menotoria's reflecting pool

2009

2009-12-15T05:35:33Z

It won't be long now until the year 2009 is history and a new decade will begin.
Soon it will be Christmas. As a kid it used to be my favorite time of the year, now I can't wait to find out what the next year will bring. More than anything I'm looking forward to see more Debbie shows and to hear the new Blondie album. Everything about it is very exciting: What will it sound like? What will it look like? And where will the tour take us all? These are the questions that keep me excited and make me look forward to 2010.
2009 has been an amazing year and I want to thank everybody I've met along the way, especially Debbie, of course, and Blondie. This year wouldn't have been what it was without their kindness, their great music and shows which took me to the most remote spots on this planet.
I've learnt that happiness is born out of courage. I've had a lot of it this year. Maybe not as much as I wished I had but I'm very happy with the way things have turned out.

Blondie have a wonderful Christmas gift for the fans this year - a recording of the song "We Three Kings." It's absolutely amazing. Debbie's voice sounds wonderful and the tune is very addictive. I can't stop listening to it.
Download the song at 10thst.com, watch the beautiful video on rednight.net and spread the news...

Happy Holidays to everyone :=).

Did you do anything special in 2009?

I travelled all over the United States and Canada to follow Blondie's tour. That was without doubt the most special thing I did in 2009. Every single day was full of wonderful and memorable experiences. I wish I could have that every day.

Have you had any relationships this year?
No.

Did anyone close to you die?
Fortunately not.

What countries did you visit?
USA, Canada, UK, Germany.

What cities did you visit?

A lot of cities.
Berlin, Richmond, Portland, Las Vegas, Primm, San Francisco, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Memphis, Atlanta, Chicago, Gilford, Boston, Morristown, New York, Newark, Detroit (briefly), Cincinnati, Highland Park, Kansas City, Dallas (briefly), Austin, Houston, Colorado Springs, Aspen, Denver (briefly), Yuma, Winterhaven, Tucson, Los Angeles (briefly), London, Hamburg, Halifax, Vancouver, Toronto (briefly)...

What would you like to have/do in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

- be less afraid of unconventional decisions and do what I feel is right
- worry less
- more courage
- have more strength

What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Quite a few this year actually. It's been an amazing year because of all the shows and travelling. I can really say that. The most beautiful memories that will remain from this year will be the days when I met Debbie, the days of the shows and some in between. There's not one single moment I will ever forget and not a single day passes without me thinking about the most special memories.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

- overcoming my shyness
- making a big part of my dreams come true
- finishing a thesis and handing it in
- starting to learn Portuguese

What was your biggest failure?

- being too hesitant and silent, words didn't come out when I wished they had

Did you suffer illness or injury?

I cut my finger really deeply on something sharp in Kansas City.

What was the best thing you bought?

Concert and plane tickets.

What made you appalled and depressed?

- rude and ignorant security people
- some people's constant anti-attitude and negativity
- passiveness
- rather sad: that many people are so busy with their own stuff that they don't see what's going on around them
- the lethargic staff at Toronto airport who was unwilling or unable to help me find my luggage

Where did most of your money go?

- hotels and (plane) tickets

What did you get really excited about?

- meeting Debbie, every single moment with her

What song will always remind you of 2009?

"Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough" by Blondie, "Asmallah Asmallah" by Shatha Hassoun, a lot of Beirut and PJ Harvey stuff, "Strong Black Vine" with the extended "motherfucker" improvisation by Tori Amos.

What was the most embarassing thing to happen to you?

I don't know. Probably a lot of things. I'm good at making a fool of myself.

What/who saved your life?

- Debbie
- my favorite music

What was your favorite TV program?

I don't watch TV.

What was your greatest new musical discovery?

Dengue Fever, some Arabic and Persian stuff, rediscovered some old music

What political issue stirred you the most?

The situation in Iran.

Best concerts?

The Blondie shows in the States and Canada this year, of course.

Other shows I liked: Tori, Beirut, Heather Nova

Your goals for 2010?

- I want to keep doing what I've done this year and possibly travel a bit more
- I'd love to take more photos again
- I would like to learn a new language in a different alphabet
- I want to visit some Eastern countries

Mid-November

2009-11-16T23:06:44Z

Two long weeks have passed since the end of the little Blondie Halloween tour and I still think about each of those wonderful moments that I've experienced very intensively. I miss those days and most of all Debbie with every fiber of my being. Going back afterwards is always hard, very hard.

This has been another absolutely amazing year of extensive travelling and touring. I can safely say that the last few years have been the best years of my life. I've experienced the most beautiful things one can think of. I find that my lexicon is limited and I keep running out of words to describe how happy it makes me to travel to see Debbie. The distance and location really are of secondary importance although it's always nice to see a beautiful place such as Nova Scotia. The people there are very warm and friendly.
I find that there's a sense of subtle solidarity among people more or less everywhere in North America. It's a feeling that's missing in Germany which makes it a rather cold and awkward place to live at times.

Two friends sent me a package with plenty of pictures from the summer tour. It was great to see the snapshots of those happy times, especially because I never take pictures myself. Instead I have all those images saved in my memories.

I'm very positive that the next year will also be absolutely amazing as there are quite a few things to look forward to, such as the new album and hopefully a new tour. I'm curious as to where it will take the band.
I haven't unpacked my suitcase yet. It gives me hope that it won't take too long until I need it again.

Not much else going on at the moment. A few months ago I started my new minor for the remaining time which is Português. I'm happy with the choice and I've acquired basic skills.

Blondie Halloween weekend in New York and Halifax

2009-11-02T17:16:50Z

The long Blondie Halloween weekend is over and deep sadness is catching up with me once again. I had the best time one can have in New York City and Halifax when Blondie played at the Brooklyn Museum and two shows at the Casino Nova Scotia - because it's the greatest gift in the world to have a chance to see and meet Debbie. Those are without doubt and by far the happiest moments of my life and when I feel most alive and blissful. Every single fragment of a second is saved in my fondest memories.

I left Germany on Wednesday afternoon and arrived at JFK airport in the evening after a short layover at London Heathrow. I watched "The Lives Of Others" on the plane, a very enlightening and not overly dramatized movie about espionage in the GDR. I took a taxi to the New Yorker hotel and fell asleep very soon as I was quite exhausted.
The next morning I stayed in bed to relax a bit until I remembered that I had left my Brooklyn Museum membership card in Germany. I contacted the museum and they assured me that the invitation was all I needed (which I fortunately had brought with me).

I took the subway to Brooklyn and got off at the Eastern Parkway stop. I entered the museum and walked straight to the third floor where the show was supposed to take place. It was a big hall with various ancient paintings on the wall. I was too nervous to have a closer look.

The Blondie show started at 8:30. The band entered the stage while the whole venue was packed.
Debbie looked absolutely beautiful and very elegant. I enjoyed every second of the show and couldn't take my eyes off her. It was truly magical to see her again.
I once again felt overwhelmed with the love I have for her.
After the last song I got a little sad but I knew that I would see her again in the next couple of days so that feeling was mixed with a big portion of excitement.

I didn't sleep very long and went straight to Newark airport early in the morning where a truly wonderful surprise was waiting for me which made me feel extremely comfortable and right at home during the journey.

It turned out I was sitting at the wrong gate (just like in Halifax on the way back) and when I looked at the clock I almost panicked as the flight was supposed to depart in ten minutes and no announcement had been made in that section. The gate doors were already closed but fortunately they reopened them.
The flight was delayed due to computer problems. It seems to happen every time I go to Canada.

