Reason Number One You Must Come Back to Luzern

Here are two pics of Christine from Geneva... you can see she is developing an unhealthy obsession with Hello Kitty -- help!!! And of course, we stopped by our old friend Mr. P's in Geneva. It was much bigger but just not the same without all the crazy characters in Lucerne.... Hope you had a nice weekend. Let me know how to get a hold of you so we can meet up in Boston..

JOD

Whoa!!

Look at me!! I'm posting!! Jenny showed me how, AGAIN, the other day and apparently I actually understood. To tell you the truth, I figured out exactly what I was doing wrong but I'm totally not going to admit it.

Today is a good day to post since I'm hiking Pilatus tomorrow and who knows how that's going to go. I have yet to attend Blue Balls, I couldn't make it to the KKL the other night because I had scared myself into staying home because I watched too much Prison Break. I lead a sad sad life.

Anyway, I've included some pictures, hope you enjoy them!! I can't stop using my new digital camera. And now that I know what I'm doing I can post a picture a day!!

Get better real soon, we miss you terribly. Check back frequently, I have a feeling I'm going to LOVE this posting thing....

The Day After (the summer party)

Hey there,
Well we took a million pictures, which hopefully Mattias will be uploading soon. It was a very festive evening despite the...wait for it... rain with the "creative Hawaiian" attire leading to everything from Mariano in the most hideous shirt I've ever seen to Louise Elmen in a pink bikini with grass skirt. Our dinner table included Dr. Manse, so many dirty jokes were told - don't worry you have already heard them all. And then Mattias tried to make me dance..."do it for Karoline" he cried (in vain). The evening ended at Roadhouse, as many booze-filled evenings do, where Jenny K wandered around in bare feet and we drank that fateful "just one more" beer...
Stay tuned for more coverage of the night that was...

Can you feel the excitement?

Hi KP! You really are a tough cookie to go into the office. How's the Boston office looking? Now more than ever, a nap room would be a great idea. Maybe you could sneak down to the 5th floor. I'm sure the students wouldn't mind!

Well, the lake is lined with tents that will soon be crowded by eager Swiss people looking for a beer while listening to music at the Blue Balls Festival. Does anyone know the history of this festival's name? I'm sure there's a story there. Or maybe it's just to attract attention. Think the musicians are embarrassed by the name? Anyway, I'm sure the music will be ok, but nothing special. Nothing like Fasnacht. You better be back in time for that. :)

Miss you. Hopefully I'll have some stories from Geneva.

Hope the Sox get things back in order! Cheer them on for me. Talk to you soon. -cj

Hi

Hi Guys,

I went into the office for the end of the day yesterday. It was so nice to see people! I only worked from noon- 530, but was hitting a wall by 4. I was hoping that I would be ok, but ugh...this fatigue thing sucks. anyway, i'm working from home today and will go in to the office for only the morning tomorrow. I saw Marco yesterday and it was great to see a familiar face from the Luzern office - even if he is new.

It's early and that's all i got for now...It's raining today. Hope that means you're having nice weather. :)

later,
k

tragedy strikes at Fenway, but ends on a good note

Ok, not quite what i had in mind for my first trip to Fenway in over year.

we thought it would be nice to go for a walk saturday morning. this was our first mistake. we should have kept it down to an hour walk, but it was a two hour walk (1030-1230) and then i had to come home shower and nap before 2P. i couldn't really sleep, but i hoped that pretending was enough rest to keep me going. that was my second mistake. i skipped lunch as i figured free food was waiting for me at the park. as tired as i was from the morning jaunt i was hit by a bolt of energy outside fenway and i plowed through the crowd like i was late for the game. it was only 315P. the weather was perfect. i pounded a hot dog, a hamburger, a lemon popsicle thing, grabbed two waters and ran out to the see the field. it was like sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows exploded in my little heart and i was so happy. there were so many people there already for this special pre game gig, but I was more interested in trying to see the who's who on the field. i wanted to keep moving as close as i could toward the dugout, but sister was annoyed because i wouldn't stay put....oh what i wouldn't have done to push all those little kids out of my way so i could have a spot along the wall...but i kept my cool. i grabbed my camera from sister, still carrying two full bottles of water and took off to explore on my own. Third mistake. happy happy happy. here a picture there a picture everywhere a picture picture. then i decide to go find sister carrying everything i had with me just 2o mins ago. la la la what a glorious day....until uh shit, sister! where's my camera! fudge fudge fudge (but the real f-bomb) panic panic panic sadness sadness sadness anger anger anger. and just like that my day took a nosedive.

