Thoughts on life from the living

2012-08-25T15:38:00.002-04:00

Update for you all, I got married one week ago on August 18th, to my beautiful wife, Kellee Ann Lewis, and we are happily living in New York City. She will be teaching at Leahman High School in the Bronx, and I am starting my second year of law school at New York Law School. This past year has been busy and hectic, but we are both happy.

Now on to the true purpose of this post. Lance Armstrong is no more a cheat than I am a seal. He had over 500 drug tests during his career, and none of them ever tested positive. He had changing hormones, so what. He was getting over cancer, which might just explain changing hormones, and many experts believe that he was within the standard range of athletes. This is a witch-hunt. Being stripped of his victories is a joke, considering the ONLY evidence against him is the testimony of convicted dopers who are trying to make themselves look better.

There is no evidence. A grand jury did not indict him for doping, and the only thing you need to show for indictment is a chance of a crime, which is a low standard. The Federal Court did not throw the case against the USADA out because Lance was doping, but because they had no jurisdiction over the matter. And since Lance's only further venue for protest is arbitration before the USADA, by an arbitrator appointed by the body, there is no winning. I do not blame him for not continuing on his defense.

Furthermore, even if he did cheat, so does almost every other cycler in the sport. So who do you give the tour victory to? Jan Ulrich was a cheater, so not him. How far down do we have to go to not find a doper. The fact is that even if Lance were doping, it would not give him the mental ability to fight his way through the pain of the Tour, especially when he was facing more pain from his cancer. This is a witch-hunt. Shame on USADA. You are failing at your mission, and there needs to be some oversight.

Spring Break

2012-03-12T13:53:00.000-04:00

Spring Break is not much of a break. I'm sitting on the fifth floor of New York Law School, looking out over West Broadway, and thinking of the massive amount of work I need to do.

I recently joined a student run clinic in New York, called the Suspension Representation Project. SRP's mission is to advocate for children who are suspended at suspension hearings in New York City schools. Many of these kids have mental disabilities, or come from unstable homes. Suspending these kids does not help them. In training, advocates are taught about the school-to-prison pipeline. If someone doesn't stand up for these kids, they will be more likely to end up in prison. The schools sweep a lot of these kids under the rug. What does that say about the future of society?

Just something to think about.

Just Vote

2012-03-05T19:46:00.000-05:00

People have fought and protested and worked hard for their right to vote.
Why do so many people today take that for granted. I don't care what you vote for, JUST VOTE! Read about the candidates for just ten minutes if you have to, and vote. The power is vested in the "people". The Constitution didn't anticipate people not wanting to vote. Tomorrow is Super Tuesday. VOTE!

Weekly Update - Election problems

2012-03-04T14:11:00.000-05:00

Had an interesting idea for the political process. Get the money out! When we have people in New York influencing an election for a Texas Senator, there exists and implicit disenfranchisement of the constituent. Not only that, but it makes the process less accessible for those who want to run, but can't afford to. The choices at the polls becomes limited to who the people with money want to back. That's not the process anticipated by the founding fathers. It is not a process that will continue to work. Get the money out!

Obama's new tax proposal

2012-02-22T18:05:00.000-05:00

Surprisingly, I agree with Obama on the overall reported plan. Lowering the corporate tax rate, decreasing the amount of tax breaks, and taxing offshore corporate income, can help revitalize the U.S. manufacturing sector. Manufacturing is the cornerstone of the economy. We'll see how this proposal evolves. Hopefully it will do some good.

The Maltusian model is back. According to the Wall Street Journal, the population growth in rural America is slowing. According to the Maltusian model, long term economic growth does not happen, rather population increases or decreases with economic output. With the decrease in population caused by the lack of jobs in rural areas, it appears to follow the Maltusian model.

Also reported in the WSJ this week, the amount of jobs for high school dropouts is decreasing at an increasing rate. Only 10% of high school dropouts have regular jobs. The return of manufacturing could increase this number substantially.

