Hmm, thousands are dying in Iraq for bullshit reasons, the Anti-Christ is close to being re-elected and Britney Spears is taking time off to ‘chill’.

Sounds about normal to me.

This past Friday I had a private drum lesson with Angelo Kelly. It cost 50€ but it was for a good cause. It went to support some sort of Childrens Music Program (anything for the children). He is a really good drummer and I learned a couple interesting things pertaining to jazz drumming technique. It’s all about the French style of holding the sticks.

On Saturday the Rhythmus-Total percussion festival was where it was at. It was very interesting but I don’t want to hear another drum for a long time.

Guardian Unlimited | Operation Clark County

Not American? Still wish you could somehow influence the coming presidential election? Got a way with words? Then write a letter to an undecided American voter about how important you feel the outcome will be for you and the rest of the world.

Don’t write to me though. I already voted.

Update: Some American expats in Germany aren’t too happy about this.

The first newspaper I ever read (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) has endorsed Kerry:

Based on his own record, President George W. Bush has not earned re-election. He has mishandled the war on terrorism, shut his eyes to disagreeable facts, left the next generation in hock and presided over a sharp loss in jobs, health insurance and prosperity for millions of Americans.

It is the Show-Me State after all.

St. Louis is my real hometown which is why, although I am not a huge baseball fan, my heart bleeds Cardinal red. So I am naturally chuffed that the Cards are in the NL Championship Series. I had my 7th birthday at a Cards game at Busch Stadium. Whenever I would visit my Dad’s office in downtown St. Louis the highlights were to see the Stan Musial statue in front of the stadium and to look out of the windows of the PW offices into Busch Stadium. I also remember Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith doing backflips. That was so cool.

I went to see the Blues Explosion last night at the Fabrik in Hamburg. I was thoroughly rocked. Jon Spencer has some of the best stage presence I ever seen. It’s like a mixture of James Brown, Elvis Presley and a gospel preacher rolled into one. Good stuff.

For Marines, a Frustrating Fight (washingtonpost.com)

An interesting article about what the soldiers are going through in Iraq. The best line however is at the very end: Asked if he was concerned that the Marines would be punished for speaking out, Autin responded: “We don’t give a crap. What are they going to do, send us to Iraq?”

Döner miracle

What, No Lyndon LaRouche?

I finally got my absentee ballot in the mail today. I will be sending it back tomorrow. Basta! Civil duty fulfilled. Remember, if you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain.

CNN.com – Campaigns worry about last-minute surprise – Oct 2, 2004: “In the presidential campaign’s closing weeks, Democrats are bracing for an ‘October surprise,’ an event so dramatic it could influence the election’s outcome. The capture of Osama bin Laden, for instance.”

Hmmm. I wouldn’t put it past them.

Hate Bush but still aren’t sure about Kerry? Don’t fret. You are not alone. Check out www.JohnKerryIsADoucheBagButImVotingForHimAnyway.com.

That site links to another article that you should read if you are normally a conservative voter: The Conservative Case Against George W. Bush by William Bryk. Do it. Go on, do it.