After a very warm November, winter has finally arrived a couple of days ago. Temperatures dropping to well below zero (up to -15 degrees) and around 20cm of snow, with now blue skies, make up a pretty sight. The sight stops being pretty one you look at the long-johns you’re wearing to protect you from the freezing temperatures. (Taking the wind into consideration, it’s probably -20 degrees or so).

Well, we’re not complaining. It’s actually nice to have winter again. Unfortunately it seems as if it will all be gone again next week, with temps rising to just above zero. Probably warm enough to make it all look ugly again. We’re still hoping for white christmas, though.

Otherwise, we’re doing fine. Work is ok, travelling only for a day or 2 a week. I’ll be going to Milwaukee tomorrow morning for 2 days and be be back home the whole of Friday. Oh, last weekend we completely re-did my home-office. We went to IKEA (again) and bought a new, huge desk. Now, finally I’ve got enough space for all my stuff. And the bonus is, that this room now has a 2nd, fully fledged home theater system! Why we need another one? Ahh… because I can? Actually, the TV won’t arrive before January. This will be my ‘after christmas / pre-birthday’ - present to myself. Hihihi…

And this time (for the first time in my life) I really went all out with properly hiding all the cables. Stuart B. would be proud of me :) It took my hours and hours and hundreds of cable ties - but it was worth the effort. The same is true for the cables to the rear speakers. I bought white, plastic plumbing pipes and plenty of 90 degree angle connectors. Unfortunately, they had black text all over them, so I had to sand around 10 meters of white pipes. Again, well worth the effort and I’m very happy with the new office. Lastly, it’s the place I spend most of my time in!

Katja’s parent will arrive on Sunday and stay for 3 weeks, until just after christmas. During that time, Katja and I will enjoy the free babysitting and have already booked ourselved into the Hard Rock hotel on famous Michigan Ave in downtown for a weekend. And additionally (after watching the Bulls vs. the Celtics on TV last night) bought tickets for next weeks match vs. the Seattle Supersonics @ the United Center!!! Yeah, can’t wait to go there.

So, you see, stuff is happening here and we are more and more arriving. It’s almost 5 months already and I (again) cannot believe how quickly time passes. Missing you guys in SA a lot and certainly the odd one in Germany too :-))

Keep well & talk to you soon!
Torsten (and family)