Comments on: Alexa Abroad! Part Zwei Point Funf.

By: Twwly

Twwly — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:49:26 +0000

I understand the desire to see more than 1/3 of a goat per day. That urge prompted me to buy a small farm and small goats to match. Their ridiculousness never lets me down.

By: mellie`

mellie` — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:37:28 +0000

Here’s my only German Phrase from 9th grade:
Gertrude nimmt eine praline. Sie wird dick und fett. Well, that’s how I remember it anyway. Loved the picture of the goats. My current dream is to retire from my job and raise pygmy goats. Looking forward to the next installment….

By: Bigpreg

Bigpreg — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:24:57 +0000

It’s getting harder and harder to force your Christian name into the syllabic structure of “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego.” Please ease my suffering and give us a new post.

By: Simone

Simone — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:16:46 +0000

I have read your blog since the birth of Simone. I was born 2/8/74. CREEPY, I know. I am “dealing” with infertility because my husband had Testicular Cancer. I just want to spread some creepiness in the pursuit of expressing my appreciation for how well you write. I feel sad and lonely sometimes but I relate to you in your voice as an author. I think you are very talented and can only offer my apology for not being an editor from a major publishing house. I may never comment again and if i do I hope I’ve not been drinking as much as tonight. I guess I just want you to know how much I admire you. Your own creepster, Simone…..the less adorable one

By: kdma8

kdma8 — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:29:51 +0000

I wanted to tell you that I think you are a brilliant and very funny writer. I thought your comments about infertility and how it takes over one’s life were especially poignant and apt. Thanks for the travel log too–very entertaining. Thanks.

By: Kate(BeeInTheBonnet)

Kate(BeeInTheBonnet) — Sat, 30 May 2009 21:50:55 +0000

Ich habe zwei kartoffeln in meine tasche.

That is the first sentence I learned in German. I leave Monday to spend a month traveling around Germany (The Grafschaft Benthiem, Berlin, Lübeck, Köln, and Amsterdam, which I realize is not in Germany, but as it is the closest airport to the Grafschaft, it will be a stop as well), and somehow, I don’t think that will be enough to get by.

Of course, I have also learned, “Helpf mich. Ich habe meine mann ferlossen”, which is not “Help me, I’ve lost my husband,” as I was originally taught, but rather, “Help me, I’ve LEFT my husband.” Sticky difference, that one. False cognates and all (ferlossen vs ferlohren – which would you think means lost?). Anyhow, I have also learned how to order a bottle of wine (or a meat of wine- again, the words are so similar- flasch vs fleishe or something like that…).

Oh, the German language. Die sigh (der sigh? das sigh?). Someday, I’ll learn.

Your “Alexa Abroad” posts have been whetting my appetite nicely- I have never been to mainland Europe before, so I’m hardly containing my excitement at this point. Woohoo! Two more days ’til I’m overseas!

By: Anne

Anne — Sat, 30 May 2009 01:01:38 +0000

Hi–My friend Jennifer Bostwick posted your potato council piece on her Facebook page. I don’t know whether you and she are friends, but I loved it! Maybe you’re just a really popular blogger, as all these commentators would suggest. And now I’ve read several of your entries and I love them too. Down with Prop 8! Anyway, I wanted to let you know that at least with a Mac, all you have to do to make an umlaut, is option>u>then type u. the umlaut will come first and then the u will come under it. Same is true for an accent over the e (an accentegue, or however you may spell that.) option>e>then e.

Best,

Anne

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:28:18 +0000

Great post!

Embarrassing story… When I was growing up my mother told me never to say the word “fart”. She said that “funf” was the polite version of the word and for YEARS I always referred to the passing of gas as a “funf”. I was in my early twenties (yes, twenties) before my now-husband finally informed me that my mother had conned me. Sadly, I had actually studied German for four years and really should have known better.

By: Flicka

Flicka — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:03:02 +0000

I, for one, am not at all surprised by the presence of a Potato Council. Considering my family’s passion for the potato (though we are not Swiss we do appreciate that milky white tuber) I have to say that my only surprise is that America DOESN’T have a Potato Council. In fact, I think President Obama should get right on that. Imagine how much better the American Dream could become! We could be the American Dreamiest!

Fondue would never be the same, that’s for sure.

By: Marcie

Marcie — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:15:22 +0000

I love hearing about your trip! It really is an awesome place. Those goats and the chickens are just darling, the scenery is gorgeous. And wouldn’t it be GREAT if the most pressing issue for ANY country on this planet were the decision of which potato to use for which application? *SIGH*