In Halifax I had to answer a few personal questions as to what took me to Canada. The whole situation was a bit comical in its own way.
I picked up my luggage and wanted to go through the customs when the officer told me that I had to go to the immigration office. I asked him what the reason was but his laconic answer was that they would tell me. So I went all the way back down the aisle. The woman behind the desk was friendlier. Apparently they just wanted to verify my passport.
I had to go down a different aisle where they searched my bags. It took quite a while. I was a little concerned that the officer would open my present for Debbie but fortunately he didn't. Instead he asked me all kinds of personal questions about it.
I had worked on it for a while and it meant a lot to me to be able to give it to her.

Outside I took a taxi to the hotel which was affiliated with the casino. The area looked beautiful and the sun was shining. While approaching the hotel I couldn't help but think how romantic and European the town looked. I felt very comfortable right away.

I had a front row ticket. The hall looked very beautiful and personal.
It was such an overwhelmingly beautiful moment when Debbie entered the stage. She looked absolutely breathtaking and sweet. Her voice was amazing.

I had never seen such a remarkable transformation in the audience before. At the beginning everybody was rather shy and cautious. There were a few people standing at the side but hardly anybody dared to get up. I tried to but was asked to sit down again very soon. That saddened me and so I suggested to the people next to me to get up, as well. They did.
After a while we all began to move to the front. First there were only a few people but very soon everybody was on their feet.
The atmosphere was really great. Everybody was singing along and dancing. Nobody was pushing anyone, everyone was very respectful.
We were all having a lot of fun.

Debbie talked about the show in Brooklyn the night before and interacted with the audience a lot. It was just perfect.

The next morning was Saturday, Halloween. I slept in and went down to Starbucks in the early afternoon to get myself a White Chocolate Mocca. I had no idea what "venti" meant but the price told me it was the tallest and so I ordered it.

I went to the venue quite early. I had a seat in the front row again. This time I was right in the center which was perfect bliss.
Debbie wore an absolutely beautiful dress in darkish pink.
It was the last show and I didn't want it to end for anything in the world. I absorbed every second of it between the blinks of an eye.
The moment after the show was a dream come true and (if not the) certainly one of the most beautiful moments in my life. I remember every single detail which now rejoices my heart whenever I think of the warmth of her magic, in every way possible.

The next day, yesterday, was once again full of joy until I got on the shuttle to my connecting flight back to Germany. It was a very tearful evening. Leaving is always the hardest thing in the world. But I left with the most precious memories ever, full of love and with the excitement of more shows to come in the future. I hope it won't be too long.

end of September

2009-09-20T17:49:00Z

I've been back in Germany for a few weeks now but haven't really done all that much. My clothes are still scattered all over the floor. I haven't really arrived yet. In fact, my mind is still in the tour and hotel mode which I'm actually quite happy with. I miss those days so very much and most of all I miss Debbie, of course. I hope that she, the band and crew managed to catch up on some sleep after this long tour. I did and feel fully rested again.
It won't be long until Nova Scotia now. I'm counting down the days and I'm really excited because I got tickets for the shows the second that they went on sale. It will be wonderful.

A few weeks ago I noticed that my passport expires in a few days and therefore had to get myself a new one. I had to leave my fingerprints and a special picture for it. I guess nobody knows whether and how useful that really is.

time

2009-09-09T20:41:11Z

There are several ways to measure time. One traditional approach is to count it by days and hours which is much too impersonal as the speed of time is perceived individually. Then one can count the meals one has had in between two occasions or since the end of a special event. The number of times one has gone to bed since (which is not the best solution for me because I tend to have afternoon naps) or even washed their hair are other possible ways. I haven't used any of them as the progress of time is nothing but an abstract and irrelevant phenomenon for me right now. In my head and most of all in my heart it's still September 1, the day of the very last show. In fact, I'm currently living in a metaphysical time period which spans the duration of the whole Blondie tour, especially the most beautiful days. I keep looking back on all the precious and wonderful moments I've had. I've started to write a detailed and private report about everything that happened (just for myself), memories that I want to keep alive forever as I've never experienced anything more beautiful.

I haven't really done much since the end of the tour. I sorted all my souvenirs. The physical ones have found a special place in a box and the memories have lined up in the most special place in my heart. It helps me a bit to overcome this very deep sadness.

I keep one eye on the future. Yesterday, I learnt that Blondie are going to play a few more shows in October. That's not very long. In fact, it's next month. I hope that everything will work out. That would be just wonderful.
I'm looking forward to travel to Nova Scotia. I've never been there but it has to be one of the prettiest places on earth. What could be more beautiful than seeing Debbie there?

end of the tour

2009-09-03T20:30:54Z

I can't believe that the tour is over :=(. I find that really hard to accept and words would fail to express how devastated I am about that. I myself could've continued with it forever.
I had probably the best time of my life on this tour. Seeing Debbie almost every night was the most wonderful gift ever.
I miss her like crazy and it really hurts a lot that it might take a while until I can see her again. Hopefully it won't be too long.

It was an amazing trip full of magically surreal moments, important lessons and experiences, great new friends, beautiful impressions and more. I learnt to overcome some weaknesses, others I still have to work on but it keeps getting better, I think.
I'm still a bit too hesitant sometimes and occasionally let opportunities slip through my hands which I tend to regret.

After I had spent an extra night in Reno I traveled to Yuma the day before the show in Winterhaven. I had to change in Phoenix where I spent a few hours at the airport. In the evening I had to walk across the airfield, where I could still feel the heat, and caught the plane to Yuma. It was only a very tiny regional plane. There were a few turbulences and the air-condition wasn't working which made it a very unpleasant flight. The view was slightly misty and all I could see was desert.
In Yuma I had some problems finding a taxi. After I had waited for some time I got in an old taxi which crossed the border from Arizona to California. When I arrived at the hotel I went to bed pretty soon after I had ordered a salad for dinner.

Winterhaven, CA - August 31, 2009

In the morning I woke up early. I wanted to go to the pool as it looked really nice in pictures. I went downstairs and spent about two and a half hours in the pool where I later met another European tour regular.
We saw Debbie and she waved which was so very, very sweet. That really made my day.

I felt very comfortable in Yuma. The casino was located only about a mile north of the Mexican border. It was a very nice holiday resort.
Around noon I returned to my room where I had a little nap before I went downstairs again. I met Paul in front of the venue which was located right next to the pool.
I felt very relaxed and at ease. The morning in the pool had done me good.

I left my room again about half an hour before the show. I met Leigh and Cheryl on my floor.
I had a pretty good seat. There were lots of Hispanics at the show. At the beginning we were not allowed to get up but for "You're Too Hot" there were too many people standing and the security staff was powerless.
I liked the atmosphere at the show and I had a lot of fun.
Debbie looked absolutely breathtaking. I really loved the leopard top that she was wearing and the combination with the skirt was very beautiful.
Since Aspen the band had added a fragment of "The Train From Kansas City" by the Shangri-Las after "Heart Of Glass." It took me a few shows to find out what it was and I really loved it. That was very thoughtful as Ellie Greenwich had died on the day of the show.

After the concert I met a really nice couple from Japan who had come all the way for the show.
We had a quick chance to say hi to Debbie after the show which I was extremely thankful for. I had been looking forward to that pretty much the whole day.

Tucson, AZ - September 1, 2009

I didn't get much sleep at night and awoke before my alarm would go off. I was worried about too many things, such as if I would make it to Tucson safely as there had been a thunderstorm at night, the airline canceling a double booking, how I would feel after the last show and probably most of all if I would have a chance to say goodbye.

