New bed!

So, I can horrify you with the Armenian Genocide testimonies I am working on, or talk about more fun things - we got a new bed!

I am in love with it, but evidently it's the most popular bed at IKEA, the MALM. At least it's the most popular here - the whole bed section is made up of MALMS, so we didn't feel too unique. But it's exciting to have new furniture.

When you buy a bed in Austria that's larger than what we in the US call a "full," you normally buy two mattresses. So, the bed frame is 180 x 200cm, and each mattress is 90 x 200cm. We got to choose our own firmness, etc, which is good because I like firm and Roland doesn't. So, we're both happy, and now when I get up in the middle of the night, I won't wake up light-sleeping-Roland.

That's about all the excitement here - uninterrupted sleep and big, heavy furniture. Not much else going on...

Appropriate location to write my dissertation, no?

I heard tell someone's actually reading my Blog! I am using any and all other ways to procrastinate studying, so why not renewed interest in Blogging??



I got a library card at the Austrian National Library last week, and went today for my first full day of work. The library is located in the Hofburg, the Imperial Palace in Vienna, and if you recognize the picture above, it may be because you've seen it in historical photographs. Sadly, it's probably better known for post-Imperial times.



Yeah, it's where that guy spoke when he arrived in Vienna in 1938. (He's standing on the balcony you can see in the first photo.)

Roland and I have decided that it would be perfect for me to write my dissertation in the same location. I have to walk under that balcony to enter the reading rooms.

I try not to overwhelm my friends and family with my cheery topic, but this summer is going to be all Holocaust, all the time, so you might get your fill.

That all depends on me updating regularly and some kind of readership, though!

Back in Wienerland!

I'm back, and this is what (along with adorable Austrian husband) was awaiting me at the airport.



He's good.

Just getting acclimated and over jet lag for now. Lots of Tafelspitz eating and Zweigelt drinking in my near future. Uh, well, Zweigelt drinking has commenced...

Back to Vienna

After completing my 4th and FINAL semester of classes, I'm back to Vienna. Maybe interesting and funny things will happen and I will be compelled to blog again...but I will be just as happy if nothing at all happens to me and I get to just live and be all gemütlich in Wien with Roland.

Quick update - My Comps (Comprehensive Exams) are tentatively scheduled for end of Jan 2010, so I am studying (Summer in Vienna, Fall in Worcester) and (in the Fall) TA'ing at Clark until then. Once I've passed (*knock wood*), it's back to Vienna full-time to research and write. My funding lasts through 2012, so the push is on to finish by then...and after that, who knows???

So, that's where I am, and Vienna is where I'll BE in less than 36 hours!

See you here, maybe? But don't worry if I have a blissfully uneventful summer and am dormant still...

It's for real!

Contraception is not abortion!

Can you imagine living in a place where birth control is considered an
"abortion" and health insurers won't cover it? Where even rape victims are
denied emergency contraception?

It seems unbelievable, but the Bush Administration is quietly trying to
redefine "abortion" to include birth control. The Houston Chronicle says
this could wipe out dozens of state laws that protect women's reproductive
freedom and protect rape victims. And this proposed "rule change" doesn't
need congressional approval.

I just signed a message to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt,
whose department is considering this rule change, telling him:

"Contraception is NOT abortion."

Can you add your voice to this cause?

Click here to sign the message:
http://pol.moveon.org/contraception/?r_by=-2150683-k3qQuOx&rc=paste

You don't need to be a psychologist to figure out this one

As many of you know, I somehow survived Yiddish class hell this summer in Bloomington. The complaints I have cannot be printed in this nice, warm and friendly place. Email me if you want to hear the story, including adult language and curses on one man's existence.

Anyway, it was 6 of the worst weeks of my life and, at the end, I packed up my little Indiana life and prepared to return to Vienna. I packed one suitcase full of books and another full of clothes. Guess which one I left behind in Alex and Jeannine's garage???

ALL my books were in there, including the school books I planned on reading this summer. I won't get them until I return to school. So I have been forced to read a lot of fiction this month. Oh, damn...

The Giant Pool of Money

I heard this episode of "This American Life" and immediately wanted everyone
I know to hear it.

It explains the mortgage crisis in a "...for Dummies" style and is very well
done, although disturbing.

I recommend it to everyone.