Byron (Siwelnor)

Electric Cars and Rent Control

2012-02-20T20:06:00.000-05:00

I have one real problem with electric cars, and that is their batteries. They don't last long enough, both when you consider the capacity, and the effective lifespan. On top of that, you have to charge them in a certain way, similar to how you charge your phone. When driving them, you have to know where you are going to recharge again, because there aren't many recharging stations. They also take quite awhile to charge. The point of all of this, is that a car is supposed to be utilitarian. As of now, electric cars are not.

On a separate subject, rent control doesn't work. It only helps the people already living in the apartments. It acts as an effective price ceiling, meaning that there will be more people wanting apartments, then there are people renting them out. The problem then, is a problem of volume. Rent control acts as a disincentive to potential landowners. This leads to less apartments being let out, and therefore, less apartments available for rent.

Siwelnor

Growing up.

2012-02-19T22:24:00.000-05:00

I've written some things on this blog that I'm proud of, and some I'm not. I'm taking this blog along a more professional and mature route now. I also plan to post more regularly on specific subjects. When there's something interesting in the news I want to talk about or discuss, read it here. When me and my classmates have discussions about law or politics, I'll repeat it here. When I read something in my never-ending reading list that seems interesting and relevant, I'll post it here. I will publish my sources. I will cite any cases. It is past time to grow up.

Starting with this new trend, today I read an interesting case. Stambocsky v. Ackley, 572 N.Y.S.2d 672* is a hillarious decision based on the doctrine of caveat emptor, or let the buyer beware. Ackley decides he see's a ghost, and publishes this in the news, and tell's everyone about it. He tries to sell his "haunted" house to Stambocsky, and later Stambocsky finds out about the "haunting" and decides to break the contract. Ackley sues for specific performance**, and the judge goes on a Ghost Busters field day. It's a great case to read, and if you have access to legal research materials, I would read it.

* Volume 572 pg 772 of the New York state Reporter, Second edition. ***
** A court order to do what you promised to do in the contract, in this case buying the house.
*** This is the footnote format I use.

Thank You Marines

2011-11-10T14:44:00.000-05:00

Today is the birthday of the United States Marine Corps. These proud men and women have served in every war and armed conflict the U.S.A. has been involved with. Thank you all marines for your service and dedication.

So Busy

2011-11-09T23:05:00.000-05:00

I'm real busy with law school right now, but I really love it. It's nice to study something that you actually want to spend your life doing. I'm really leaning towards litigation right now because it seems the most in tune with my personality.

I have a bag of clementines on my desk. They are really tasty and hopefully will help me ward off any more diseases that I seem to aquier from the subway despite my use of hand sanitizer.

Anyway, today we heard about the coming retirement of Joe Paterno. I always looked up to Joe because he always ran a clean, legit program. Now he is coming down in possible disgrace because his former assistant coach molested children. It's sad to think that the man's legacy can crumble just like that. I don't know how involved he was in the cover-up, but my heart goes out to all the Penn State fans and also to the victims.

Occupy Wallstreet needs to move. They have taken over my commute and I don't like it. Also I don't agree with their message. Yes there needs to be bank reform, but the reform should not involve redistribution of wealth. It just doesn't work.

The Euro is pretty much doomed. I remember predicting that when the Euro was created. When I was around 5 years old and ignorant.

That's life, let's keep on living.

Law School

2011-09-07T17:12:00.000-04:00

So I've started Law School, and I am loving it. I feel intellectually challenged every day.
In Criminal Law we discuss and explore the strategic policy objectives of deciding which conduct to criminalize, and how to punish said conduct. In contracts, we study what makes a contract, including discussions of what constitutes a valid offer. In Torts, we explore the concepts of negligence through case law. In legal practice, we serve as associates at a firm where we conduct client interviews, write office memos, and research legal issues.

My home life is pretty good as well. I actually enjoy cooking, and I have a varied diet.