I arrived at the hotel at around noon and got ready for the show right away. It was the very last show of the tour and I wanted to spend as much time as possible at the venue.
I had a pretty bad view from my seat on the right side and therefore moved to a second row seat in the center when I realized that the person who had booked it would not come.
A part of me wanted to get up as usual but this time I felt kind of paralyzed because it was the last show. I was absorbing every second. I was very close to tears and tried hard to hold them back.
During "Maria" (which Debbie dedicated to the girls) a few girls got up and went to the stage. More and more followed. It was amusing. One girl was dancing on her chair. I decided to get up, as well and soon found a spot right in front of the stage. I enjoyed every single moment and didn't want the show to end for anything in the world.
After a while security people asked us to keep a distance to the stage which seemed totally random and unnecessary. They were soon told off which I was really thankful for.

After the show I was even more on the verge of tears. That changed immediately when I got my chance to say goodbye to Debbie. I was once again the happiest person alive and completely thankful that I was given the chance. It was certainly one of the very most beautiful and emotional moments of my life. I remember every word and every moment and won't ever forget it.
All these beautiful memories are stored in a very safe place. They will help me whenever I feel sad, unstable and helpless. Like I do right now.

Then I said goodbye to everyone else. It was all very moving and beautiful.

In the morning after the show I felt like I was suffocating. I was very sad and felt lonely as it was the end of the tour. I wanted nothing more than go on with it. Instead I had to take the flight from Tucson to Los Angeles where I took the Air New Zealand flight back to Europe.
I hope there'll be another opportunity to see Debbie soon. I miss her so much.

Aspen & Reno

2009-08-30T02:30:26Z

Right now I'm still in Reno, NV. I had such a truly wonderful time at the show here last night. I will write more about that later. It was without doubt one of my favorite shows on this tour.
I can't believe that there are only two shows left for me. I tried hard to find a way to go to West Wendover tonight but it's literally impossible without a car. The closest city is Salt Lake City and that's a two-hour drive. There is no airport nearby, either. It's especially frustrating and sad because I have a front row ticket.
Tomorrow I will travel to Yuma for the show in Winterhaven the day after tomorrow. I've never been that close to the Mexican border before. It's supposed to be the sunniest place on the planet.

I know that it's going to be extremely sad and heartbreaking for me after the last show in Tucson. It always is at the end of a tour.
I only hope from the bottom of my heart that I will have a chance to say goodbye properly. That would really mean a lot to me and make it easier for sure.

Aspen, CO - August 26, 2009

Going to Aspen was quite an interesting experience. I took a taxi to the airport early in the morning. The sun was shining and the landscape looked breathtaking. I could see a few deers running around a field.
The airport in Colorado Springs was tiny and I hoped that it would have a shop to buy something to eat as I was very hungry.
I've noticed that it seems to be a little difficult to find food in the States which is not covered in grease so I bought some raw vegetables with dip.
I changed in Denver where I boarded the same plane again at the same gate. The flight was extremely bumpy and scary. After a coke shower from my neighbor caused by unexpected turbulences I couldn't wait for the plane to land safely on the ground. That took quite a while, though. I had my doubts the plane would ever reach that airport but eventually it did.
The size of the airport reminded me of Galway and Östersund.
It was a really beautiful day and much warmer than I expected. I took a taxi to my hotel. The mountainous scenery was spectacular. I didn't know what to expect in town but the landscape surely made everything look pretty idyllic.
I was a little concerned that I wouldn't be able to check in so early but that wasn't a problem.
I left the hotel at around three o'clock and searched the streets for the venue location. I have to say, I'm not the most talented map reader in the world and so I ended up in a forest. I asked a gardener if he knew where the "Belly Up" was and he gave me some directions.

I had never seen a town like Aspen before. It's one of those things most Europeans have never seen in real life.
Everything was overly expensive (one would've thought I had paid for a whole week at the hotel) and exaggeratedly posh topped with an unacceptable portion of intolerance towards anyone and anything that doesn't fit in. I was given that feeling on a few occasions but it didn't matter. I was there to see the Blondie show which is always like coming home no matter what.
Comparisons to the X-Files episode "Arcadia" started to emerge in my head when I was standing in front of a closed "Starbucks" door on which a sign told me that it closed at five. A tourist who couldn't hide his frustration about this policy showed me another place to buy coffee across the road. I bought a white mocha which was really good.
I sat down on a bench in front of the venue. It reminded me a little of a Swiss chalet and was painted blue. It was pretty cute and had plenty of staircases.
Earlier I could hear the soundcheck from the basement which I really enjoyed. I wished I could've seen it.
I wanted to return to my hotel for a while but couldn't find it anymore. My map gave me a wrong direction.

About an hour before the doors opened the line started to form. Everyone who was there at that point was not from Aspen.
While standing in front of the stage and talking to someone from Denver a woman came over and asked us to move to the side so she could see the stage. It was pretty unnecessary but we did.
"Public Property" started the show and the floor in front of the stage began to fill. Their music was pretty good. I had seen them in Kansas City before.
At that point I could see how different the audience was from any other Blondie show. Most people were upper-upper class and some of them had absolutely no manners.
The stage was really cute and it was wonderful to be so close.
Some people at the front showed no respect whatsoever for the band and the people around them. One person tried to sit on the stage, whereas someone else spilled a drink with ice cubes on it. Several of them reached onto the stage and tried to grab whatever they could find. It was just mean and really not funny. I felt very sorry for Debbie and the group. They really don't deserve that.
One guy had the audacity to ask me to move away from the front row so he could have his picture taken with the group.

However, the show was great, of course, and Debbie sounded really amazing. She looked absolutely gorgeous.
As nasty and snotty as parts of the audience were, they all really enjoyed the show and had a lot of fun.

Unfortunately I missed the band coming out of the venue (as well as going in) as I was waiting on the wrong side. I was very sad about that.
I searched for my hotel. It turned out that it was located pretty much right behind the venue and I had taken a huge detour earlier.

The next day I was very tired as I hadn't gotten much sleep at all at night. I had to check out of my hotel pretty early.
An unexpected and magical encounter in front of my hotel made it a really, really wonderful morning.
The whole day was absolutely beautiful. I experienced so much kindness on my trip from Aspen to Reno which really touched me deeply. I was completely blissful and thankful.

The flight from Denver to Reno was very quiet. The view was amazing and the landscape reminded me very much of Gran Canaria which was a beautiful association.

Reno, NV - August 28, 2009

I was very tired and slept in. In the afternoon I went downstairs to pick up my tickets at the box office. I had to wait for them. In the meantime I went to the theater to check if I would hear the soundcheck from outside. Unfortunately I didn't.
I had to wait for my tickets a bit longer and went back upstairs.
About an hour before the show I went downstairs and met a few familiar people in front of the venue.

I enjoyed every single second of this wonderful show. Debbie looked really cute and beautiful. Her voice was very strong and amazing.
The show was very energetic and I had a lot of fun. I wished it had never ended.
Debbie told a cute story about how she had won some money at the casino while somebody sitting close to her had won a really huge amount.
After the concert I was a bit shy and hesitant. I didn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. There were so many people around.
However, I enjoyed each moment a lot and I want to thank Debbie for her sweetness. I hope there'll be more chances to talk to her in the coming days. It would mean the world to me.
Now I can't wait to be in Yuma and see the next show.

Houston & Colorado Springs

2009-08-29T01:50:32Z

There are times when the real world outside is so beautiful and consuming that the desire to seek the virtual world is comparably small. The last few days have been like that. I won't go into further detail and keep on carrying those personal and wonderful memories within me.

The day after the Austin show I took the plane to Houston. The weather was not very nice and later in the evening it started to rain and thunder. I could see streaks of lightning across the horizon. It was so dark that I had to turn on the light.
The hotel was pretty nice, it was located in downtown Houston across an old deserted warehouse. My room was pretty big and cozy with a big bathtub. Before going to bed I had a hot bath and relaxed a bit.
I slept away most of the next day and wrote a little but special letter.
I was very much looking forward to the show.