i walked around feeling bad ,sad, and mad at myself . it was 7P and time for our national anthem. This is where things got better and i'm not being sarchastic... a woman named Theresa who survived something crazy like four years of throat cancer, chemo, surgery, everything was about to take on the national anthem in front of 35,000 people....her voice started like a whisper, but she had a big smile on her face and she just belted out the national anthem as best as she could and it sounded like she was gasping for air at times, but she did it! and even at the high note at the end she did it. and i was like wow. and everyone gave her a standing ovation as if Papi hit moon - it was crazy. at that moment i felt stupid for feeling bad about a small piece of tin and said oh well, so what i lost a camera. no big deal.

it was a kickass game - Papi solo homered at his first at bat! then more homers by JV and Hinkse (pleasant surprise) Sox go on to win 9-4 and even though i had to leave at the 5th inning (sorry guys i tried, but i just couldn't keep up), it was a good ending. And i still hope that whoever found my camera will return it, but even if i don't get it back then oh well.

have fun at the game!

Hi KP, so happy that you get to go to fenway. I'm sure the "sweet karoline" sing-a-long will cheer you up! I sure hope they win. Too bad we cannot watch the game over here. I've been back in Luzern now for a week after my vacation at home. I spent 5 days in Connecticut. And for the record for all of you CT bashers, there are plenty of wonderful things in CT. But yes, the traffic and Yankees fans should be dealt with. :) My friend's wedding was great. The weather was perfect. I'll try to add some pictures to the blog. mAfter the wedding weekend, I went to PA to spend time with my parents and to visit my grandparents. I wouldn't say it was the most restful vacation, but it was great seeing everyone.

I've been back in Luzern for a week now. You know what that means, a few nights at the Pick of course! I had really missed it while I was gone!!! Bet you miss it too. I cannot wait until you're back here so we can have a pint together. :)

Cannot wait to hear about your trip to Fenway. Talk to you soon/Christine

ow quit it. ow quit it. ow quit it!

Hi guys,

thanks for all the pictures! YAY!

i was trying to do some work today and i got kicked out of my connection - try try again but nothing so i thought i should check on the old blog.

something is poking me in the neck right now and pissing me off. ow quit it is a reference to homer simpson for those of you who don't know what i'm talking about. anyway, our sort of heat wave is about over and looks like blue skies for saturday. This saturday is the big game! My first trip to Fenway in a super long time. These are those tickets that sister got for donating to the Jimmy Fund. We get to go at 3P and watch batting practice and the prep work. AND free dogs, burgers, soft serve, and drinks (booze for sale). i can't wait! i will be sure to take a good nap before show time...

i told my mom about it and she was like 'Dios Mio! and what time does this game end?! you need to rest you know!' i told her it ends at 9P to make her feel better, but between us let's hope we don't go into extra innings...but don't worry i won't leave early. i might be passed out with my eye lids taped open, but i will be there.

Believe you me there will be photos of the team this weekend.

later all,

k

You asked for pictures...

Hi Karoline!!!

I have to admit I love reading your blogs. I read them in your voice its weird - its like our old daily banter!!! A couple of posts back you asked for pics.... and luckily I just received some picks from Carolyn for my past quick Boston trip!