Go to:

http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Archive.aspx

and listen to May 9, 2008 - "The Giant Pool of Money"

And, FYI...if you don't listen already, "This American Life" is a great
weekly NPR program you can podcast.

Escape from Bloomington

I'm in Chicago, finally seeing "Wicked" with Wicki!

2 nights in a real city with real air conditioning!! And a real good friend!

Procrastinating

Anything to put off what must be done...going through old pictures.

This one is kind of funny.

Based on your responses...

Based on your responses, or lack thereof, to my previous posting...

I can only conclude that my blog has become a device for communication
between husband and wife.

Are we 21st Century, or what?

Is anyone even reading this?

If you are, send me an email. I'm just curious.

I've been so bad about keeping up with this, and am embarrassed about having
announced, "I'm blogging again!" And then, not.

So, I am not going to announce anything, unless I get into some sort of
rhythm.

So, is anyone out there?

Because everyone studies Yiddish in Bloomington, Indiana, right?

Blogging from Bloomington.

I am four-weeks into an intensive Yiddish reading course and can say, with a little hesitation, that I can read Yiddish! I say "hesitation" because it's slow-going, and this class has been disappointing. It was supposed to be just what I needed to pass my second foreign language exam, but now I'm not 100% sure.

Add being away from Roland and Vienna for what will be a total of 6 weeks out of the few short months a year we have together, AND the cost of airfare and now luggage (!!), and, well, I am not in the best of moods.

A heuriger and a tafelspitz will help that - less than 2 weeks!

Love to my adoring public

I was just reviewing my posts and realizing that I have ignored you all! How mad are you??

Well, there's not too much to say, other than I am reading a lot about the worst of humanity. Do you want me to expound?

I didn't think so.

Life is good. I enjoying time with new friends, otherwise known as Holocaust Geeks. We are all equally dedicated and immersed. I know, you are all dying to come party with us. Sorry - invitation only!

My most exciting news is that I got a RT ticket to Amsterdam for $459 (including taxes!) and will see Roland soon.

Here's a picture of Elly Georgules, for those SMC guys keeping up with the Georguleses. (Exactly how does one pluralize "Georgules?")

Holidays in Vienna!

I can't believe the month is almost over! I flew to Vienna after finishing the semester at Clark on Dec. 12th and return to the US on Jan. 10th. In the meantime, we had Christmas with the Engels...



...and New Year's Eve with Angie, BIrgit and Erik...

Pictures to come...Blogger not working today...

Nate's here!

Leah gave birth to my nephew, Nathan Charles Geiger, last week! He was born on Monday, October 8, 2007 and weighed 8 lbs, 4 oz. Here's a picture of him only a few hours old and another of him with his proud big sisters!

New specs

Evidently, I had to move back to the US to get funky Euro-glasses. Check 'em out.

Back in the U.S.S.A.!

No, that's not a typo but a shout out to the ladies of HIAS. It's a reference to my favorite personal statement from a potential refugee that began with, "God bless the U.S.S.A!" Um...better fix that before you meet the DHS officer.

And since I am talking about the girls...here are some of them. Looks like a magazine shoot, no? We're only missing Tamanna! Where are you, Tamanna?



But that title also refers to the fact that I'M BACK and fully immersed in American life, complete with owning a car, driving everyday and paying for gas. Yikes!

All this comes with road rage and my poor parents had to experience it the other day.

I was driving home from school and was leaving them a nice, happy message on the machine when someone cut me off and I screamed, "What the f&c%!!!" into me sweet mom's ear! I started to apologize and then began laughing hysterically and hung up on the machine. I called back a few minutes later to explain that some sailor had stolen my phone and screamed obscenities but that I had luckily gotten it back and was just calling to explain. We'll see if they buy that one.

Anyway, this is the new me. Road rage! Remind you of Paul Rose?



And, yes, OF COURSE that was a Beatles reference. I'm not stupid!

Proud Child of Green Parents!

I know I have a lot to catch up on but I want to procrastinate a bit longer and brag about my Greenie parents. Not only is my dad driving a Toyota Highlander Hybrid...



...my mom is driving a brand new Toyota Prius!



I couldn't be more proud!

On vacation til Aug. 13th

Dear Loyal, Faithful Reader,

I'm out until mid-August. Annoying vacation pictures to come...promise!

Bets