Getting Home-- Step One: Buy Tickets

For the first time since we arrived in Germany (nearly 21 months ago), we're heading back home to Portland for a visit in mid-June. Seeing as that's, oh, a shade over 6 weeks away, we have to kick this into high gear and start taking stuff OFF the wish lists and itinerary. I really don't think we're going to have enough time to cover it all-- but we're sure going to have fun trying.

The first hurdle was getting plane tickets. German national air carrier Lufthansa used to have nonstops from Frankfurt to Portland, but not anymore. 2008 and 2009 also had historically low airfares pretty much anywhere in the world, so it was bound to go up-- time was, a person could spend less than $450 for a stinkin' roundtrip from the west coast to Germany... but not anymore. We waited and waited, but the prices didn't move down at all-- they started trending upwards in fact. I won't reveal just how much we ended up paying, but suffice it to say it would be enough to buy a reliable used car. But tickets in hand, we can start the final planning, and the endless lists of to-do's and to-brings. Should be a hectic run-up, but I'll have a smile on my face all the while.

Regarding the image, if this doesn't ring any bells... well, welcome to the internet, stranger. This video went viral years ago, and it's still a scream. Perfectly encapsulates all that was wrong with early 90's music and crap bands like Color Me Badd. It's a wonderful Christmas song, and please, if you're easily offended, don't click on this.