My weekly schedule looks a little like this.
Monday:
Contracts and Crim
Read for LP and do any LP homework not already finished.
Edit notes from the day.
Cook
Web surf.
Tuesday
LP
Read Torts
Torts
Edit notes
Read for Contracts and Crim
Wed and Thur are the same as Mon-Tue
Friday:
Study, review, and outline notes from full course.
Work on larger lp projects
Saturday is my day off to watch Michigan Football.
My week might also include various seminars on legal issues.

See you all soon.

Byron Siwelnor

Stroke victim sues Dallas for Public Intoxication charge - Mix 102.9

2011-07-27T00:07:00.000-04:00

Stroke victim sues Dallas for Public Intoxication charge - Mix 102.9

More examples of police bullying. I think police officers in general are good people, and I respect the job they do. However, there are some who do go into situations with their assumptions, and don't look at the evidence staring them in the face.

Byron Siwelnor

Angelina County jury finds man guilty of evading arrest after being mistaken for burglar in his own home - The Lufkin Daily News: Local & State

2011-07-21T20:31:00.000-04:00

Angelina County jury finds man guilty of evading arrest after being mistaken for burglar in his own home - The Lufkin Daily News: Local & State

This article speaks to the utter lack of common sense that law enforcement officials can make. They go looking for a criminal, they see a guy run and hide in a bedroom, and they spray mace in his face. I can see how his behavior could seem threatening, and I can see the need for caution. I do not see the need to pepper spray and use excessive force against someone who isn't acting threatening towards you. On top of that, the DA and Judge should have the common sense to realize that if you have a mentally handicapped man, who does not speak English, lived at the home that was supposedly robbed, then he probably doesn't belong in jail.

A crime has to have three elements, act, harm and intent. He was hiding in a bathroom, not fighting the cops. I don't see that as an act of resisting arrest. (Since he was not told he was under arrest in the first place.) What harm was there, except to his own person, and his home? Did the police suffer injuries? No. Lastly, how can he have intended to resist arrest if he did not understand what was happening?

The Judge said he couldn't sympathize with the victim because he didn't speak in his own defense. Again, he has the mind of a child! He doesn't speak English! Furthermore, he isn't required by the Constitution to testify, and as a Judge, it is his job to look past that and try the case based on the facts. Lastly, why would you want to put him in jail for six months. It's ridiculous!

The last comment by the prosecutor, that he tried the case because the law said he had to, is also an issue. Prosecutors are given leeway on which cases they prosecute. He should have never taken that man to court. This was wrong, and I hope that people learn from this case, and the others like it.

Byron Siwelnor

McCarthyism today

2011-07-21T14:23:00.000-04:00

Last night I watched a movie at a friends house. That movie was Good Night, and Good Luck, a movie on Ed Murrow, and journalism during the Red Scare, when journalists had to look over their shoulders in fear of McCarthy and the military accusing them of being communists. That movie sparked the thought that some of this continues today. When we have to censor our speech in an airport for fear of being arrested, then it is time to reevaluate how we decide who is a security threat.

Just something to think about,

Byron Siwelnor

United Against Work and Sweden

2011-07-11T14:53:00.000-04:00

You Aint' working and Sweden

So whenever I say that socialism does not work, someone has to bring up Sweden. News Flash, Sweden is not doing so great. First, it's a small country. Second, two major companies just left Sweden because they can't compete there. (Saab and Volvo). Thirdly, because it's a small country, the government only has to make a fraction of the jobs a larger country like the US has to make. We will see how long Sweden's model will last.
Even China recognizes that the free market works in most situations. China is not socialist, they are a dictatorship posing as true communism.

On another note, the UAW is killing themselves. I agree that the top executives can be greedy and do take too much in bonuses. However, the UAW does not help the situation. A company whose name I cannot reveal because I learned of it in confidence had to close a plant in Detroit because it was uncompetitive. They opened a new plant 100 miles away in Michigan and negotiated with the UAW to get a wage rate lower than in Detroit. Where do you think the jobs went? The same company offered buy outs to its workers, and they didn't take the buy outs in favor of staying in the job bank. (Where they just sit around and get paid at 95 % of their wage rates). The CEO sent a letter to all of them to report to work the next day or they were fired. They all took the buyout. What is with this entitled mentality. If the UAW works so well, why do the Japanese companies pay more to the American Worker than the Americans. It's because they can afford to because they are still competitive, and are selling. The UAW can't bite the hand that feeds them. The employer should be seen as the benefactor, not the enemy. The companies can't even make good business deals because they are in fear of the UAW. Something has to give. Both sides need to work for the betterment of the company, not themselves. By bettering the company, they better themselves.