Houston, TX - August 23, 2009

I took a taxi to the venue in the early afternoon. It was pretty far away from the city center and located next to a freeway. There was nobody else around and I sat down on a bench under a tree. Sitting in the shade was really nice as it was a very hot day.
Later I met somebody who had also seen the shows in Memphis and Austin.
The band arrived in the late afternoon and took the time to sign items and take pictures.
It was a very special moment.

The Donnas opened the show for the very last time before Blondie entered the stage. It was a revolving stage which was unusual but the seats were all pretty close which made the whole atmosphere very intimate and personal.
I was next to a really nice girl from Argentina for whom it was the very first show. She didn't know many of the songs but had a lot of fun during the show, like myself.
Debbie told us a little story about the meaning behind the song "Fade Away And Radiate" which was written about falling asleep in front of the TV.
I had a wonderful time during and after the show and left the venue not knowing how I would get back to my hotel. After I had asked a few people the woman at the box office was so kind as to call me a taxi.

My flight to Colorado Springs was in the morning. Since I didn't get much sleep at night I was pretty tired and felt a bit depressed for various reasons. However, the day turned out really beautiful when I found out that I didn't have to fly alone which made me feel very comfortable.
I had a long nap in the afternoon and was woken up by a phone call from a friend which was a really nice surprise.

Colorado Springs, CO - August 25, 2009

The next morning I slept in and ordered room service before I went downstairs to pick up a little package which the hotel in New Jersey had sent to me as I had left my charger in the room. I had been without my phone for quite a few days which was a problem when I had to call a taxi at a remote place.
I had a really beautiful encounter in the lobby which absolutely made my day.

I went to the venue about half an hour before the doors opened. The support act was a local DJ who entertained the crowd with new wave tracks.

The Blondie show itself was one of my very favorites on this tour so far. I had so much fun, words would fail to describe how great it was.
The sound was absolutely fantastic. Debbie looked gorgeous and her voice was totally amazing. I didn't want the show to end.
It was a really wonderful day in various respects.

Austin, TX

2009-08-22T01:40:15Z

I'm in Houston, TX right now. The next show for me will be the day after tomorrow. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a ticket for the Biloxi show as it was sold out pretty much right away which I'm very sad about. However, I can spend the next two days reminiscing about the wonderful day in Austin, yesterday, which was without doubt one of the very most beautiful days in my life.

Austin, TX - August 20, 2009

The night before I had ordered room service at T.G.I. which was really good and some of the best food I've had on the tour.
I slept in pretty late before I got ready for the show. Since it was general admission I wanted to get to the venue as early as possible. It was a really hot day, not quite like Phoenix but much too hot to stay in direct sunlight.
I got myself a White Chocolate Mocha at Starbucks in the hotel lobby and walked down the few blocks from the Radisson to the venue. I liked the area. It looked very neat and friendly. I felt comfortable in the streets which were almost completely deserted. At the venue I saw a lot of security people but nobody else yet. I found some shade and a connection to go online on my iPod.
I wanted to see the band arrive but for some reason I must've missed them.
In front of the main entrance I met Randy and Rick and spoke to them for a while. It's always great to see familiar faces around.
The atmosphere was very relaxed when the line started to form. Nobody was pushing in and everybody was talking to each other in a friendly way. All the people at the front I spoke to were there to see Blondie.
After the soundcheck the band came out and left on the bus.
I went to a nearby bar as I was very thirsty. I returned to the line only to go back to a shop about half an hour later to get more to drink.
I became very nervous when the doors opened. I really wanted to make it to the front this time - and I did. I got close to my dearest spot in the center which is my personal heaven. There was no barrier.
The Donnas opened the show and Pat Benatar was next.

It was such a beautiful moment when Blondie entered the stage.
Debbie sounded great and she looked radiantly beautiful, too. I was once again thrilled to hear "Screaming Skin."
I enjoyed this show very much. Afterwards everybody was saying how great it was and how much they loved Blondie.

I waited by the bus at the back door. It's always completely unpredictable how many people will be waiting after a show.
It was a fairly small and peaceful group this time which was wonderful. Debbie looked so very sweet and beautiful. Someone next to me said out loud what I was thinking.
Debbie took a lot of time to sign things and take pictures which made everybody absolutely happy.

Last night Debbie made me the happiest girl in the entire world. I left the venue with the biggest and most blissful smile the world has ever seen. I registered and remember every word she said and everything she did. Each of them is the most precious treasure and has found its place in my fondest memories. I carry them close to my heart at a place that nobody else but her will ever have access to. Those pieces mean the whole world to me.
I turned off the light and fell asleep with the warmest feeling I probably ever had and woke up with it again. It still lasts.
Only Debbie can make me feel so comfortable and feel right at home while being far away on the road. And there is nobody and no place in this world that makes me feel more at home than being around her.

Kansas City

2009-08-20T01:09:43Z

Here I am in the land of excessive rhotacism. I arrived in Austin, TX in the early afternoon today after a short stop in Dallas.
I got off the plane, took the train to another terminal where I asked the ground staff if my luggage would make it on time and received the answer that my luggage would be faster than me. I had my doubts but it turned out she was right.
I went straight on the next plane where I instantly fell asleep. After only half an hour I arrived in Austin.
The next show will be tomorrow night.

Kansas City, MO - August 18, 2009

I took the plane from Chicago to Kansas City early in the morning. It was the second airport on this tour that didn't have any taxis. I went to the shuttle desk and asked about it. The woman looked at me like the concept of a taxi was foreign to her. Instead she wanted to sell me a shared shuttle ride which was fairly cheap but connected with some waiting time. I accepted.
At my hotel I had a nap before I left. I had chosen the hotel which was supposed to be closest to the venue. However, it turned out that my map directed me to a wrong location and so I had to walk a few more blocks down the road.
There was nobody there yet and the box office was closed. I was a bit concerned that I wouldn't be able to pick up my ticket before the doors opened but fortunately it did open about two hours earlier.

The whole atmosphere that surrounded the venue reminded me a little of Luxembourg last year. Everything was very relaxed and the band was walking around the area which was really great to see. I wish there were more shows of that kind.
I spoke to a few people who also showed up very early. We met Rick and another roadie at a bar affiliated with the venue.
At a nearby music store somebody showed us the original guitars from the "Autoamerican" back cover.

The band arrived at about three thirty.
It was so incredibly wonderful to see Debbie. I wanted to walk up to her but I once again hesitated for a few seconds too long. I enjoyed every second of seeing her, as I always do. These moments are so very special, the most special moments I can think of.
I briefly talked to Leigh and Chris which was really nice.
We wanted to see the soundcheck but something went wrong. I hope there'll be another chance for that. That would be so amazing.

When the doors opened I was happy to be back in the front row. However, that didn't last. A few minutes later the area in front of the barrier started to fill up with people. I was shocked and had no idea that there would be another VIP area in front of the regular section.
It was very frustrating as I had the worst view I ever had at a Blondie show. At times I couldn't see Debbie at all which saddened me deeply.
Last night Blondie debuted "Screaming Skin" on this tour. It was amazing and it's certainly one of my favorite live tracks ever.
Her voice was outstanding and she looked absolutely stunning.
After the show we were waiting by the bus. It was really beautiful, Debbie took a lot of time to sign stuff and I had a few truly wonderful moments which made me go to bed with a smile on my face.