First of all I drove up and it took me forever - the most horrible ride ever - way too much traffic in Connecticut. If they just remove that state the drive wouldn't be too bad... I went up for a baby shower and we decieded to stop by one of our old Stomping grounds The Black Rose (pic 1)

Right out front of the Black Rose was that round bike thing(pic 2) - Carolyn and I were so excited because we hadn't seen one of those since our trip to AMS in 2002 - plus the people had no idea how to ride it so it was comical! Pic # 3 - me with a Red Sox Bud light and slightly drunker... but they do have them with the Phillies logo as well. My friend Karyn walked in late, ordered a beer, then saw my beer with the red sox logo and totally changed her order so she could have a beer with the Red Sox logo.... Pic #4 is funny because look in the background and you'll see a girl giving us the finger. The picture didn't turn out that great but I may frame it because I love the use of the middle finger.

Picture # 5 - is just me - I thought you might want to have a cute pic of me - but seriously I've been going to weight watchers and have lost 18 pounds!!!! This was a couple of weeks ago so I was probably only at 15, just wanted to lose some poundage for the wedding day and all...

Oh here's another scoop about me, I got a promotion at work and am now an accounting manager - I have my own office and manage a staff of 11 staff accountants!!! I just started three days ago - its a bit crazy. I feel like CM!!!

Okay I've written enough, I kind of like this I could go on forever but I don't want to bore everyone I don't know - I do know Jenny though hi Jenny!!!!

Seriously I'll stop now

Miss love foreves!

Lauren

Reporting from da place where it's all happenin'!

Hey K! Since you are probably wondering what you have been missing out on I figured I'd give you an update:

So Tiziano and Francesca finally made it official by carving their names into our beloved bridge. According to recent rumor Francesca has been checking out Magdalena lately, so that story might turn into a real mess soon. Not only is Tiziano frustrated from suffering from a chronically bad breath since childhood (sour milk incident), but he also likes to play with fire and accidentally(?) burned down the bridge back in 1993 when his ex girlfriend left him for a violin playing trucker from Bulgaria.


Miss Switzerland visited Luzern over the weekend and the crowds went wild. You can't see Lara in this picture, but you know how excited she gets when celebrities come to town. She was literally fighting off people left and right in order to get an autograph. All that fighting left her badly bruised so she had to take a few days off work in the beginning of the week in order to recover. Today when she got in the first thing she said was "It was totally worth it dude!".

I don't know if you can tell from the t-shirt in this tiny photo, but the guy standing on the left is a Pink Floyd fanatic and tomorrow it is 18 years since the group last performed in Switzerland (Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne, 12th July 1989). He is celebrating this very special anniversary by hanging around the lake and (not very discretely) filming girls coming out of the water.

Yeah I'm sure you haven't missed it - it's been ALL over the news since they announced the new seven wonders of the world. In short, because the Swiss are so filthy rich and temporarily ran out weed and good ideas on how to spend their money they decided to buy "Christ the Redeemer" and fly him in from Rio de Janeiro. Sadly since all the good spots are already taken here in Luzern by The Lion Monument and Emmen Centre they were forced to place him outside the city next to the lake where only the Indian tourists that go on one of those Charles Bucher boats can see him.

Last but not least I just wanted to show you what our view looks like since you left. If you look really hard (or at least if I send you the full sized version) you can acually see the raindrops falling from the heavy sky. It's cold too, but on a more positive note we have managed to avoid bloodshed over the control of the AC-remotes.

Oh and Sweden was good by the way. I spent about 1,5 week in a car visiting friends and family. Still raining though..

THANKS FOR THE PICS!

wow you guys, your postings really cheered me up! I read them like two times each and will probably read them again! Magnus, you look like a regular at Fenway! - bravo!

and good pics from the anniversary party! thanks Jenny!

so i was thinking that i would go into the office this week, but what the hell was i thinking....i hate that i think i'm gonna be up for something that just doesn't happen. No i won't be in the office this week so please don't get excited. ...working on and off from my sister's apt. i'm still pretty uncomfortable all around my neck and shoulder and don't always sleep well - like last night. and i get pretty tired around noonish and can hardly keep my eyes open so i sleep for about an hour and a half - 2hrs. Chronic fatigue is a potential side effect from my new thyroid replacement and i wouldn't say that i'm tired all day, but there are times when i'm just wiped out. i don't know it's weird. and then there are the headaches attached with picking my head up too quickly or stepping off a curb or trying to walk too fast. things come and go and some days are good days when i feel, aside from the 'regular pains', pretty awake and some days are just not good and i'm really tired. eh, whatever just going with the flow.

