Two dates with the Mrs.

(Munich) First was Saturday night at a local church. We have become fans of significant organs. St. Margaret's is significant. This was a concert for the 200th birthday of Cesar Frank. Baby it was cold inside this stone edifice. Note that the organist is in a overcoat and scarf. The pew were heated but only gave you a warm bum. I think it might have been 40F inside.

Then Sunday we went to the Krampuslauft down town. 30F so we were armed with Gluhwein for the parade. Krampus are mythical being which steal and punish bad children. They are driven out by Kris Kringle. I will have more in the photography section later. I have way too many to cull...

The console is at the little bump in the middle.


Christian Bischof, der Kirchemusiker


Now the stuff nightmares are made of




Yours truly. Krampus took my phone to take the selfie.

Normaly this would go to the Soccer section...

But here is an article about psychic animals predicting the World Cup.

It was a sure thing. Unanimous. England would beat France and reach their second successive World Cup semi-final. The meerkats at a Sussex zoo declared it, via the medium of clambering into an England flag-decorated bucket of whatever it is meerkats eat. Not a single meerkat put his faith in Olivier Giroud, there was no meerkat foresight when it came to Aurélien Tchouaméni firing a low, long-distance shot into the corner of Jordan Pickford’s goal.

We should have known. World Cup psychic animals have burnt us before, their competence often hovering somewhere around the level of Derek Acorah. As my colleague Marina Hyde notes, this shouldn’t be surprising, given that, y’know, they are animals. And yet, those meerkats did previously predict the Lionesses’ European Championship triumph and when Paul the Octopus repeatedly called results correctly during the 2010 World Cup the world watched. Octopuses are, after all, a very intelligent species.

Here are some others who have tried their hand – or tentacle – this year and in the past.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/dec/12/paul-the-octopus-taiyo-the-otter-world-cup-psychic-animals?utm_term=63973723211aff29630070b2bead9ab0&utm_campaign=TheFiver&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=fiver_email

Police accused in Degree scam

California.

Impugned officers in Antioch and Pittsburg allegedly conspired to get degrees to bump pay
By Nate Gartrell
ngartrell@bayareanewsgroup.com
PITTSBURG >> The FBI and state criminal investigation of East Contra Costa police officers began with allegations of cops conspiring to fraudulently obtain college degrees to collect pay bumps, this news organization has learned.

What started out as suspected salary fraud quickly snowballed. On cellphones seized by authorities, investigators uncovered evidence of other potential crimes — and more officers to look into.

Now, with indictments expected by year’s end, the probe has swelled to encompass at least a dozen Antioch and Pittsburg police officers and a growing list of crimes, including premeditated civil rights violations, falsifying reports, using and distributing steroids, using cocaine and accepting bribes while on patrol.


How many in their force are going down?

https://enewspaper.mercurynews.com/infinity/article_popover_share.aspx?guid=91b8e84a-efcf-494f-b901-ba626f81e0c6&fbclid=IwAR1P4DNVVFg8-Ibq7Vhk1pGxK573bs2eU4HJ9h8mrfiO_xJL9rV50CbMM2k

Some Xmas markt photos cross posted in Photography

With nasty weather

You go to Christmas markets. It is the season for Glühwein, Eirpunsch, and Feuerzanbowle, while visiting friends.

Schleckt Wetter (bad weather)

Had the misfortune

to find that a local Gastehaus was having a series of Advent tort tastings. They are within cycling range but the weather was cold so we were forced to go there to check it out.....

Some of the offerings


Eirliquor torte, with tart cherries and bannana


Pear almond tort


Blueberry cheese cake, Himbeernkäsekuchen


Lemon meringue tort,

Last Pics from Gran Canaria Posted in Photography

Gran Canaria #3

Last from the camera. If I get enthused I may go back through the phone and see if anything is worth it.

Trump Org Guilty on all counts

Just in from CNN. Trump's org is guilty
Wonder what the results will be punishment wise.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/06/politics/trump-organization-fraud-trial-verdict/index.html

Second set of photos from Gran Canaria cross posted in Photography