Chicago

2009-08-18T13:07:12Z

Highland Park, IL - August 17, 2009

I'm at the airport in Chicago waiting for my flight to Kansas City. I'm really tired after only four hours of sleep.
I went to the show in Highland Park last night.
It was quite a bizarre venue. Not so much the venue itself - the staff was giving us a hard time. Security was totally exaggerated and it was considered inappropriate to get up and dance at the show.
When Blondie entered the stage we were all standing right at the front. It was amazing. I was having so much fun. Then, security walked up to us and asked us to return to our seats. I wasn't happy but I was standing at my seat - until we were asked to sit down. I noticed that people in the center and on the right were still on their feet and dancing. I got up again - only to be told to sit down again. The same thing happened about three or four times. Nobody cared about those people standing in the other sections. It was outrageous that they didn't allow people to get up. It wasn't a classical concert.
I wonder how the band perceived the show last night and how they feel about seated venues.

Debbie looked and sounded absolutely amazing.
During the encore everybody was standing.

After the show I was once again waiting by the back door and hoping for a chance to meet Debbie and the band - but in vain, unfortunately.

The only thing we can't seem to turn upside down

2009-08-17T03:28:18Z

Cincinnati, OH - August 16, 2009

My flight was pretty early and I had to get up after only a few hours of sleep. I got out of bed, had a quick shower and left the room almost instantly to get to Newark airport. Later I wished I had spent more time in the bathroom.
I was at the wrong desk to start with. It was a little confusing. I was flying Northwest even though my itinerary said it was operated by Delta Airlines. They sent me to the Northwest desk on the other side.
I turned around and had a very unexpected and beautiful encounter which brightened up the long day of travels ahead.
I had to change in Detroit but I badly wished I had a non-stop flight instead. I suddenly felt totally comfortable and less alone. I wish it had lasted.
I went through security and boarded the plane to Detroit where I stayed about an hour before my connecting flight to Cincinnati.
At the hotel I had a nap. I really needed it as I was extremely tired and kind of exhausted.

Half an hour before the show started I took a cab to the venue. I should've left earlier. Since there was an accident on one of the bridges I was a little late for The Donnas.
It was extremely hot during the show.
Debbie looked really gorgeous and sounded amazing. I felt like I was home again and enjoyed the show very much.
It was wonderful to hear "Fade Away And Radiate" again. It's probably the most beautiful of all songs in the setlist. Debbie looks absolutely heavenly while singing it.
I miss "Picture This" a little.

I wanted to wave and say hi after this show but again didn't have a chance.

I'm in Chicago right now - the second time on this tour.
I will go to bed soon. Maybe I will get some rest tonight.

Morristown & Brooklyn

2009-08-16T17:47:19Z

I haven't updated my journal in a while. That's mainly because I didn't have much time and didn't get much sleep over the past few days. I'm at the airport in Cincinnati right now.

Originally I had planned to take the train from Boston to Morristown because I knew that it was a very beautiful trip. However, I spontaneously decided to take the plane to Newark instead as I wanted to sleep in the day after the show. My flight was about an hour delayed and I arrived in the evening. I took a taxi to Morristown. While approaching the main entrance I could see that the tour buses were parked in the parking lot. I couldn't believe it and had to smile. It reminded me very much of the last summer tour during which I stayed at the same hotel as the band even twice. In the lobby I met Rick. It was really nice to see him.
I finished my entry about the Boston show and went to bed fairly early.

Morristown, NJ - August 10, 2009

The next day was the day of the show in Morristown. I arrived at the venue fairly late as my taxi didn't come even though the concierge had confirmed that it had been booked. These things seem to happen quite frequently.
I met a lot of familiar people at the show.
I had the worst seat I ever had at a Blondie concert which was really heartbreaking for me. It was located in row six behind the aisle. During the encore my view was pretty much blocked.
Debbie looked really gorgeous. How I wished I had been closer.
After the show I wanted to wave and thank her for the special show in Boston but there wasn't a chance which I was pretty sad about.

The next day I didn't feel very good. I had major cramps and accidentally overdosed on paracetamol which resulted in me being sick pretty much the whole day.

New York, NY - August 13, 2009

I took the metro to Coney Island at about noon. Last year I wrote that the ride on the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow is the most annoying train ride one can think of. I have to correct myself here. It's the ride from Manhattan to Coney Island - especially because the seats are not very comfortable.

When I arrived there were already quite a few people waiting in line. It surprised me even though it was a free show. However, I didn't recognize any of the regulars among them yet. They arrived a little later.
In the afternoon we could see and hear the soundcheck which was really amazing.
By the time the doors opened more and more people had pushed into the line. Some had kept the space for others who didn't show up until a few minutes before the doors opened. It was frustrating. I assume that there were about fifty people in front of us by the time we got in.
The seats costed five Dollars while the lawn area at the back was free.
I found a seat in the second row. The audience was divided into VIPs and the fan section. It was appalling.
The pauses between the shows were used to introduce candidates for the mayoral elections. I heard somebody behind me say that he would pay twenty Dollars for the seat if those politicians finally shut up.
The Donnas and Pat Benatar were first before Miss Guy was DJing right before Blondie.
The barrier was pretty far away from the stage and the angle was so unfavorable that I could see less than I wanted to see.

After the show we were waiting for the band to come out. They left in a car.
Debbie waved which was really, really sweet :=).

Because the rambling girl will never settle down...

2009-08-10T02:42:06Z

... and continue with the tour report.

Another great aspect of touring is that I'm given the opportunity to see places which I would probably never see in my life otherwise.
While arriving in Boston the traffic reminded me of any other American city.
Upon closer inspection, however, one could sense the undeniable European influence of this beautiful city which is maintained with lots of love by guides who are contagiously passionate about their job and who present the history to visitors in a very endearing manner.
For me it was extremely interesting to see those places related to early American history going back to the Puritans and the former residences of its writers whose names all sounded familiar to me.
I've always liked cities that have soul and are not dominated by commerce in the first place.
There was a subtle smell of seafood in almost every street which I've never experienced in any other U.S. city before.

Boston, MA - August 8, 2009

This date meant two things: It was my birthday and I would see a Blondie show in Boston, Massachusetts. The combination was very promising and I had a feeling it would be an unforgettable day. It was indeed more than that. By the end of it I knew that it was one of the most magical days in my life and certainly the most wonderful birthday I've ever had - thanks to the wonderful Debbie.

In the morning the sun was shining brightly. I had a spectacular view on the harbor and the glistening water. The venue was only two blocks away from the hotel.
Judy from London was also going to the show and we had lunch at a nearby restaurant.
In the afternoon we went to pick up our tickets at the box office.

Even though it was a seated show quite a few people showed up in the late afternoon already. We could hear the soundcheck from outside the venue. A lot of people stopped to listen and wanted to catch a glimpse. They played "Havana Affair" and "My Heart Will Go On" among other great songs. Even though we couldn't see anything I was paralyzed. Debbie's voice sounded so amazing, very sensual and strong at the same time. I was completely fascinated.
After the soundcheck I returned to the hotel where I got changed.

Unfortunately the seats didn't have a very good view. I suggested we should move to the center as there were a couple of empty seats. Fortunately we were all standing during the show and nobody minded us being there.

Debbie looked absolutely breathtaking. She wore a really beautiful black dress and her hair was gorgeous, as well. I couldn't take my eyes off her.
I had so much fun at the show and enjoyed every second and every song. I could've stayed the whole night to watch her sing.
It was a beautiful surprise to hear "My Heart Will Go On."

I experienced one of the most beautiful moments in my life towards the end of the show, the moment that made this birthday the most beautiful and magical day. I was totally mesmerized and weeping inside. I felt a strong urge to thank Debbie for making this day so unforgettable and wished I could thank her and give her a little kiss for that. Maybe there will come a day on this tour. Until then it will have to be a virtual one. I will never forget how happy she has made me and I'm still smiling while writing these lines.

