Graz

I think every game.. for the past 5 games.. has been 'the biggest game of our year' for us... mostly because if we lose then we're out of the playoffs and they don't pay us our last paycheck... 'it'll cost you more for a lawyer anyways, guys, and they know this'... and so in the most amazing way we won the thing.. and this meant that our coach was in a good mood.. and so he gave us 3 days off.. which is a lot, but still so little, since we don't have a game until next, next Thursday because of National Team Break...

My mind was set on going south.. South... was Milan... a spa... fashion models... and culture..

But somehow we ended up going north.. North... to Graz... cold... and... hockey?... (only while watching the game did I realize that hockey in the middle of hockey is just a whole lot of overkill)

WHY?

But, ya, Graz.. to see a former class-mate.. see Austria.. and also to see if I could ever compete at that level.. in case some miracle happens and I sign..

WHERE??

I guess a few years ago Graz was a 'Cultural Center' of Europe and so they built 3 buildings to commemorate it all.. A museum, a coffee shop, and a Jewish Temple... The museum and the coffee shop were both closed and the Temple was on the other side of the city... and no way was I driving through the city because the roads were laid out like a SpiderWeb on Crack - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc

WHAT?

(This next part works better if you can imagine the voice of the guy from Vlogbrothers saying it all - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7GvstxiH-M)

We paid 95 Euros for a hair cut.. 'This shampoo makes my hair feel good'... watched Bourne Ultimatum.. debated over whether or not Michaelangelo made the 'Thinking Man' or if both artists merely used the same inspired torso that is shown in the Vatican... 'No.. no.. you already owe me an elephant and a lion... I'll bet you a Tiger that it's the same guy'... Got put in my place for thinking the radio religion was the Phillipines when it was actually Papua New Guineau (watch yourself around other Harvard students)... USED actual German since no one could speak any English... 'Ich Mochte ein...'... Had McDonalds... went to a decent and classy Hooters where the food was amazing and the waitresses sported baggy shirts and jeans... Almost died from Smoke still being allowed in the bar... watched Graz win in a Shootout... Saw real refs that know the meaning of Offside... or... I guess... the meaning of onside... And then made up some long story in my head to stay awake the long drive home with no Ipod, radio, or coherent passenger... IF I ever own a yacht and sail the Mediterranean then I'll start believing in 'The Secret'...