nonetheless it's nice to be sort of coming out of retirement. and your pictures will come in handy when i need a boost. so thanks again, stop working schmerking, and keep em coming!

have a good night!

k

i'm not gonna set goals for myself right now and take it week by week.

Breaking News: IT RAINS IN LUZERN. - Hi KP, just checking in to say hi from a wet town in the heart of Switzerland (yes, you know which one I'm talking about). I heard from el maestro Kingpin (aka your boss) that you might be coming in to the BOS office for work this week and I have to say that I am full of admiration. Go KP! As rain seems to be the central theme in this posting I can tell you that I have had several fantastic experiences of wetness over the past two weeks - one including a train ride from St Gallen (only 2hrs) in B couch without wearing anything on my upper body (yes, the train staff did have heart attacks) as a direct consequence of standing at the openair festival listening to snow patrol (waited for five hrs and it started raining 2 minutes before they came on) and another one involving a round of golf yesterday. Wet to the bone I believe is the only way to describe it! We all miss you here in Luzern so don't forget to come back soon - and bring some of that sunshine with you! /Managus

Here are some pictures....

OK, Karoline, here are some pictures for you. We have one of our trip to Fenway back in Boston, one of me and Angelica at Roadhouse this past Saturday, and then one of Anita, Christine and I celebrating our one year "Swissiversary" also from Saturday (as you can see, the night went on for a while) - Vicki the bartender at Pickwicks gave us balloons and streamers along with a free shot!

Hope this tides you over until we can get a few more photos up.

In another surprising news...it's STILL raining. I am hoping we get some better weather for my vacation next week so I don't have to spend it all watching DVDs. I have no big plans for the week off, but it will be hard to get motivated to do anything if it keeps raining like this. Ok, more soon but I have to do some work for a bit...//JOD

will someone pls send me a picture?

...of anything? your team rooms? your messy desks? what you're eating for lunch? anything?



please? (sigh) this one is from kickoff last year. let me know if anyone's interested in seeing my badass scar...i've been documenting it's evolution. i know not everyone has the stomach for it, but i'm putting it out there...don't be shy.

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this week from western mass

Guys,

It's been been sunny, rainy, and stormy much like Luzern but humid. Here are a few shots of what i've been upto lately. enjoy.

thanks,

k

P.S brennan can you pls text me your digits again? i did get your text last week thank you! i wanted to call you up...work and or home or cell would be great.

update

Hi guys,

i got my sutures taken off yesterday and my pathology report came back with really good news and then some. My Dr. was really happy and announced that of the 32 lymph nodes removed all came back negative. this means no need to reopen and go into my right side! And interestingly enough they also found a second lesion on my thyroid which was papillary carcinoma a.k.a regular thyroid cancer - it turns out that i had both regular and medullary thyroid cancers (a.k.a MTC)at the same time. My scar looks pretty bad ass right now and there's still a lot of swelling, but this will get better in time. And the numbness and stinging could take months or even up to a year to go away...ugh. Sister joined an MTC chat room and people are describing very different post op stories - but most of them are well over two- months of headaches, numbness, chronic fatigue and upto a year of no or little feeling of the shoulder area...it's still so recent that i don't know if how long this will last for me, but today i had a killer headache and the "snapping rubberbands on my sunburn" sensations on my left shoulder were so uncomfortable. the next step from here is to slowly work on stretching/exercising my shoulder and following up with my endocronologist a couple more times over the next month. I'm not giving up on the idea of a 'speedy' recovery, but i guess i'll need to take it day by day. hope tomorrow will be better. Heard that the summer party is coming up on the 23rd....are you all going?