I also really want to thank Leigh for his kindness.

Boston 2009

2009-08-10T00:27:46Z

Boston 2009, originally uploaded by me.

Gilford

2009-08-06T19:32:33Z

I took the plane from Chicago to Manchester, NH at around noon. On the day I came in the traffic was crazy and I was stuck for quite a while. Going back was not such a big problem. At the airport I had to wait in line for a bit until I figured out that the check-in machine wasn't working for me and I had to go to the special assistance line.
The flight was very bumpy and I felt the urge to drink a glass of spicy tomato juice (which was kind of ruined by the ice in it).
My hotel was located in Concord. From the outside it looked like a rural mansion but inside it was quite pretty and luxurious.

Gilford, NH - August 5, 2009

The venue was located a few miles outside Concord, NH close to a lake and surrounded by woods. I really liked the landscape. If Henry David Thoreau had ever been into music I'm sure he would've loved the amphitheater. I was a little concerned about the weather but fortunately there was a roof which kept us all dry.
The Donnas opened the show again. Their music reminds me a little of Shonen Knife.
I was very excited. A Debbie or Blondie show is always like coming home for me. There is absolutely no place in the world where I feel happier and more comfortable.
Debbie looked breathtakingly beautiful and her voice was crystal clear and simply amazing.
I enjoyed every single song as I always do. I hold each of them very dear and wouldn't want to miss any of them.
It was a really great show in every respect.
Debbie was absolutely wonderful. I'm always overwhelmed with how very much love one can feel for a person. And I do.

I'm in Boston right now. The next show will be the day after tomorrow.
I'm especially excited because it's my birthday on that day. I'll turn 25 and I'll be doing what I love doing the most.

P-ure Tennessee

2009-08-05T01:53:31Z

After reminiscing about the wonderful show in Albuquerque I fell asleep with a big smile and slept extremely well at night. I got up and went to the airport to start my journey to Memphis. I had to change in Houston where I stayed for three hours before my connecting flight.
While the weather was still pretty good in New Mexico it was pouring in Memphis where I arrived in the darkness. I had been overwhelmed by the kindness I met with people in Albuquerque and slightly missed it in Memphis. The taxi driver took me to the wrong hotel and when I finally arrived in my room I found out that the internet wasn't working properly and no room service was available. The next morning I paid for one night and moved to a different hotel around the corner where everything was working and the staff was very friendly. I spent the day relaxing as I was still a little tired from the trip.

Memphis, TN - August 1, 2009

It was pouring again all day before it started to clear up in the evening. By the time I left the hotel the rain had gone and the weather was nice and warm. Horse-drawn carriages with tourists and guides could be seen in the streets.
I was not quite sure where the venue was located as the indicated address directed me to a building near the river. The amphitheater, however, was located on a little island. I asked a couple waiting at a traffic light who told me that there was a little monorail train going to the island. On the train we talked about Germany for a while and how they used to have exchange students from there.
The island was surrounded by the Mississippi which made it a very beautiful place for a concert.
I sat next to a friendly guy from Texas who was also there to see Blondie.
The Donnas opened and Blondie was next. I had a very good seat and was very excited. I enjoyed the show very much and didn't want them to stop for anything in the world. It was very special for me.
Debbie wore a really pretty red dress and looked absolutely gorgeous.
I was thrilled to hear "Get Off Of My Cloud" again which I really loved during the summer tour last year.
After the show I offered my seat to a woman behind me and left. I was very happy.
This time I didn't take the monorail train but walked across the bridge. The air was still really warm and I enjoyed the walk while thinking about the show.

At the hotel I couldn't sleep as it was very noisy on my floor. A few hours before I had to get up to catch my flight to Atlanta the fire alarm went off. I would've preferred to ignore it but the sound was so noisy that it would've made my ears bleed had I stayed much longer. I went to the staircase where people were slowly moving downstairs. After a few minutes the firefighters arrived and went upstairs to the tenth floor - my floor.
After about ten minutes they returned and let us go back upstairs.
I was very tired.

Atlanta, GA - August 2, 2009

At the airport I got me some coffee at Starbucks and went online before I boarded the plane to Atlanta. I arrived at the hotel at around noon. I ordered lunch and had a short nap before I got ready for the show.
I crossed the street and walked to the next hotel where I got a taxi to the amphitheater. It soon started raining and I was worried it would last the whole evening during the show.
However, after a while the rain stopped and it became very hot. Everybody was sitting down at the tables. My seat was in the pit section at a table not too far away from the stage.
The Donnas and Pat Benatar started the performance.
When it was Blondie's turn I got up from my seat and stood right at the stage. The whole atmosphere was very energetic but also relaxed at the same time. Everybody was dancing and having fun.
Debbie looked absolutely breathtaking. Her dress was a dream and the new look is stunning in every respect.
She looked particularly angelic during "Fade Away And Radiate" which was really wonderful to hear again.
Debbie asked the audience which states everybody was from, including New Jersey and New York.
I enjoyed every single second of the show and wished it had never ended.
I was in heaven and once again went to sleep with a big smile on my face.

At the moment I'm in Concord, NH. The next show is in Gilford tomorrow night. I can't wait.

Out In New Mexico

2009-08-01T19:10:15Z

Albuquerque, NM - July 29, 2009

I didn't get much sleep after the Phoenix show. I got up at four o'clock already and took the plane to Albuquerque at around nine. There were no clouds in the sky and the view of the New Mexican desert and areas covered by red soil was breathtaking.
I arrived at the hotel at lunchtime. I ordered some food from the room service menu which mainly consisted of Mexican food. In the afternoon I got ready for the show and took the shuttle from the hotel to the casino. On the bus I met two women from Indiana who were also going to the show. The bus ride took about fifteen minutes. The driver pointed at a white tent on a field and explained that was where the concert would take place. We were supposed to take the shuttle there.
At the box office I received my ticket before we went to the spot where the shuttle would pick everybody up. It was raining outside. I met a girl named Maria who also wanted to see Blondie. We were the first to get on the bus and the first to get off.
The area was surrounded by a little wooden fence. The bus dropped us off at the entrance where we started to run to the front row to get seats in the center.
It was a very beautiful place for a concert with nothing but meadows all around. Behind the stage was a railtrack where the train from Albuquerque to Santa Fe was passing by occasionally (I was told that the track was built at a time when the government had too much money. Apparently the train is not of much use for commuters, thought as it doesn't run at peak times).

As the rain started to get heavier people went to the merchandise stand to buy rain ponchos. Eventually I bought a green one myself. The weather kept changing from heavy rain to heat and we simultaneously adapted our clothes. It was hilarious. The atmosphere was very relaxed and everybody around was extremely nice and friendly.

The Donnas opened the show and Blondie was next this time.
The crowd went wild and was screaming and shouting. The security staff could not hold people back who were working their way towards the front. Everbody was dancing but nobody was pushing.

Debbie was so very wonderful. She looked absolutely stunning and sounded amazing. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I enjoyed every single second of the show.
I was in heaven and wanted to keep the memories of this wonderful evening as vivid as possible.
After the last song "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" I packed my things and worked my way through the crowd who was now waiting for Pat Benatar. It took me quite a while.
At the exit I took the shuttle back to the casino where I had to wait for another shuttle to my hotel.

I accidentally left my poncho in Albuquerque. I have a feeling I might need it here in Memphis tonight as it has been raining all afternoon.

