Good morning Lounge

[MissHoneychurch]

How are you today?

It is Friday!! The week is over :woohoo:

My video recorder died on me. Yes I still had one of those ancient things. Now I bought me a DVD/HDD recorder. I am still trying to figure out everything. The video recorder sure was easier to program.

Sunday we are going to vote our new government. I am sure Angela Merkel will win again. I know also that I won't vote for her :)

Picture of the Day (the SPD candidate for chancellor Frank-Walter Steinmeier at a rally in Frankfurt last Friday)

[Bertha Venation]

1. Good morning, Miss Honey

Don't ask what I'm doing up at this hour, but I'm glad to be in on your morning thread!

:hi:

[MissHoneychurch]

2. Good morning Bertha

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

Nice to see you in my thread :hug:

How are the kitties? Did they wake you up?

[Bertha Venation]

3. No, no kitties . . .

. . . I just haven't slept well since Mrs. V. left for Tennessee on Sunday. She's back on the 4th.

Thank you for the :hug: and :loveya: - back atcha, sweetheart.

[MissHoneychurch]

4. Awww

that is sweet that you can't sleep while your love is away. How will you survive the time till she is back?

[Bertha Venation]

7. I just go on day to day, I guess.

Baseball helps. Another playoff game tonight. The cats keep me company - they know I'm blue, I swear they do. My sisters are in touch. I have choir rehearsal and my music to learn.

I get through the days. It ain't easy, but what's the alternative?

:wan smile:

[MissHoneychurch]

8. Yes, kitties know

they sense when you are sad. :hug:

Sounds like you will be busy getting through the days. The 4th will be here faster than you expect.

[Bertha Venation]

58. I hope so. I hate missing her.

:(

[MissHoneychurch]

62. ...

:hug:

[cwydro]

5. Good morning Miss Honeychurch.

:hi: :loveya: :pals:

I am with Bertha in that I have no idea why I am up at this hour.

Funny thing, I just keep having this same early morning dream...

Isn't Merkel the one who freaked out when Bush started giving her a massage? I like her just for that, lol.

[MissHoneychurch]

6. Good morning cwydro

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

Yes, Merkel is the one. But I still don't like her or the party she is in. And I don't like the politic. So there.

[cwydro]

11. Is she the equivalent of a neocon here?

A conservative?

[MissHoneychurch]

12. A moderate conservative

wouldn't say a neocon.

[auntAgonist]

9. goodmorning MissHC!

I'm running late this morning, still have to dry my hair. This working 10 hrs a day is getting old. I'm on ovetime till next Wednesday. I can do it!

I hope you have a great day!

:hug:

aA
kesha

[MissHoneychurch]

10. Good morning auntAgonist

:hi: :loveya: :hug:

I hope you can take some time off after next Wednesday :hug:

I wish you a fast passing work day and a wonderful weekend :loveya:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

13. Good Morning Miss Honeychurch! TGIF!

:hi: :hug: :loveya: :pals:

I have an idea. Tell Angela that Bush will be over to give her a victory massage.

She might withdraw from the election before they're done counting votes. :rofl:

[MissHoneychurch]

14. Good morning SCE

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

Now there is an idea ... but what do we do with * afterwards? Mhhmmm .... Den Haag isn't too far away :evilgrin:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

15. Tell him they're giving him a windmill.

But he has to go there and pick his out.

It's just crazy enough to work I tells ya. ;)

[MissHoneychurch]

16. Oh I believe ya

maybe he can bring the dark side along with him?

[SalmonChantedEvening]

17. Hmm

He's not as gullible. Perhaps if we tell him he's going on a quail hunt. And he can use a bazooka. :)

[MissHoneychurch]

18. Maybe we can tell him

he is going for a surprise vist and not telling him were he will go ....

[SalmonChantedEvening]

19. I think he's too clever, unlike bunnypants.

Only blood or money would get him on that plane.


Maybe a bag of blood-stained 100 dollar bills.

[Callalily]

20. Good morning MissH!

I too am glad it's Friday. It's been a fast week, but one filled with loads of work projects.

