The Rhetorist

I just heard Texas Governor Rick Perry announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination in 2012. My immediate reaction once he opened his mouth, and not expecting anything unusual other than an announcement, was shock and dismay. IT SOUNDED JUST LIKE HEARING GEORGE W. BUSH AGAIN! I cannot think of  [ Read More ]

Well, I am still in Vienna, about to head to the train station. But I don’t know where I am going. My map showed Germany next ( I accidentally — or providentially — changed it last night) and I am set to stay with people in Switzerland, but yesterday Peter  [ Read More ]

A Fourth of July sparkler moment created this week @ Motto. How can I not miss the United States more than on the Fourth of July? But in reality it is Vienna I am missing as I plan to leave this weekend for Germany. Really, the Viennese have been so  [ Read More ]

Yesterday was hot, really hot. And I am now comfortably in the habit of cooling down with this great stuff that comes in these thick glass bottles, what a luxury. Anyway, you see it everywhere, this shot is from the table in front of me where I was cooling down  [ Read More ]

Tüesday was my first conference day, presiding over two sessions at the Technical University here in Vienna. I know some people thought this was all fun and games and it is until somebody gets hurt… just kidding… But I am here for the academics. Met some really interesting people at  [ Read More ]