like myself.
This picture is of Salzburg, which after walking the old streets and seeing all the shops was like going back in time. We spend the evening in a pub watching the USA vs. Austria under 20 World Cup game. The bar was packed, 90% Americans. We lost but was a very good time.

The Bouncer was named "Elvis" A Gigantic man with a buzzcut than ended with a Elvis like top and huge sideburns. He was Austrian, but spoke excellent english. A touch like AHRNOLD but more spitting. The night was filled with many stories of Americans throwing up in the bar because they "can't drink for shit." He did say we were always very polite though. His one trip to America and what did he do... Route 66. I think Germans/Austrians think more about Route 66 than Americans do. I then met the owner, who after talking to me awhile says I can come back and be a bouncer there when I learn German. Elvis had four huge rings on his right hand that spelled
"K I N G" classic night.

Bratislava

Wow, wonderful down town walking area. A bushel of out door cafes. This Bratislava looks nothing like the one from the movie Eurotrip. We met up with a few guys going to Vienna and Slazburg also. One of them lived in Salzburg for six months. So we now have a guide when we get there. Both of them are from Spokane Washington so after I bashed the town and area we hit it off well.

I am nothing but impressed with Bratislava, small for a capital but worth the trip.

Pigs

We are lost on back roads on our way to Bratislava. A cop ahead is waving at me to what i think is turn right in front of him. Wrong. 60kph in a 50 kph is a ticket. As he walks to the window I'm still not sure what the deal is, Mike and I are studying our map trying to figure out what bloody road we were even on. Cop starts to speak in Hungarian to me. I give him the universal no-idea-what-you-are-saying-I-am-a-stupid-monolingual-American look. He takes a deep breath. "Speed" I am stunned, I was going 60kph which is like slow (math computations to mph later) He writes down on paper 60/50 points at 60 "you" points at 50 "ok".

Alright, i am screwed, Budapest jail and cavity search coming up. I say sorry, throw a few lost tourist attempts at him. He takes a deep breath, "Fine" ah he is picking up English quick. "5000 Fine" After we negotiated our ticket in Poland from 1000k to 100 I figured my skills for debate we about to flourish. Just as i begin my retorte, he whips out a ticket book and starts writing. I explain to him the absurdity of the metric system and how minuscule 10kph really was in the greater scheme of life, but apparently his English stopped at "Fine", and "Speed". Then the sweet heart gave us directions back to the highway.

Hungary was a beautiful country but after two parking tickets and a "speeding" ticket I am glad to be out of it.

Budapest

Budapest has been amazing. I took this picture on the Buda side from the main castle. Beautiful city, with the feel that it is only the tip of the ice burg in what it will become tourist wise in the future. Much like Prague felt in 99. The Pest side is busy, with a few wonderful walk streets, and many cafes. The Buda side is where it really gets great to look at. Huge homes, tree lined streets, and older architecture.

The bad news today, was I somehow managed to get TWO parking tickets in one day. The 1st one was in the morning out side our hostel. The 2nd was due to our not having enough change, and the machine only took change. In a country where its 200 to 1 exchange rate, the machines should take bills or credit cards. SO we tried to make the 2 hour bus trip around the city in the 2 hours we had paid for. No suprise to see the cop writing the ticket when we got back, about 20 mins after our slip expired. Ah well. 6000k in parking tickets in one day! Otherwise Budapest has been outstanding.

Auschwitz

Auschwitz.

We made the trip to Auschwitz from Krakow. It was a little over a 1 hour bus ride. There are a few sights there Auschwitz 1, 2, and 3.

The Birkenau site Auschwitz 2 is an emotional experience. These chimneys are all that is left of about 80% of the barracks from the site. The barracks that are left are stunning. About 1.5 Million people died at Auschwitz. They have done an amazing job explaining what happend and getting the point across that this needs to be shown to all people in the hope that it will never happen again.