Byron Siwelnor

Happy Independence Day

2011-07-04T23:48:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday America!

I just like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to be thankful that we are Americans. As Americans, we are free to criticize the government and we are free to write these blogs. Some Americans take their criticism too far. They disrespect the flag, burning it in protest. That is not right! Protest the government all you want, but when you burn the flag you disrespect your neighbors, yourself, and the hero's who shed blood to allow you to criticize it. Be thankful, for as we speak, thousands of American men and women are fighting for your freedom right now. These men and women did not choose their battlefield. They did not choose to raise or lower taxes. They did not decide any laws. When you burn the flag you disrespect their sacrifice, a sacrifice that allows your disrespect. Let's be adults and not be disrespectful.

Thank you to all the members of the armed forces, both current and veterans. You sacrifice so that we may live free. Be proud, for you embody the American spirit. God bless you all!

Byron Siwelnor

Elections 101: Ten facts about Thaddeus McCotter and his run for president - What are his strengths? - CSMonitor.com

2011-07-02T14:27:00.000-04:00

Elections 101: Ten facts about Thaddeus McCotter and his run for president - What are his strengths? - CSMonitor.com

As one of his current constituents (he's the rep I voted for)

I'm impressed with his resume, but I doubt he will go far in this election. I hope he manages to get our message out though.

What do you think?

Sick of the Lies

2011-07-02T14:22:00.000-04:00

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/obama-us-cant-afford-all-corporate-tax-breaks-2011-07-02?siteid=rss&rss=1
The "millionaires" Obama refers too include anyone who makes $250k or more. $250k is still in the middle class. The government likes to say middle-class is $60,000 but if you look at what $60,000 buys now compared to in the 60's, then you will realize that $60,000 is no longer middle class. True $250k is upper-middle class, but they are by no means rich. Most of those people are men and women who worked hard all their lives and are at the height of their careers. They will not make any more. They are living comfortable lives in houses, not mansions. They drive fords, not Ferrari's. If they do drive a Ferrari, they have to make a decision on what they are going to give up for it. They do not have so much money that buying a car is a small decision. Now the government wants to push them back to were they started from. Note I am talking about people around $250k not people who are billionaires. These are the people who will be most affected by the proposed tax increase, not Bill Gates and his buddies!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124960404730212955.html
Why should people not use corporate jets when the government does? Why should congress get a jet but not a CEO? At least the CEO has important meetings with other companies in different countries on consecutive days. What do the Congressmen do with their jets? Campaign? What do you think!

Government should stop with the pork. Instead of threatening Medicare, stop buying treadmills for shrimp. Cut the pork. Cut the fat. Stop strangling the economy with regulation. Regulate to facilitate competition, not to end it. Stop trying to plan the economy, that's the consumers job.

Enough of the Pork and Fat in government. Enough of the lies. Enough!

Mascots in Ann Arbor

2011-07-01T17:03:00.000-04:00

One word! NO!

To add a mascot to Michigan is akin to changing our identity. It's like changing the winged helmet, or changing the lyrics to The Victors. Yes, little changes are good. The pregame show performed by the MMB over the years has changed. The uniforms have changed. We once had an unofficial mascot (Willy the Wolverine or some such nonsense). Certain traditions are added and they stick. Others fall away. We still sing Varsity as one of our fight songs, but it has been surpassed by the Victors. We added the winged helmet. We added Let's Go Blue, Blues Brothers, and other great songs. Traditions changed over time. However, we tried the Mascot. It failed.