Will go rowing both Saturday and Sunday morning so I'm looking forward to that. Also "Octoberfest" is tomorrow. They close off the whole downtown to traffic and the streets are lined with food vendors. Also several bands perform throughout the day and evening.

:hi: :loveya: :hug:

[MissHoneychurch]

21. Good morning Callalily

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

Yes, it's been a busy week. And mine isn't done yet. I work tonight and tomorrow at my second job. Not really in the mood but I need the money.

It is supposed to be nice weather on the weekend. I might go for a walk Sunday after I voted.

[Callalily]

22. Oh gawd!

I remember the days when I worked a second job. To be perfectly honest, I don't know how I did it. It was in retail, and the store I worked is a nice place, I stills shop there, and the people were very nice. But the hours . . . yikes! Specially during the holiday season. Sometimes I'd work my 8-1/2 hours at my regular job, change and head out to the store for another six. So I truly know what you're going through. The weekends go even faster when you have to work then too.

A nice walk on Sunday sounds like a good idea. Fresh air on a lovely day is very rewarding and good for the soul.

[MissHoneychurch]

25. Since the store closes at 10pm

I only have to work 4 more hours today. TOmorrow I work 8 hours. There is a plus to closing hours :)

If the weather turns out that nice I know I will go for a walk. And get some fresh air.

Will you go to the Octoberfest?

[blueraven95]

23. Good Afternoon, MissH!

Since I know next to nothing about German politics, could you tell me what SPD stands for? (I figure it is the liberal party :))

Last night I bought a whole bunch of embroidery supplies for a gigantic project I'm going to start soon. I bought a floor stand and new frames to hold the work in progress, and now I really want to play with my new toys! It's got to wait until after I've done the reading for next week's class and finished the calendar. :D


I've got good news for you, btw.

:hug:

[MissHoneychurch]

24. Good morning blueraven

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

SPD = Social Democratic Party http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Democratic_Party_of_Germany
CDU = Christian Democratic Party http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Union_%28Germany%29

Those are the two big parties in Germany.
Then we have the

FDP = Free Democratic Party http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freie_Demokratische_Partei
Die Grünen = The Greens http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Green_Party
Die Linke = Party of Democratic Socialism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_Democratic_Socialism_%28Germany%29

At the moment CDU (with Angela Merkel as Chancellor) and the SPD are the government, the so-called Big Coalition. On Sunday CDU and FDP are trying to get together more than 50% so they can build a coalition. I don't want that. With such a coalition the social aspects would be down the toilets. The FDP is a party for businesses.
Nobody wants to build a coalition with Die Linke, since they are the follow-up party of the SED (THE party in the former GDR http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_Unity_Party_of_Germany)
We already had a government with a coalition of SPD and Die Grünen. That won't happen this year though, they don't have enough votes together.
So it might be again a big coalition.

Enough of the politics ...

What is your big project? Is it a gift for Christmas?

Regarding the news :woohoo: :bounce: When will you let us all know?

[blueraven95]

26. your politics sound more complicated then ours

:D


The project is actually for me (I almost never make anything for myself, but this is so big and going to need so much work that there is no way I'm giving it away). It's a cross-stitch version of a sorta famous photograph and I'm doing it because I was reading about an artist who did something similar with a photograph of a school shooting. I couldn't imagine wanting to live with that image for as long as it would take to embroider it, and I thought that by choosing that particular image she was making that particular school shooting a black and white issue rather than extremely complicated (which it was). I'm not saying it very well, but basically I thought she had made a particularly lazy and ugly piece of art with very little thought (or creative talent) behind it.

I am taking one of the pictures from the peace movement in the 60's, where protesters are putting flowers into soldiers' guns. It's a black and white photo, but I've colorized parts of it. It'll be large for embroidery, about 18"x28" (45.72x71.12 centimeters), and I'll frame it and hang it somewhere. :-)


I should let everyone know about the calendar this weekend, as long as I don't get lazy.

[MissHoneychurch]

28. It isn't really complicated

we all know which party stands where. :)

That sounds like quite some work. :wow: Will you have time to read Terry Pratchett once you started?

Can't wait to see which month I will be and what the other pictures are. Thanks for letting me know in advance :hug:

[blueraven95]

30. I always have time for Pratchett

:D


You know, I always think that the US could use more political parties...there would be a lot more viewpoints represented, which would be a good thing.


