The Common Tone

Well I was trying to think of something to write in the interim between serious posts and after reading a few blogs I came up with something completely and totally unoriginal. Are you proud or what? It seems like the general theme in the blogosphere at this moment in time is reminiscing about life post-sept. And so I will bore you to death with a new issue of…”What I have learned about life, travelling, me, you, random strangers and anything else I think of”.

- Don’t eat brettljause, unless you have an inclination towards meat from many different animals in varying stages of cooked-ness and in many different forms.

- Austrian food is good, heavy, and almost impossible to NOT EAT.

- Discipline is hard but really rewarding.

- Be weird…if you’re weird, be crazy if you’re crazy. It’s way more enjoyable.

- Walk up to random people having a discussion and demand to know what they are talking about. Sometimes you get involved and sometimes they think you are going to hurt them. But it’s always entertaining.

- Vienna is amazing. And I want to live in Northern Italy.

- Always bring a towel, a toothbrush and when possible a sleeping bag. (sleeping bag can be replaced by a thick long jacket, or you can just wear your sleeping bag:P).

- An mp3 player is a must for travelling/classes and a good book is a huge bonus (thick books are nice since they can double as a pillow).

- Don’t let anything bother you…what’s the point? You can just leave.

- Just leave if you want to leave.

- People are weird, but that’s why I love them (unless they’re too weird..and then I leave).

- Living by myself is fantastic.

- Not living in the middle of nowhere and instead right in the middle of a city is great.

- Beware of vending machines that are the size of a wall and have everything from condoms to cat food.

- Public transit in Europe (well not in italy) is great.

- Painting your face with commando paints and walking around Vienna in army fatigues gets you respect. Until a cop slaps you in the face…

- The best places and people and activities are the ones that weren’t planned.

- Sometimes it’s nice to be able to just be quiet.

- North America is self-centered and generally boring.

- People take themselves too seriously, especially European women.

- Don’t take yourself seriously, why bother?

- Never accept less from anyone, especially yourself, you’ll just be disappointed.

- Don’t try and change yourself, it will happen anyway.

- Don’t try and stay the same, it ain’t gonna happen.

- Jaegermeister is evil..in liquid form

- Home is home is home is home.

- You can make friends all over the world, but none can replace the ones you had.

- Sometimes the best way to handle people (mainly Austrian mothers) is to shut up and get out of the way. Although this can make them think you are depressed (if you live with them)and end up in a confrontation. How do you tell them you think they’re nuts, and get them to leave you alone?

- Travel is a necessity, not an option.