...Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jigg

At the behest of several known criminals functional lunatics friends, I am triumphantly returning picking up where I left off once again edifying the masses with my rapier wit banal sarcasm dignified observations and erudite commentary.

Having said that thanks to those who have patiently been visiting my blog over the last two months only to be greeted by the same post about my departure from the land of the Bog People. Truth be told a part of me does miss their guttural language, patronizing attitude toward buitenlanders, and of course, stroopwafels (see “My Take on Dutch Food”), but all the same I am moving on nonetheless. OK… I’m being a bit harsh, I bear no ill-will toward the friendly giants (statistically on average the tallest people on earth and getting taller apparently) of the marshlands and I enjoyed my time among them tremendously. Incidentally my theory about this is that they are so tall precisely because they live on top of reclaimed land. It’s a bio-evolutionary compensation for attempting to keep their heads above water for centuries. But that’s neither here nor there, and I’m here, not…you get the picture.

The most common question I’ve been asked since my return is, “is it strange being back?” The answer I usually give is very emotionally complex, deep, and trenchant, but summarized here with “no.” Would I rather be living in Europe? Yes, but I feel no reverse culture shock, as it were. OK maybe a tiny bit when I drove to Fargo-Moorhead for the holidays, but I always feel a bit strange there anyway. Kind of like trying to put on clothes that I’ve outgrown. The reality probably is that I’ve been too eff-ing busy since I’ve back to do much reflecting. Thankfully the stress of relocating has for the most part subsided and now I’m concentrating my energy on finding a job.

It’s been nearly a decade since I’ve lived in Minnesota so the whole cold thing sucks a bit. Everyone tells me how it’s been a really mild winter, but I know that’s really just a coping strategy. Let’s just face the music… it’s freaking cold. That, combined with the fact that I don’t know too many people in these parts yet has made me a bit of a home-body, but at least I can smoke in my apartment.

That’s about it really… and to think you’ve waited all this time for something enjoyable and entertaining to read. That’s life kids, get used to it.

I’m getting to know my way around Minneapolis a bit better these days. I need to find a favorite local watering hole (preferably within stumbling distance of my apartment) and an unpretentious coffee shop (an imaginary place) but these things take time.

In short, life’s good, hope you are all well, and thanks for checking in from time to time. I will attempt to post more regularly now, but please don’t thank me, a check will suffice.