I can't wait to figure out what picture goes with which month. It's always fun for me.

[MissHoneychurch]

32. It is interesting here

The Greens only became a respected party end of the 80s. Before that they were seen as flower-power party. When they were part of the government they brought a lot on the way regarding consumer trust. It was a good thing.

The Lefties ... it is difficult with them. They still have communists in their party. And I won't vote for that. They are more about talk than action. The SPD lost a lot of people to the Lefties since the SPD moved more center.

It is all moving here in Germany. Who knows what will come next. Neo Nazis keep trying but so far they haven't made it over the 5% hurdle. Thank goodness. I will do my best to keep it that way.

I think too that the U.S. could use more political parties. Maybe one day it will be that way.


How do you chose what picture goes with which month?

[blueraven95]

34. It does sound interesting

I'm going to have to read more about it.


I'm not really sure how I choose each month. Really, I just go with what feels right and what seems to go with the mood of each month. I think I did okay with the current calendar, but I really have no idea what other people think.

[MissHoneychurch]

37. It sure isn't the worst system

in the world :)


I like how you did the last two calendars. Even though I had to wait till September to see my pic this year. :D

[blueraven95]

44. but your pic fit September so well :-)

I am currently deciding what I'm going to put on the cover this year. I think I know, but I'm not positive yet.

[MissHoneychurch]

45. It does fit September

at least I didn't have to wait till Decemer ;)

However you decide it will be another wonderful calendar and again a nice gift for Christmas. My mom is getting one again and my grandma. And one will be hanging in my office again.

[blueraven95]

46. I do the same thing - give them as gifts :-)

and I love having one at my desk at work.

I think that going with the animal theme this year was great. There are so many interesting images, and it won't look like the previous calendars. I think changing it up once in a while is good.


I'm thinking about suggesting architecture for next year. :)

[MissHoneychurch]

48. I love the animal theme

and architecture next year ... I'm for it ... you know I love to take pictures of architecture :D And you won't have the cats/dogs problem ;)

[blueraven95]

51. I know!

Losing the cat/dog rivalry will be fantastic. :D

I think I may limit the number of submissions more next year - maybe only 5 or so. So many photos means I'm taking a lot of time to get the polls ready, and I'm not going to have that kind of time next year. I'm thinking about changing the voting method a little too. There were so many polls in that first round that I think people got tired. I'm not sure yet, just trying to think of ways to make it easier and more streamlined. :shrug:

[MissHoneychurch]

53. It was a lot of voting

but it was interesting to see what everyone entered.

And I am glad you do the private vote so that no one sees how many voted for the picture.

[blueraven95]

54. me too -

it actually changes what wins. And the voting is much, much closer.

[MissHoneychurch]

57. Maybe

we need to do our DU contests the same way.

[blueraven95]

63. I think so

but it's a lot more difficult to take the monthly contests off DU.

Truthfully, I've gotten a few less than pleasant PMs about taking the polling to a different site. :shrug: I guess you can't please everyone.

[MissHoneychurch]

64. No you can't

and you are doing a tremendous job with the calendar. Last year it was the cats/dogs, this year it is the poll, next year it will be something else. There are always people who are upset about some stupid thing :hug:

[blueraven95]

71. yep

thanks for the hug :hug: I try and look at it that way, but sometimes it's hard.

I thought it was particularly funny, since I used the same polling system last year.

[MissHoneychurch]

72. Always

:hug:

Almost time to leave work and go to my second job x( Not really in the mood. Oh well. At least I can sleep in tomorrow.

I wish you a wonderful weekend and have fun at the Elvis class!!

:loveya:

[blueraven95]

73. have a great weekend!

hopefully work tonight won't be too bad :hug:

[Captain Hilts]

27. Good morning, Miss Honeychurch. I read it's an election completely devoid of anything interesting.

What a nice change of pace.

[MissHoneychurch]

29. Good morning Captain Hilts

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

Call it what it is ... boring. There was no spice whatsoever in the election. Even the TV duell of Merkel and Steinmeier was boring. I think it is because we all know that Merkel will win again. And the people are tired of the politics, nothing is going to change for them anyway, so why vote. Which is a bad thing actually. Let's see how many people will vote on Sunday. I predict something around 60%.

