From Russia with love
Considering the fine job that Dan Connolly and Jeff Zrebiec have been doing here in my absence, I might have to consider staying longer on the continent, especially after the discovery that they serve beer at McDonald’s restaurants in some foreign countries. In particular, this revelation has given me a new appreciation for the French culture.
If that isn’t enough, I boarded an AirBerlin flight on Thursday and the flight attendants were handing out free copies of Playboy Magazine, which caused me to spontaneously blurt out “What a country!” for the first time outside the borders of the United States. Unfortunately, it was the German language version of Playboy, so it was useless to me.
I realize you do not come to The Schmuck Stops Here for a travelogue, but I promised to pop in on occasion and I have had so little Internet access in Russia that I really don’t know what has been going on in the world of American sports. Believe it or not, I spent today in St. Petersburg at The Hermitage, the Winter Palace of the Russian czars before the communist revolution and now one of the finest museums of art in the world.
It was a strange afternoon, because every time somebody mentioned Peter the Great, I turned around and said “What?”
Does this mean I have an ego problem?
Comments
Pete,
I hope you are planning to write a article on your trip.
Posted by: gueman | November 15, 2008 4:20 PM
Funny stuff.
While at MacDonalds did you check to see if the French actually call a "Quarter Pounder" a "Royale with Cheese" per Travolta in Pulp Fiction?
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Pete's reply: It's called a Royale in France and a Royal in Russia. They call it a Quarter Pounder in England, of course. Hope that helps, Honey Bunny.
Posted by: Paul B Towson | November 15, 2008 6:03 PM
Since you couldn't read the Playboy in Germany, how did you do communicating with the cats and dogs?
Posted by: drewdy | November 15, 2008 8:16 PM
Great update Pete. Keep the comedy coming and don't look at the Playboys on the job!
Posted by: eman | November 15, 2008 8:35 PM
Hi Pete!
I'm glad you're enjoying your time away.
Posted by: Jeff from Roch-ville | November 15, 2008 8:36 PM
I was thinking I should explain something to you about reading Playboy in another language, but then I figured, if he doesn't get it by now maybe I shouldn't bother. Anyway, thanks for the post.
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Pete's reply: Yes, that was meant to be a joke.
Posted by: steveg | November 15, 2008 9:35 PM
What do you do when someone yells out "Schmuck the Snuck"? Surely, you have to acknowledge that one! That could be the title of a new blog, "The Schmuck snucks here" I like it! Where do I sign up?
Posted by: John | November 15, 2008 9:40 PM
Come on Schmucker, we were not born yesterday. Do you really think we believe your inference that you only read the articles in Playboy, and don't look at the pictures!!?? Yea, sure, "the magazine was of no use to you......."
"P" as in pictures.
Posted by: Anonymous | November 15, 2008 10:20 PM
Be careful Peter - Putin doesn't have the best record with journalists.
Posted by: john Jones | November 15, 2008 10:51 PM
"It was a strange afternoon, because every time somebody mentioned Peter the Great, I turned around and said 'What?'"
I think there's a Peter Angelos joke in there somewhere, but I'll let someone meaner than me worry about that.
Enjoy your trip.
Posted by: DJ | November 15, 2008 10:55 PM
Peter, I don't know if your travel plans take you to Latvia, but Riga (along with Prague) are probably the two nicest cities in Europe. They are charming in the same way that Annapolis is the most charming American city that I have visited. If you head in this direction, let me know and I will be happy to show you the sites of the city and take you out to one of the most unique restaurants you will ever see.
I hope that you will see St. Isaac's cathedral while you are in St. Petersburg; it is so inspiring that you feel close to God. Also, if you like art, the Russian art museum is very impressive. It has the very best of classic Russian art.
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Pete's reply: Indeed, we went to St. Isaac's and climbed the 200 steps to see the city from the top of it. Also spent an afternoon at the Hermitage. Rembrandt... Ruebens...you name it...Fantastic.
Posted by: European Prof | November 16, 2008 12:54 AM
hahahah. Useless german language playboy magazine .... I think a picture is worth a thousand words in any language.
Enjoy the rest of your vacation, Perhaps you will come back to a Ravens upset win over the current world champs. Go ravens!
Posted by: hb birds fan | November 16, 2008 1:41 AM
Pete, I'm a native baltimorian living in Moscow. I avidly read your blogs to stay updated on the O's, Ravens etc. So glad to see you've made it to my neck of the woods. Keep up the good work and have a great time in Russia.
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Pete's reply: I only made it to St. Petersburg, but it was quite an experience.
Posted by: jack bennett | November 16, 2008 2:48 AM
Schmuckie -- you will always be Peter the Great to me!
Posted by: John Palmer | November 16, 2008 7:39 AM
"Unfortunately, it was the German language version of Playboy, so it was useless to me."
So ? You were going to READ it ?
Posted by: dave | November 16, 2008 1:40 PM
Pete,
I love you like a brother, so when you imply that you actually READ a playboy I know you are a liar. If it's in German, that's fine.
Posted by: Ken | November 16, 2008 2:37 PM
"Unfortunately, it was the German language version of Playboy, so it was useless to me."
Actually Pete, this is why I come here. The wit never fails.
Can't wait for you to get back, though I'm sure you can.
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Pete's reply: Don't despair. I will be home on Friday night.
Posted by: Chris | November 17, 2008 2:34 PM
Hey Peter, I actually enjoy your occasional travel updates. Enjoy the trip. You need a break after covering the O's all season!
Posted by: Mike | November 17, 2008 4:13 PM
They serve beer EVERYWHERE over here in Germany....prost!
By the way, "schmuck", loosely translated in German means "Jewel" ! Are you a Jewel?!
HA!
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Pete's reply: Indeed, I am a jewel. Probably a topaz. I only got to stop in Germany for a layover, just long enough for a border official to rebuke my wife for having the name Schmuck and not speaking German.
Posted by: jon germany | November 17, 2008 10:29 PM
I love it how some of nitwits around here were like, "So you were going to read the playboy?"
Yes folks, that was joke. Get it. It's almost like watching the slow people get a joke two minutes later and start to snicker.
Great stuff Peter. Keep it up.
Posted by: Jake | November 18, 2008 7:35 AM