David Brandon wants to bring kids to see the mascot. Bull! I was a kid who loved Michigan football. Not for a mascot (there wasn't one), but for the band, the game, the players, all the things that make Michigan great. We don't need a mascot to bring in kids. We just need to be great.

The real issue is the marketing. The mascot would be sold at appearances, as plush toys, and on t-shirts. It's all a money grab. Say no to mascots in A^2. Our tradition is that we don't need one. We actively ridicule mascots such as Sparty when they come to the Big House. Why would we want them to ridicule a mascot that looks like a cute and cuddly badger. A wolverine is not cute, nor is it cuddly. It will rip out your lungs.

Leave the buffoons to little sister and lesser schools. At Michigan we have the team, the band, and the fans.

Byron Siwelnor

Fear

2011-06-30T02:00:00.000-04:00

So last weekend, my friends and I went to Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio. Prior to this trip I hated roller coasters. My fear of them was only surpassed by my fear of Spiders and other creepy crawlies. So we get to Cedar Point, and as soon as we get on the gondolas that take us to the other side of the park, I started getting that fear in the pit of my gut. I wondered if it was fear or that really big breakfast at Denny's that would make me blow chunks.

Luckily, I was there with my twin, (not really twins, or even blood related) who dragged me on the Magnum first thing. This coaster was wild. I kept my eyes open, and while I almost blew chunks coming off of it (after the ride), it was highly enjoyable. We continued on to the wooden coasters (Mean Streak, and Gemini), and then to the Millennium Force. The Millennium Force tested all my fears, and in the end I won. I went on many more coasters that day (including the front of the Raptor, and my favorite, the Maverick), and I never felt sick, or like I was going to die. The only ones I refused to go on were the Dragster (due to doctors orders), and the Max Air (I had ridden it before and it was physically painful to my body to ride). I can't wait to go back and hit up the ones I missed.

Fear is a funny thing.. It eats you up, but you just have to face it. It's like in Green Lantern, when Hal and the gang realize that you don't live without fear, but you overcome it. Maybe there is hope for my fear of Spiders. (I'm obscenely arachnophobic).

Also, do you think I should repay twin by taking her to face her fear of monster trucks?

Byron Siwelnor

I'm back. Now Europe the next part.

2011-06-30T01:48:00.000-04:00

After Vienna, the family and I went to Madrid. There we visited my sister, who was interning there.

In la Plaza del Sol, there was a manefestacion (protest) made up of a tent city of young adults who were protesting not having jobs or enough money to get an education. They had been there for weeks, and the protest actually ended the day we left. This just showed us how bad Spain's economy is currently. Part of it can be attributed to the work day. They start around 9am, work until lunch, have lunch for 3 hours, then work till 8 or ten. Then they party.

Another interesting think from Spain is how the kings are related to the Hapsburgs. The family relationship between Austria and Spain was evident in the architecture, and grandeur of the palace. The palace itself was the grandest, most over the top, of all the European Palaces. (According to my dad who has seen Versailles and many other palaces)

Well that brings me to the end of my vacation story. Tune in next time for real news and stuff.

18 Bicycle Mishaps - CollegeHumor Video Playlist

2011-06-24T12:24:00.000-04:00

18 Bicycle Mishaps - CollegeHumor Video Playlist

Thank you for doing this.

We are living in a police state.

2011-06-23T21:39:00.000-04:00

We live in a police state. The prosecutors are going nuts. Today on the news, I heard about a 70 year old woman was woken up in the middle of the night by some police officers knocking on her door. She slowly went to open it (she has severe arthritis), but before she could they kicked the door down and sicked a police dog on her. Then she was arrested and ticketed for interfering with a police officer (while she was being mauled by the K-9). No warning was given. The cops covered their own asses by ticketing her. They were looking for her son, not her. They gave her no chance to comply or help. They released the dogs in her home. That is not right.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110612/NEWS03/106120522/Family-s-life-unravels-claims-dad-raped-daughter
Another story involves a girl with autism with the mentality of a one year old. "His 14-year-old daughter -- mute and autistic -- communicated only through a technique called facilitated communication (FC), a typing method in which an aide guided her hand." This was proved to be an ineffective method by EMU and UofM. The untrained aide reported that the girl was raped by her father and brother. Now someone with common sense would think "did this really happen"? The prosecutor proceeded with the case and broke up the family and imprisoned the father. They interrogated a disabled boy saying that they knew he raped his sister and he should just admit it. What is wrong with these people.

I feel that there is a serious lack of judgement in the law enforcement community in several areas and this problem needs to be addressed.

Byron Siwelnor

Europe Again

2011-06-22T15:21:00.000-04:00

So the next morning, I tried to go to the armor and music museum again, but the place was still heavily guarded. They also prevented me from going to the Museum of Ecclesiastic and Secular Relics. I ended up going with my mother to St. Stephen's and we took a tour of the bell tower. It was pretty cool. Here's a picture of it. I loved the way the inside is lit. The place just felt so peaceful. It was a truly holy place. I also liked how the outside had gargoyles, my favorite mythical creature. Then we went to eat, and ended up going to the globe museum. It had a lot of globes. It was interesting to see how the view of the world changed as science and exploration advanced. It stormed on the way back, so we bought some umbrellas, and I found a really nice maize one. Michigan represent. I managed to get it back to Michigan too.

Another nice thing about the day was our good deed trail. At the bell tower, Mom asked for a 5 cent piece to give to some kids who were trying to make a pressed penny. They looked like she gave them a fortune:) Later we met a woman from Florida who was hopelessly lost. We used my skills with a map to walk her back to St. Stephens, and then showed her on a map how to find the Belvedere Museum. It was fun, and we got to meet new people. We also had a nice conversation with a woman from San Fransisco who was born and raised in Germany, but forgot how to speak German. She still has a very thick German accent though.

The following day, mother and I took a tour bus to Baden bei Wien. (Baden near Vienna) It was a little town in the south of Austria, surrounded by the foothills of the Alps. It was famous for its baths, and for being the inspiration and part time home for many composers. Beethoven wrote his ninth symphony here, and Strauss, Schubert, and Mozart spent time here as well. It was a nice town that was burned down completely in 1812. They rebuilt the town in Biedermeier style. Now every building that is built must be in this style. After WWII, the Soviets occupied Baden, and only left when they were paid lots of money, and an agreement that Austria would remain neutral in the Cold War. When they left, they took all the machinery, capital, and infrastructure that wasn't built on an immovable foundation. It took 50 years for the first hotel to reopen in Baden because of the damage to the economy.

On the way down to Baden we stopped at a Monastery. It was beautiful and still operated by the Cistercian Monks. It is the oldest continually operated monastery of the order. It houses several Trinity columns, and a massive Romanesque church. The Cloisters were built over several time periods, as evidenced by the pre-Gothic and Gothic arches. (Gothic arches are pointier). The monastery also holds the tombs of the last Badenburgs, which preceded the house of Hapsburg. The highlight of the tour was when we mistakenly entered the church while the monks were singing. It was the most beautiful chant I have ever heard. It filled my heart with a sense of piece and the knowledge that God was there in the music. Of course some idiots on the tour had to ruin it by taking pictures of the monks. The tour guide put a stop to that right away. Seriously, people have to have more respect in the house of God.

Anyway this concludes my talk of Austria. Tomorrow the beginning of Spain.

Europe Day 2

2011-06-19T15:25:00.000-04:00

So the second day of the trip I spent by myself. Mom and Dad had some function to go to, so I set out on my own to discover some musical history. I first went to the apartments Mozart lived in. In these apartments, his second in the city, he wrote the Marage of Figaro, and the Magic Flute. He was good friends with Hayden and composed several string quartets with him in the apartment. He also taught students, composed, and played billiyards. I also learned that when he died, he was not by any means poor. He had a sizable income, however he did suffer from a gambling problem. I also learned that he lived just down the alley in an apartment when he came to Vienna. He would look out the window at his humble beginnings for inspiration.

