In the past year, I’ve lost most of my self confidence, been consciously depressed, including pissing off most of my friends who attempted to keep in contact with me, losing about 25 lbs, and finding out I’m anorexic. I spent the majority of my time trying to make someone love me the way I wanted, even though I realized a long time ago that that would never happen, and turned out to be a rather expensive endeavor, all for nothing. I kept turning to her out of complete and utter loneliness, only for her to turn a cold shoulder every time I needed her.

So what did I learn from all of this? There’s a reason some divorced women are divorced. A bit harsh, but in this case entirely true. I also learned that even though I think I unhealthily lost weight, I am happy with how my body looks now (I’ve since gained a few pounds back from my lowest weight), and I now eat very healthy in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and nice looking body. Lastly, I learned that true friends really are forever and always outlast relationships. I owe a lot to my friends for not giving up on me. I love you all dearly.

When you hit the bottom, there is only one path left, and that’s up. I’m already on that path, rebuilding my life and making up for all the missed opportunities I’ve had in the past year. I’ve been reconnecting with friends that I’ve blown off, been going to salsa more (and to new places), and I hope to start going out more often (I need a social life in addition to salsa).

Other resolutions for this year are to move back to Munich (LA is not the place for me), find a partner (hopefully as close to opposite as the last as possible), take and share more photos, improve my German to business level (I’m not that far off actually), learn enough Japanese to converse with friends (hoping to finally get past the random words & phrases I currently know), get LASIK/LASEK (sick of wearing contacts & I want 20/40 vision), get rhinoplasty (to breathe better, not for looks), fix my teeth (whiten & refill some old cavities), imrpove my skin (which I think will happen naturally once I move away from the LA smog), and start traveling again. Re-reading those, it sounds like I’m a little vain, but they’re actually all to improve myself (except for my teeth, that’s purely cosmetic).

Hofbräuhaus

On the last day of August, I flew to Vegas for the day to go to my friend Svihla‘s wedding. Svihla and I worked together in Germany. I’ve always really enjoyed going out for drinks with him and his stammtisch group. This year, Svihla brought his wife-to-be over to get married in Vegas. The ceremony was short, sweet, and performed by a German woman who worked at that chapel. He has requested that I wear my lederhosen as he and his wife would also be wearing tracht. Although I love wearing my lederhosen, this posed somewhat of a situation. As I was onlly going for the day it would have been easiest just to wear lederhosen the entire time, but obviously everyone will stare. I ended up wearing jeans to Vegas with my lederhosen in a small bag. I changed just before the wedding and ended up wearing my lederhosen home on the plane.

After the ceremony, it was obviously time to celebrate. Svihla arranged to go to Hofbräuhaus, which was supposedly a replica of the one in Munich. Although quite similar, it’s not like the real thing. It’s even quite Americanized once inside, but it was still a lot of fun. Four liters later and it was starting to feel more and more like the real thing.

I’ve been back just over 24 hours and all I can think about is being in Munich. Not only does Oktoberfest kick ass, but seeing all my friends and being able to spend time with them truly makes me happy. Every time I visit Munich since I’ve lived there, it just makes me want to move back. The quality of life is infinitely better than what the States has to offer. The friends I’ve made there are some of my closest friends in all the world.

Note the virgin White Russian in Martin

This time around I got to see a lot of friends I don’t normally get to see when I visit you Munich. That was a definite added bonus. I was especially happy to see Michelle, whom I haven’t seen since before I moved back to the States since she went back to Taiwan (more than two years ago). I also had the pleasure of meeting her baby boy Martin. Such a cute and cool kid. Fun to play with and very smart for only being 15 months old. We taught him how to cheers, and shortly thereafter he wanted to clank glasses every time he took a drink of his virgin White Russian.

Like last year, I had many good conversations with Brad about women, movies, and life in general. Nothing beats great conversation over a big glass of some of the best beer in the world. Brad and our now common group of friends (including Alex, Thomas, Edita, and Silke) spent the most time together, with varying members joining and leaving the table throughout the course of two days. Not to mention all the random new people we met and spoke with about random ass shit. Maybe some of the funniest random people we met were the gay guys from Franconia who took a rather strong liking to Brad because he’s just a big ol’ teddy bear and seeing him just makes you want to hug him, or at least that’s what one of those guys thought. I also had a funny random encounter with a lady in one of the tents who was a good 15 years older than me. She kissed my check several times and wanted me to sit on her lap. Yeah, that didn’t happen, but it humored me for at least half an hour speaking with her while I was waiting for my friend.

I was also happy to see Svihla and his rowdy group of friends whom I drank with last year. Funny group of Bavarians who really know how to have a good time. In my somewhat inebriated state towards the end of Monday night, I went to the bathroom and went out the exit leading outside, only to find that the tent was closed and I wasn’t able to get back in (sorry Svihla). This actually worked out rather well because I went back to my previous table with Brad and crew only to find out that Andi was spotted by Alex in the bathroom. A few text messages later and there he was with his shiny bald head. He’s now a father and has built a house just to the North of Munich. A lot has changed in the two years since I left. But I really can’t stress how nice it is to see old friends. Michelle also came back about the same time Andi arrived. I guess she hadn’t had enough after spending a few hours with us prior to having to leave for her German lesson. I’d call that dedication (or it could be something else, Brad knows what I’m talking about), especially since they had stopped serving beer and the night at Oktoberfest was almost over. I was happy she came back though, she’s a really cool girl.

Met a few old roommates, (Enea, Marcus, & Erik, this means you).

Me with 3 crazy Swiss Italians (Francesco, Chris, Enea)

Me and Marcus the Wappler

Of the five and a half days I was in Munich, I had the pleasure of wearing lederhosen four of those days, including to the dance club Saturday night. You may think it’s funny, but they are unbelievably comfortable and extremely practical. You spill something on them, no worries, it just makes them look better. You need to relieve your belly of some of the beer that’s been digesting, no problem, just drop the front flap (there is a built-in widening under the flap for ease of relieving oneself). Feeling randy? Not only do you have easy access, but there is a designated area on the hill behind Oktoberfest where it is legal to get your groove on. During Oktoberfest, it is not only accepted, but often encouraged to wear lederhosen or dirndl out and about and to work. So you’ll see many people sporting the traditional clothing walking around on the streets and in the clubs on the weekends. Kinda sweet if you ask me.

All in all, the atmosphere at Oktoberfest is amazing. Several 10s of thousand people all gathered in a rather small area for the same reason, friends, beer, and the ultimate of good times. The food is also amazing. Really some of the best food in the world. I have never had anything bad there and I can honestly say that the half chicken is by far the best chicken I’ve ever eaten in my life anywhere in the world. It’s mind blowing. They rotisserie it while dripping beer over the outside, giving it this magical crust and juicy inside. Absolutely brilliant!