Prague and Krakow

Prague while an amazing city, has changed quite a bit from 99, when i was there last. Talk about overrun with tourists. It was a zoo. Every three shops where the same,
1. Czech me out Tshirts
2. "Authentic Czech crafts" yeah made in china scratched off the bottom
3. Dodgy food shop
Otherwise, still a very beautiful town.






This was our Hostel in Prague, we called it the prison. More like a pod than a room.

Krakow on the other had was a blast.
I am pointing to it on a map of Poland at a gas stop on the way.

Krakow was stocked full of bars, shops, and eats.
We hit multiple places every day. It was our break from sight seeing and more of a focus on relaxing and a drink or 20. My new favorite drink is Strongbow cider. Damn tasty. We were in a Irish pub till 4am on Friday night, the place closed at 2am, that's how popular we were. The LA million dollar agent, and the Pro Poker player were a hit. The bartender was Polish but spent a few years at Kansas U, then we met the manager Dave, who was Irish and didn't speak any polish. His dad owned the bar with a friend. The other owner rolled in about 10pm and proceeded to get smashed upstairs with the Karaoke singers. We moved up there at 230 am when the bar supposedly closed. Hour and a half later and a phone number from a kid who deals "underground" poker in Dublin and we were out into the 4am night. Was a night to remember.

WrocŁaw Poland

We are in Poland. 1st bad news of the trip, my laptop was stolen out of the car in Berlin.
We didn't discover it was gone till Prague. Very disappointing, i got online and changed all my info that day. Prague was beautiful but an avalanche of tourist. I have never seen so many tourists in one place. Also our hostel must have doubled as a prison when it had no hostalers.

Now in WrocŁaw Poland, which i did't know existed until yesterday. The drive to Krakow was a bit much from Prague, so we cut it in half and stayed here. Beautiful hostel, called the Stranger, easily the best hostel yet. Krakow tomorrow.

Pics soon.

Berlin

We just rolled into Berlin, tired as hell. Our Hostel is... how should i say, budget.
Tours and shopping tomorrow.

Birthday in Schwerin

My amazing relatives here in Germany set up a party for me with many gifts. We look a little tired due to the 8 hour drive that day from Amsterdam, but it was more than worth the drive when we got "home" to Schwerin.

I am very lucky to have family as amazing as the Steckers.

Paris Photos

This is me in front of Caeser in the Louvre. If you haven´t been the Louvre is probably the single greatest meuseum in the world. It takes an entire day just to see it all, and more to really do it justice. We had a blast, and spent the whole day wandering around it.

Then off to Notre Dame, which is an amazing site itself. Right on the river, it is striking.

Then the party. We didn´t realize it was June 21st, the summer solstice. We also didn´t realize that ment it was a non stop party on the streets of Paris. The 5th 6th and 7th arrondissements where full of bands, playing right on the streets. It was the largest rock concert i had ever seen.

A-Dam

day 2 in Amsterdam = day 1 of recovering.
we took the red light district by storm, walking almost all of it.
then we entered the "Moulin Rouge" live sex club...
the first 20 mins went by with little fan fare, strange show with
huge lady bringing dudes on stage with a big ending involving a banana.
then a regular strip show
then the live sex show
not going to change your life, but worth the visit. the real excitement that night was the people in the club with us. after 20 mins mike and i moved to the bar area closer to the stage
the whole place was VERY small and we had to squeeze by this loud
group of ladies all in their 40's who were very drunk, and very Irish.
they saw us coming and began the hooting and chattering, and as we
tried to squeeze by (me in the lead) we were, how should i say, fondled.
and not just by one. picture a long bar with stools, and a wall very close behind the stools, we
were trying to get past behind them and they almost all leaned back, and started gropping.
they claimed they were the 7 Irish Virgins, and when we mercifuly got past the
chatter didn't stop. Mike and I now know what it is like to be a woman walking by a contruction site. as it turned out they were a blast to talk with as we watched the show.

We realize after about 2 hours that the show just keeps repeating the same 4 acts, and we were about to leave. then a college rugby team walked in. about 30 of them all in their jerseys. they packed in the entire area behind the bar and more. we were packed in tight, and the fun began again. by this time the vodkabulls began taking effect on me and i started to poke some fun at the rugby team, some nonsense about american football, and real men don't run around in shorts and kick the ball when someone's coming... i decided this was a poor corse of action for two reasons
1. they were all very cool to talk to and good houmored
2. there were 30 of them
these guys were great to talk to, and we talked for at least an hour straight, only interupted by the entire team breaking out in a team chant, or the stripper pulling an impressive move involving 30 feet of string and no hands. after my 10th vodkabull and 3rd time seeing the show revolve we spilled out into the night only to be hammered by rain and cold as we headed back to our hotel.

a night to remember

Eiffel Tower Weds, Louvre on Thursday

My dogs are barking! I have walked Paris and it was worth every step. I have some great pics, but this internet cafe besides having the most confusing keyboard in history, cannot load pics. We went to the very top of the Eiffel Tower, a two hour round trip experience, an hour and 45 mins of it standing in various lines. Worth it though, we saw all of Paris from the top, beautiful. TODAY we hit the Louvre for 5 hours, then Notre Dame, and much to our suprise when we came out of the church the Paris night was full of music. Being summer solstice, the streets were FILLED with bands and people. We saw at least 10 bands playing on street corners. Full bands, drums, bass, and all. There were punk bands, metal bands, electronica, all kinds, and people everywhere for blocks and blocks, it was the first time i have seen cars just flat out lose, the people owned the streets... amazing.

pics to follow

Hamburg Tomorrow

We are off to Hamburg tomorrow, and then Paris on the 20th.
Pics and stories to follow.

Pizza Night

"Crazy Dog" pizza
Pickles, chopped up hot dogs, bacon, bbq sauce.

wow
i cant say i would recommend it.

Cousin Elisa und mich

More pics from Baltic sea.

Relaxing in Schwerin

A non-stop feasting here supplied by my German realatives. I have had more meat and taters in the last few days than the whole year before. Where we are straying is beautiful and the people are amazing. As always pictures will follow the next few days.

We are off to Radune tomorrow, it is a small villiage that has had a Stecker (my mothers side of the family) resident in it since the 14th century. We will be seeing the "stecker farm" and church area in the morning.

On another note, i have finaly gotten my cell phone situation straight. Right after getting my German number my phone went out and wanted info i did not have, 3 more days of no phone after that. Now all is well, my number if you call from USA is 011491734322589 lotta numbers.

More later

Schwerin Church

The main church in Schwerin was built in 1175 with many additions later. This stairway was 219 steps to the tower, it seemed like 1000 steps.

Mike tries windsurfing on Baltic Sea

My traveling buddy Mike takes a shot at windsurfing, after 2 hours he gave up.

At the Guinness Brewery

Schwerin

Wanted to get a few pictures up. These were our 1st of 14 Guinness we had in Dublin. Yeah 14 each, was a very fun two days. Dublin was beautiful and the weather was amazing. We saw many many pubs, including the Brazen head which is the oldest pub in Ireland, est. 1198.

Guinness anyone?

Day 2 in Ireland has been amazing
Guinness brewery tour, bus tour of city.
all after late night of hitting the pints
we managed 7 pints of Guinness each
and handled a phone call from mother in the middle
of it all.

I have many amazing picture to put up when i can.

tomorrow
Hamburg

The ball is rolling

Mom has somehow gathered herself to the point of action
ticket purchased!
See you in Hamburg June 6th.

I am landing in Dublin on the 4th
and spending two nights at Barnacles Temple Bar House in Dublin
I remember the Temple Bar area being a party spot, and was reassured
when the guide said "great hostel if you don't mind the sound of vomiting in the ally after the bars let out"

YES

of course that may be me in the ally

Guinness and fish n chips for 48 hours who knows...

If I survive Mother and Myself will be meeting in Hamburg June 6th, and off to Schwerin.

One month and counting

It is May 3rd
and June 3rd is lift off to Dublin!

Can't wait.
Still figuring out thisblog thing