After Mozart's home, I went to the museum of Music, which by the way sucked. It was mostly a museum of the Vienna Philharmonic, and a poor one at that. I then took it upon myself to eat at Burger King, which had Big Kings and a McKing... yeah, but hey they had free refills on Coke. I then attempted to go see a Museum in the Hofberg dedicated to ancient musical instruments and armor. Unfortunately there was a big protest and the cops were surrounding the museum. I later found out from one of the officers that the European Economic Summit was happening inside, and they were discussing the economic bailout of Greece. That was interesting to me as an economist, but I still would have preferred to see the museum. They sure like to protest in Europe. They even had the military protecting the summit.

Here are some pictures. The first is Mozart's apartment. The second is the museum with the cops barricade. That picture was taken the day before the summit started.

europe weiner and road construction and greece

2011-06-17T18:24:00.000-04:00

So it's been a while since I last updated, because I was in Europe, and it costs like 10 euros an hour to use Swisscom's wifi. This shall document my thoughts of that lovely continent.

My trip started with an almost ending. I showed up with my family at the Air France ticket desk, and my ticket was not in their computer. Eventually that snafu was fixed and we did the whole security thing and got to the gate. While in the boarding line, I realized that I was missing the boarding pass for the trip from Paris to Vienna. That nightmare was also solved quite quickly. After a seven and a half hour flight to Paris, my legs were dead from being stuck in the small airline seats. I swear they must have been designed for hobbits.

We landed in Paris and found out we had a half an hour to get to the next gate. Normally this would not be a problem, but at Charles De Gaul, it was a nightmare. We had to clear customs and run like hell for half a day's pilgrimage to get to the next gate, going through and leaving security 3 times. During one of the security checks, they found a bike wrench in by bag that I didn't know was there, and they started yelling in French as my parents ran off towards the plane. I explained what it was and they let me keep it, and soon after, I caught up to the family. We got to the gate just in time to catch our flight. So to all the flight planners out there - Please put the gates closer together for connecting flights.

Vienna is a beautiful city. A lot of the architecture from the 15th century has survived in old Vienna and the buildings are just breathtaking. We arrived rather late in the day, so my dad and I went out to see some of the sights. Our hotel had a beautiful view of Old Vienna, and it was located next to Statdpark and the Wein Canal. We walked down the street and across the canal and saw something quite beautiful to our eyes - bike lanes. The bike lanes were painted onto the sidewalk, and you were not allowed to walk in them (unless you had a death wish). These lanes went all over the city. You could even rent a bike at Statdpark from a machine for two euros. Vienna also has a metro and a streetcar for public transportation.

The next day, my family and I set out to explore this historic city in true Lewis fashion. We saw all we could non stop until the day was done. We went to St. Stephan's Cathedral first. This building was beautiful with lots of Gothic architecture. It had gargoyles (my favorite mythical beings) on the roof and large towers. Inside , it was full of beautiful paintings, and murals, and the light from the stained glass windows made rainbows on every surface. The church was a work of art.

Later we went to the Imperial Apartments in the Hofberg. The first part of the tour was a viewing of the Imperial Silver. I never saw such grand things to eat off of. I'd be too afraid of damaging them to eat off any of the pieces. Their was a whole wing of the palace dedicated to displaying silver, porcelain, and gold plates, candelabras, and silverware. Upstairs were the apartments of Emperor Frans Joseph I and his wife, Empress Elizabeth of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. These rooms were very nicely decorated and furnished, but were surprisingly low key in comparison to the Spanish palace. Everything was beautiful and well made, but most things were not covered in gold or silver. There was no grand throne room, but just an audience chamber with some nice chairs for the Emperor.

Finally we went to the Historical Museum and viewed their fine art portraits, and their collection of ancient Greek, roman, and Egyptian antiquities. We also walked around viewing the town and beautiful gardens. It was a wonderful day.

More from the vacation as well as Weiner, road construction, and Greece financial news in the coming days.