My brother has lived now in Germany going on 20 years; now a dual citizen. Told him to make sure he didn't let his assets get tied to the Euro when it came to be; he's glad he hasn't now.

We also had the pleasure of meeting a very lovely Greek gal on a work visa down in Valdez this summer. Her parents are determined for her to stay put and take care of herself while all this turmoil is going on in her homeland. Little firebrand, this gal. She'd be out on the streets with the rest of her countrymen booing the government if she were home. She worries about her family's safety.

Greece's economy was already pretty anemic going into the EU, so you can imagine my surprise when they got accepted. Doesn't seem all that long ago either; amazing.

People are in for a rude awakening...