[Blue_Tires]

31. Happy Friday...

I see Ein. Frankfurt is off to a good start...(what does the "eintracht" mean?)

[MissHoneychurch]

36. Good morning Blue_Tires

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

And happy Friday too!!!

Eintracht means Unity.
Honestly, I haven't been following the Bundesliga. :hide:

[Brewman_Jax]

33. G'day, MissH!

:hi: :hug:

All games cancelled, but they didn't update the website, so I wasted a trip. :( I got back in time to see live bands at my nearby restaurant-lounge. The band was good, they played classic rock. A good time was has by all. :D

[MissHoneychurch]

38. Good morning Brewman

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

Aw man, that sucks. :hug: But at least you found a nice way to chill out in the evening :D Classic rock is nice.

Any plans for the weekend?

[Brewman_Jax]

50. Never a dull moment

I'll run the fall 10K race first thing Saturday morning, help a friend move furniture, visit the cat at my parents' house--and my mom since I'm there :P, and get some household chores done. That's my weekend, how about yours?

[MissHoneychurch]

52. Remember to relax some

in between and get energy for next week :hug:

I will sleep in tomorrow, work from 3pm till 11pm.
Sleep in on Sunday again, going to vote and if the weather stays that nice go for a walk.
And I need to do the laundry and some household chores as well.

[Brewman_Jax]

55. Yes

go vote! :woohoo:

Hopefully the weather will stay clear, though more rain is forcast for Saturday. We don't need anymore rain. :( I'll get some rest, probably later today.

[MissHoneychurch]

56. You better rest tonight

if you want to run 10k tomorrow morning!!! That is a demand :D

[Brewman_Jax]

59. Will do

:patriot:

[jeff30997]

35. Good morning MissHoneychurch !

Just woke up and still half asleep.

Nice picture you evil socialist Librarian ! :)
The German Political system seems similar than the Canadian one.The Prime
Minister here is a Conservative W style but he doesn'thave the majority
so he can't pass crazy laws at will like Chimpy and Cheney did.The closest thing
we have here to a socialist party is the NDP but they don't weigh much in the
balance of power.I hope you"ll have a great weekend.:loveya: :hug:

[MissHoneychurch]

39. Good morning Jeff

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

I'd say I fit right in here :D

At least Merkel isn't W style, I'd say she is more liberal. What I don't like about her is that she is sitting out everything, nothing is really moving at the moment. And that I want changed. I like Steinmeier. He seems calm but able to get things done.

[bigwillq]

40. Good morning!

:hi:

[MissHoneychurch]

41. Good morning bigwillq

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

How are you doing? Haven't seen you all week!!

[bigwillq]

42. I am well.

Just busy! :hi: Have a good weekend! :hi:

[MissHoneychurch]

43. That is good to hear

:hug:

I wish you a great weekend too!!! :hi:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

47. Hello MissHc

TGIF :bounce: :bounce:

is Frank-Walter Steinmeier the guy you will vote? :shrug:

[MissHoneychurch]

49. Good morning Tuesday

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

YES!! TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I will vote for him.

[Vidar]

60. Good morning MissHoneychurch.

[MissHoneychurch]

61. Good morning Vidar

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

How are you doing? Do you have any plans for the weekend?

[jakefrep]

65. Good Morning!

I'm looking forward to hearing more about the German elections this weekend.

:hi:

[MissHoneychurch]

66. Good morning jakefrep

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

Noon EST the first results will come in. Maybe there will be some spice in it in the end.

[GOPisEvil]

67. Good morning!

:hi:

So this is what DU looks like during the morning. I had forgotten. :P

[MissHoneychurch]

68. Good morning GOPisEvil

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

Morning??? It is 4.30pm here in Frankfurt :P

How are you doing?

[GOPisEvil]

69. I have the day off, so it's all good!

Brunch and early dinner with a good friend today. :9

:hug::loveya:

[MissHoneychurch]

70. Sounds like a perfect day

good friends and good food :D

:loveya: