Now THAT is a bee!

Since it's a nice day, I have the windows open and all of a sudden I hear a low roar in the corner. It's this freaking bee! It's the size of a small bird

If it's not Scottish it's crap!

Kelli and I hopped up to Edinburgh for the weekend as the weather was supposed to be good, and it was. We had visited the train station before when we went to the British Open a couple years ago (just to switch trains) but never got to see the city. We now have hit Glasgow AND Edinburgh and we both agree that Edinburgh is the better city. Much better to look at and more to see.

We spent Saturday and Sunday walking around, seeing Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile and shopping. I, of course, found the Scoth Whiskey museum to be one of the highlights. Kelli spent the majority of the time trying to talk me out of buying a kilt. I guess I was letting my Scottish last name make me feel the need to spend a LOT (they are VERY expensive - about $500) of money on something that I might wear once a year. I settled for a scarf. Rankin is ACTUALLY the name of it's own clan I found out. Although it is not very popular as such. The Rankin name is most often associated with the clan MacLean of Duart which is much more prevalent. The Clan Tartan is a very cool red, green and blue mix. Apparently, the Rankins were the pipers of the clan. Maybe I should have bought some bagpipes......

We stayed at probably the best hotel we have stayed at in ALL of Europe and recommend it to anyone that visits Edinburgh, The Scotsman. The service was perfect, the location could NOT be better and the room was perfect. Lots of wood paneling, high ceilings and a great view of the city. Not one negative.

We ate some good food, drank some good beer and scotch and just enjoyed a GREAT city. Not much more to it. I did get Kelli to try Haggis, the traditional food of Scotland. It's basically chopped up organ meat (lungs, liver, kidney etc.) mixed with black pepper and potato (turnip maybe?) and then steamed inside a sheep stomach. Tastes a lot like a spicy corned beef hash. Kelli said she liked it, but wouldn't order it.

No big travel plans for us now until we get a barrage of visitors starting in May. Nick and Traci Calkins, Kelli's parent's, my brother Chip and family and Chris Picciurro and his fiance all will be here within two months ending in July.

I have some work travel coming up and will be in Detroit the weekends of the 13th and 20th with Cleveland in between. I will be at the Tiger game FOR SURE on Friday the 20th if anyone wants to grab a beer!

Ready, Aim.....

Parade down the Royal Mile on Saturday afternoon

Beautiful Edinburgh

Walking up the Royal Mile

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh through a musket hole in Edinburgh Castle

Poland

I am giving a training course in Poland for the week and on the third day, I have learned two VERY important things.

1. Pierogis are not Polish, they are Ukranian and Russian. Damn you "Mrs. T's" telling me all this time that I was enjoying a Polish delicacy!

2. In Poland a triangle on the door indicates a men's bathroom whereas the women's has a circle. I guess it makes sense if you think creatively about it.

It's on!

For anyone that knows me, it is widely understood that I consider today a national holiday. The NCAA basketball tournament starts today for those living underneath a rock (or at least, living in Europe). My beloved Spartans take on Marquette at midnight Wiesbaden time. No one is expecting them to do too much but do NOT underestimate the man on my left, Drew Neitzel. Not to mention the best coach on the planet, Tom Izzo.

I did not let my emotions get the best of me when making my picks though.

My final 4 is Kansas, Georgetown, Florida and Ohio State and I've got Georgetown over Kansas to cut down the nets in early April. Look out for Nevada and George Washington as my dark horses.

GO GREEEN!

Steph and David

Steph and David have been gone a week now and I am JUST getting to putting some pics up. I blame it on Dave Matthews and Heineken but have no one to blame but myself. We spent an unbelievable weekend in Brugge, Belgium and discovered even MORE delicious Belgian brew (Troll, Satan, Jever etc.) and then stopped in Brussels and Cologne on the way home. Dave and Steph hopped on the train to Salzburg, Austria for a few days before getting back here for the Dave Matthews concert in Frankfurt and a BIG Friday night in Wiesbaden. We went to dinner on Friday noght at the Paulaner and had NO IDEA (wink wink) that they were debuting their seasonal beer that night. (Salvator) (I equate it to the first time you can find Oberon in Detroit in the spring) Madness ensued, David pushed through the flu and we ended up drinking "DAS BOOT" at the Pupalch in the city center. Good Times!

Brugge

Madonna and Child - Michelangelo

Brugge

The entrance to the monastery

The Steaming Party Bunny Parade - We could not find someone to tell us what it was for

David learning that the Party Bunnies enjoy throwing confetti

A Belgian Fun Center

The Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium

Kelli and I in the Grand Place

Steph and David in front of the Dom in Cologne

Stephanie and I enjoying our complimentary Salvator

Steph's face displays all Spartan alumni's love for free beer!

I have never seen a man clean out a Schweinaxel (pig knuckle) as great as David did

a boot, a meter and a beer wench

DAS BOOT! DAS BOOT! DAS BOOT! DAS BOOT!

Steph and Kelli showing us how it's done

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds in Cologne

And finally, my last of three shows that I made it to. Once again, I was in the first row and got some great pics and videos. By far, this has been the most amazing concert experience of my life. Enjoy.

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds playing "Bartender" at the Paradiso in Amsterdam

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds in Amsterdam

Yes, that is MY Heineken on the stage

And that is me

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds in Amsterdam