Ich bin müde.

[Magpie Maniac]

My flight leaves on Saturday. In preparation for the time difference, I've been going to bed early and waking up earlier than I normally do. I woke up at 4:45 this morning. I'm going to try to get up by 3:00 Saturday morning.

And I'm exhausted. I've been getting at least eight hours of sleep and taking brisk early morning walks to boost my energy level. By 10:00 AM, I hit the wall and feel like napping. I hope that this isn't an indication of how I'll feel in Germany.

My plan for the overnight flight on Saturday is to sleep as much as possible and drink water. I'm bringing ear plugs and a neck pillow. We land in Frankfurt at 7:00 AM local time or 1:00 AM EDT. If I can get enough sleep during the flight, I'm going to try to stay awake until 11:00 PM or midnight German time.

To me, sleep deprivation feels a lot like a bad hangover. Terrible feeling.

[roadkit]

I get in at 0700 on Sunday also (from Dulles). Mrs. Roadkit flew to California today which required me to get up at 0345. I think I may follow your lead and do likewise tomorrow. I was already planning on getting up at around 0300 on Saturday anyway.

Whatever you do, you need to try and power through on Sunday. My plan is to get checked into the hotel, maybe take a short run, chill out for awhile and then head into Frankfurt to catch the S&M/Netherlands, Mexico/Iran and Portugal/Angola matches on the Jumbotron in the middle of the Main river. That should be enough to keep me awake until 11:00 pm or so.

I have a tendency to wake up at all hours due to jetlag regardless of how tired I am, so I also plan on medicating Sunday night (Ambien) to make sure I get a solid 8 hours sleep before gameday. ;)

[Magpie Maniac]

Whatever you do, you need to try and power through on Sunday. My plan is to get checked into the hotel, maybe take a short run, chill out for awhile and then head into Frankfurt to catch the S&M/Netherlands, Mexico/Iran and Portugal/Angola matches on the Jumbotron in the middle of the Main river. That should be enough to keep me awake until 11:00 pm or so.

Indeed, powering through Sunday is a must. My brother is going along (my wife and kids are staying home) and I'm hoping that he can hack it. He's about 10 years older than I am (I'm 36 and he's around 46 or so), but I'm not sure that'll make much difference since I feel 56 right now. ;) He's very busy at work this week and tends to forget those important that hints I give him, e.g. go to sleep and wake up early.

On the plus side, the town we're staying in (Lampertheim) is apparently the asparagus capital of the world. They're having their annual asparagus festival (http://www.lampertheim.de/cms/bfh.php?netfolderID=10012&depth=1&ida=&idb=&obj=article&id=4433&preview=off) from June 10 to 12. Who in the hell could sleep through that? :D

[Iplayedforchelsea]

On the plus side, the town we're staying in (Lampertheim) is apparently the asparagus capital of the world. They're having their annual asparagus festival (http://www.lampertheim.de/cms/bfh.php?netfolderID=10012&depth=1&ida=&idb=&obj=article&id=4433&preview=off) from June 10 to 12. Who in the hell could sleep through that? :D

Why else would you be in Germany this summer!?!?!?!?!?:D

[roadkit]

Indeed, powering through Sunday is a must. My brother is going along (my wife and kids are staying home) and I'm hoping that he can hack it. He's about 10 years older than I am (I'm 36 and he's around 46 or so)

I'll be 46 in a month, so he better hack it. I don't want us in the mid-40's getting a bad rap! :D

[AGF Aarhus]

On the plus side, the town we're staying in (Lampertheim) is apparently the asparagus capital of the world. They're having their annual asparagus festival (http://www.lampertheim.de/cms/bfh.php?netfolderID=10012&depth=1&ida=&idb=&obj=article&id=4433&preview=off) from June 10 to 12. Who in the hell could sleep through that? :D
Looks like a blast, and you can always get the Asparagus Princess to help you 'power through'.

http://www.walbeck.net/seiten/92/bilder-vom-umzug-der-spargel-prinzessin-in-walbeck/

[Magpie Maniac]

Looks like a blast, and you can always get the Asparagus Princess to help you 'power through'.

http://www.walbeck.net/seiten/92/bilder-vom-umzug-der-spargel-prinzessin-in-walbeck/

Honestly, this is why we picked a smaller town to stay. :) The people sometimes appreciate your staying and spending your money more than the big cities. It was less than an hour's drive from the Frankfurt airport; a few miles from the main train station in Mannheim; on the Rhein River; near Kaiserslautern; and a short drive from Heidelberg.

But I'm still very, very tired as I wait for the A/C guy to inspect our system. I'm trying to get some things settled before I leave my wife and kids...temporarily that is. :D

[Magpie Maniac]

OK, I surrender. I'm taking a quick nap while my little 22 month-old daughter is taking hers.

Bis Spater.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Edit: Oh, wait. Those 2002 US matches are about to come on ESPN Classic. As tired as I am, it should feel just like old times. :)