It's been a long fucking time...

A lot has changed since my last post a million years ago; changes that have prompted me to start this blogging venture over again with hopefully more vigor and tenacity.

I've gained and lost a lot in the last several months:

Gained:
New Zealand
Colorado
Northern Minnesota
Switzerland
Kombucha culture
Sourdough culture
Anxiety
Appreciation for raw foods

Lost:
Weight
My best friend
interest

As is evident, the gained list far outweighs the lost list, but don't be mislead by the disparity in numbers, those lost things are pretty hefty.

Last night, after traveling for what seemed two (2) days, I made it back to Madison. A return that still leaves my a bit vexed, but overall happy to be back.
I spent the last 5 days in Switzerland (Swissland from here on) on account of work. The whole trip made me extremely anxious mostly because of the extreme lack of communication between me and my Swiss counterparts. I had set up an itinerary for my visit weeks in advance only to receive confirmation the first day I arrived in Swissland. Bullshit. Yet all that anxiety melted away once I was able to get outside and start hiking.
I was staying in Luzern at the Radisson Blu. When I travel for work the hotels are always so nice/too nice. Everyone is walking around in their business attire and here I am with my skinny fit black jeans and a $2 vintage sweater. Granted, I don't look like shit, I just don't quite fit in. That brings me to the other elephant in the room. I don't speak a lick of German. Now, granted, most people in Swissland speak English, particularly the hotel staff, but I think this stresses me out the most. This stems primarily from that FACT that when a european comes to the US, we expect them to speak English. Now, contrarily, I go to Swissland and I expect them to speak English to me because I don't speak German. Makes me feel pretty shitty. Then I remember I'm a privelaged American, so fuck it, you'd better accomadate me. Ass.Hole.
It should be noted that if you want to submit to absolute solitude though, being in a foreign country definitely helps. I was in a few coffee shops/bars, revisiting the mighty work Siddartha by Herman Hesse in honor of being in Switzerland, and I couldn't help but feel even more alone. It is incredible for focusing. I get the best of both worlds. I get the surrounding white noise of people talking that I love without the usual distraction of eavesdropping because I can't understand a damn thing. And the coffee. Amazing. It isn't so much that coffee in Europe is better than in the USA, it's more that good coffee is more prevalent. You can go to the petro station and get the same quality coffee/espresso as a coffee shop. As a result, there were few moments in Swissland where I was without coffee. Hey, at least I was regular and jet lag stood no fucking chance.
Back to the good part, hiking. Luzern is situated on a lake shadowed by the mighty Swiss Alps. While I was unable to get to the mountains I was able to circumnavigate the lake and take in all that is Luzern. In addition, I got to walk on the Kapellbrücke:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapellbr%C3%BCcke

Breakfast: Lox, amazing bread and muesli in a buffet arrangement. Seriously.

To be continued...

Before I suspend this post I'd like to share something relevant to one of my losses. Probably at one of my lowest points my father's simply and crassly worded, but sage advice, resonated very strongly with me while I was in Swissland: "Boy, there ain't but one motherfucker that's going to be with you until the end. You." I'm learning to be that motherfucker.

Love,
E.