Phoenix

2009-07-31T13:33:02Z

I'm in Memphis right now looking forward to the next concert tomorrow night. Last night Blondie played a show in Marksville, LA. Unfortunately, Ticketmaster had no good tickets and I couldn't find any public transportation that would go there. I was very gutted about that, especially because it was a Blondie only show. So, with a heavy heart, I realized I had to skip it and made plans to go straight to Memphis from Albuquerque (with a brief stop at the airport in Houston).

Phoenix, AZ - July 28, 2009

I spent pretty much the whole day inside as it was too hot to go outside. In the evening, about an hour before the show started, I went downstairs. I couldn't believe how hot it still was. The Dodge Theater was only a few blocks away from the hotel but even that seemed way too far. People were sitting outside in front of restaurants while Mexican music was playing - but the streets were pretty empty.

The Donnas were supposed to open but the singer had some problems with her voice which is why they couldn't perform. Instead a local singer/songwriter with a guitar named Joey (I think) was announced who had heard about the show only twenty minutes earlier. He sounded pretty good and I liked the first song.
Pat Benatar was next. I didn't know any of the songs she was playing except "Love Is A Battlefield" and "We Belong" sounded slightly familiar, too.

I read that Chris is a fan of Beirut - and one can tell: "Nantes" was playing before the Blondie show started and while entering the stage the band members were accompanied by "My Family's Role In The World Revolution." It was great to hear that as Beirut is indeed a superb group.

I got very excited about seeing Debbie again. Every single show that I am able to see is like a big gift which I'm extremely thankful for.
Debbie wore the cutest dress I've ever seen and she looked absolutely beautiful and sounded amazing.
They started the show with "Call Me."
My favorite songs were "Two Times Blue" and "You're Too Hot" which made me a bit nostalgic. I was really happy to hear two songs from "Necessary Evil."
"The Tide Is High" included parts of "I'll Take You There" during which Leigh played his bass solo. It works together perfectly.
After "Heart Of Glass" they played a cover by Michael Jackson called "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" which I thought was really great.
Debbie has the ability to make every song she sings her own. She has the most special voice I've ever heard and I fall in love with every new song I hear.

During the first shows of the tour Blondie performed a brand-new song allegedly called "Love Doesn't Frighten Me", a song I only heard about but haven't heard myself yet. It would be wonderful if it found its way back into the setlist.

This is only the beginning of the tour and I'm very much looking forward to the next shows. The show in Albuquerque the day before yesterday was amazing in every respect. I will write a report about it soon. Now I need to have breakfast.

Phoenix. Sunny. High 113F

2009-07-28T15:24:28Z

I'm in Phoenix, Arizona which is probably one of the hottest civilized places in the world right now. It's seven o'clock in the morning and I've been awake for a few hours already.

The day before yesterday I took the plane from Hamburg to London where I had to wait for about three hours for my connecting flight. I flew British Airways again. On the runway I saw the new Airbus 380 Emirates plane. It was overwhelming and made all the planes around it look ridiculously tiny.
The flight was about ten and a half hours. On the way it passed Greenland where the landscape with its icebergs, canyons and deep blue and greenish water looked simply breathtaking. I wished I could've stopped to take some pictures.
I sat next to a chatty guy from Southampton whose entire life story I knew after a few hours.
After lunch I decided to escape and started my movie marathon with "Amélie" and "The Birds."
The seat was comfortable for a while but soon I had to realize that Premium Economy really isn't worth the price.

While approaching Phoenix there were no clouds in the sky and one could see the beautiful desert landscape.
Of course, I had checked the weather forecast and the plane crew also warned us that it would be about 45 degrees Celsius - but I can safely say that I was very surprised how hot it really was considering that it was already evening.
Inside the terminal building of "America's friendliest airport" I had to wait for about fifteen minutes for my luggage. The friendliness was proven when a friendly staff person helped me get my suitcase off the carousel.
It is beyond me how it ended up being so heavy but I have the ominous feeling that not every airline on this tour will be as tolerant as British Airways.

I was surprised to see signs in three languages, one of them being German. That is quite rare.
I took a taxi to my hotel in downtown Phoenix where each of the huge buildings looked like they were constructed in the last few years. I soon went to bed and woke up again very early.
At around 10 o'clock I walked around the area for a bit. I saw a few beautiful churches between the office buildings, theaters, deserted streets (which seemed strange as it was Monday morning) and no shops. I returned to the hotel very soon as it was simply too hot and I didn't want to get sunburned.

Tonight will be the first show of the tour and I'm extremely excited. The theater is only a few blocks away.

vacation time/Blondie tour

2009-07-20T14:18:27Z

I'm now officially done with all my work and ready to go on vacation. Last week I handed my genitive study and various other projects in. I also received the results for my Portuguese exam in which I only made a few minor mistakes. I'm glad that I achieved everything I had planned (even though I will receive the results for everything by the end of the summer).

Most of my flights and hotels for the Blondie tour are booked now. Since I have the time I'm very happy that I am able to see one show earlier than I expected. On Sunday I will leave Germany and fly to Phoenix after a brief stop in London. I will have a whole day to do some sightseeing (if it won't be too hot) before the tour begins for me.
I really love the beautiful pictures I've seen of the shows so far and I'm very much looking forward to hearing the new song.
This is all very exciting.

Too darn hot

2009-07-04T14:47:26Z

I'm sometimes referred to as someone who can go on about a topic for a long time without interruption. Whether that is considered a positive or negative thing is up to every individual to decide. In fact, it wasn't until I started university that I learnt to elaborate on little details.

At this point in my studies I'm taking great advantage of this. I'm currently working on an empirical study on genitive constructions with regard to New Zealand and British English. I've been working on spreadsheets, prior research and Chi-square calculations for weeks to achieve the most genuine and representative result possible.

I've now started work on wording the coded data which is going to measure about 15 pages.

I'm supposed to hand it in by August 15 but I will have to finish it at least two weeks earlier as I'm leaving for the States at the end of July.

I don't have much time to breathe at the moment but it might be that the current pressure makes the prospect of the upcoming holidays even more exciting.

Next Friday I'm going to write my Portuguese exam. I'm proud to say that I have 100% attendance and I'm well-prepared. I've studied hard and without a real break over the past few months.

Yesterday, I wrote my final essay for the written expression course which is conducted by a journalist from Birmingham. I was quite satisifed with the result (I wrote a detailed report on the current situation in Iran with regard to media censorship) until I learnt that it had become much too long and I was obliged to cut a few paragraphs which kind of mutilated the whole thing.

In a few weeks it will finally be over and I can go back to the States. I will start the Blondie tour in either Albuquerque or Memphis.

Yesterday, I bought a front row center ticket for the Blondie show in Winterhaven. It came up on the venue site right away which really made my day. I now have most of my tickets for the tour. There are a few gaps in between the concerts and I will have to see if it's still possible to obtain good tickets for those shows. I will keep trying to make it possible. I'm looking forward to each of the shows and there are some particular places I'm especially excited about. I'm positive that it's going to be a very adventurous tour across the United States full of beautiful moments and amazing places. And what's of course most important of all: I will see Debbie almost every night. That will be heavenly. I can't think of anything more beautiful in the world than that.

The next day after the Brooklyn show on August 14 there will be a Tori Amos concert which I think is quite a coincidence. I bought myself a ticket in case I want to go. The show in Cincinnati on the 15 will be seated so it don't need to line up early which means I can travel to Ohio on the same day.

I really enjoyed watching the little tour interview with Debbie, yesterday. She is absolutely cute in it. It made me smile much.

I hope that she had a very wonderful birthday.

Friday night

2009-06-05T23:08:19Z

One night recently, I took a walk down memory lane. I sat down and read all my private tour reports from last summer again. All of them are meticulously detailed which made it a very long and beautiful walk. I enjoyed going to all those various places one more time in my imagination. It immediately brought back this warm feeling I had during the entire tour. Written words do have that power to take you back to certain moments and revive the most beautiful memories in a very vivid way.

I had a week of vacation which I spent carefully organizing my trip to the States. I will start the tour in either Albuquerque or Memphis with a few gaps in between as I unfortunately didn't get good tickets for all the shows.
It's going to be a very exciting and long summer. I look forward to seeing Debbie again every single minute of the day.
Not only do I plan to write reports about every individual day but I also want to take a few pictures of the places that I'm going to visit.

I've been learning Portuguese for a few weeks now. It seems it's not nearly as fashionable as Chinese or Japanese these days but it sounds really beautiful which is why I wanted to look deeper into the language. So far I've found the grammar and vocabulary to be rather easy to learn. The pronunciation, however, is a bit more difficult at times since the spelling doesn't necessarily relate to the way certain words are pronounced. All in all it seems to have more diphthongs which is what makes it sound so melodic.
I have the impression that the Brazilian pronunciation is more similar to the way it's spelled than the Iberian Portuguese where many sounds tend to be swallowed and the 'sh' sound (which I'm very fond of) occurs more frequently.
The tutor is from Lisbon so I'm naturally picking up the Portuguese way of speaking it.
I had to realize for myself that it's probably the most modern and progressive language I've ever come across. As soon as something appears to be redundant it's no longer spelled or pronounced.
For example, the Spanish write and say "en este país" (in this country) while the Portuguese contract 'em' + 'este' and say "neste país" (among many other examples). Since the "c" is not pronounced in words such as "director" it will be officially dropped in a few years.
All these things simplify the language for a native or fluent speaker. For a learner it means one has to remember more rules.

Viajé de Hamburgo hasta Beirut

2009-05-04T21:44:39Z

The last few months have not exactly been very exciting which is why I didn't update this journal as frequently as I usually do. In fact they've been very busy and a bit stressful, too, as I was working on several university projects and a presentation which took up most of my time.
Last weekend I finished my last project for a course about genitive and of-constructions. It's actually quite interesting, but the way it's handled by the tutor is rather ineffective in my opinion. It's more focused on dealing with technical stuff such as evaluating hypotheses in Excel spreadsheets than the field of investigation itself.
On the other hand, I'm doing a generative syntax course which has a rather old-fashioned way of dealing with the topic including reading textbooks in little portions which I prefer a lot.
So much for the past few months.

From July on, when the semester is over, I will be able to fill this place with more beautiful memories of journeys that may take me to some places I've never been before.
I already have a few tickets to see Debbie in the States this summer. Unfortunately not as many as I wished because for some reason it's really difficult to get good tickets for this tour - but I will keep trying, of course. Anything for Debbie.
This is going to be a long summer and the path towards it will be plastered with plenty of work. But no matter how packed each day will be, my thoughts are constantly with those beautiful memories of past special moments, shows and tours and the prospect of more wonderful days to come.

Ironically, I never see that many concerts in Hamburg even though most of the venues are only a stone's throw away from my apartment. There was a time in my life when I would take my camera off the shelf and wouldn't miss a single good show here. I don't miss those days. I felt a bit restless and insatiable then. Now I feel like I've found my "home" which is not at a venue a few subway stations away but somewhere possibly in a very remote place on this planet where I can see Debbie. Seeing her gives me the warmest feeling in the world, just like every single thought about this truly wonderful person does (the latest pictures from the New Jersey Hall of Fame induction really made my day today).

I still go out sometimes to see other artists if I happen to listen to their music a lot. It's nice to hear the music live, to see what kind of people like it and to exchange some impressions with fellow attendees.
I really like the type of underground freak-folkish stuff that's coming from the States these days. I personally think that the world hasn't had such a vast amount of great artists for decades. I really want to see Joanna Newsom someday (I still highly recommend "Ys" which has become one of my all-time favorite albums).
Another band that I wanted to see live was Beirut. I heard that they were coming to Hamburg and decided to go to the show last night. Originally, I was thrilled to hear that Zach and his band were playing at the Fabrik, which is one of my favorite venues in the world, but unfortunately it was moved to the Docks, a bigger place in the red light district. It was sold out very soon which kind of foreshadowed what I had to expect.
Surprisingly there were hardly any locals. There were plenty of people from France, Poland and Austria. I met a girl who had come all the way from Slovakia for the show. The venue was packed. The majority of the audience was really young. The band played two encores and when the lights had gone on people still wanted a third one. Unfortunately, they didn't play any of my favorite songs such as "Rhineland" or "Prenzlauer Berg and I didn't know all the songs but that was okay. They played one Turkish song in the encore called "Siki Siki Baba" which I particularly liked.
Zach's voice sounds even better live than on the records.
It was definitely an interesting experience and I think the band has a promising future.
I took a picture of the setlist.

A few weeks ago I gave my personal website playmebackwards.com a new layout. I had started it in 2003 as my own creative ground. The last proper update was posted in 2005 if I'm not mistaken. I put some of my favorite self-taken pictures on it. I'm aware that most of them are not a representative reflection of the real world outside (it's not supposed to be) - only a little extract of how I wish it was.

muito bolo

2009-04-12T14:31:57Z

I'm trying something really interesting now. I've wanted to do it for a few years but now I feel courageous enough to jump in at the deep end. Over the years I tried to improve my Spanish until I was somewhat proficient enough to have the confidence to start learning another language. I now signed up for Portuguese at the university (in addition to English and Spanish) and was accepted. It's going to be a lot of work but it will be worth it. It's such a beautiful and melodic language. I've always liked the sound of it.

Last week I started a course on the woman's film from the 1930s. I was a bit worried that I would find myself in some kind of feminist cabaret but fortunately that did not happen. It's part of my literature studies. I voluntarily signed up for the first presentation on the movie "Jezebel" which I'm going to do next week. I'm nearly done with my preparations.

I watched the movie on Friday. It's a great film and fun to watch as it is uncommonly unpredictable but still transparent. I really like Bette Davis in the movie. Her acting draws attention to itself. That is rare and really hard to find these days.

I'm undecided whether to do the advanced written expression course in Spanish already but I did sign up for the grammar course. At first I was a bit afraid but it turned out to be fun. The Spanish are always so full of energy and their methods are totally unconventional. It's very refreshing when the tutor all of a sudden starts to burst into a song by Paulina Rubio.

There are times when I feel the urge to leave the anglophone or Spanish music sphere for a second and I start to look into sounds from other countries (in a completely unpolitical way). It may be phonetic nonsense to me, as I don't necessarily understand the words sometimes, but that can be very invigorating in a way.

I've been listening to a lot of Lebanese music lately. I can't really say why. It seems that when you start looking into Arabic music the majority of artists that come up seem to be from Lebanon. Maybe it's a coincidence.

I've always liked to listen to Fairuz (or Fairouz) who is very popular in the Arabic-speaking world. I also came across a singer named Googoosh from Iran whose music is worth getting into. It's a bit difficult to find contemporary artists of high musical standard. Nonetheless, they're certainly very interesting to listen to, as well, simply because of the language and the foreign sound of the instruments. I think it's important sometimes to look beyond one's own nose and check out what other countries have in store in a cultural sense, especially if the national media does not explicitly focus on them. I think the cultural globalization is still a bit sluggish in some respects. This world has so much more to offer than what MTV wants to show the kids of today.

This is sort of an overview of what I've been doing the last two weeks. I'm going to spare the depressing details as I've been feeling anything but good lately.

What else am I meant to do... I have no answer. I wish I did.