Longest Game EVER

Yesterday my picture made a Macedonian newspaper under a write up for the game. I have no idea what this article says accept that my name is spelled "Џон Чепел" in jibberish and that I scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds and am American. That may not be entirely accurate because sometimes I suspect that they use chimpanzees to track the statistics. This was easily the longest game I have ever played in my life. Not only did this game require two overtimes to complete, it was also delayed an hour at halftime when a jumpshot (not a dunk) caused the rim to fall to the ground and elicit loud cheers from the drunken crowd. Then, the janitor went on a wild scramble to find spare parts to reattach the rim while we kept warm by joining the opposing team's basket. This game provided an answer to one of life's great mysteries. How many Macedonians does it take to fix a basketball hoop? Apparently it takes 10 as evidenced by the photo below. After 4 hours it ended and thankfully we wont have to see this team again, because now the league has been cut to the final 6 and this team did not make it. Other memories from this game that I will carry with me include: the drunken old men playing tubas and drums making it impossible to hear anything, and when I went to catch a lob at the end of regulation and the opposing center undercut me causing me to land directly on my tailbone and proceeded to intentionally knee me in the back as I was struggling up, and then said to me, "watch yourself." Macedonians are friendly people.
 

A Lesson in Macedonian Culture: Interior Decorating

How to Decorate your Apartment

Macedonian culture has been around for hundreds of years, long before the United States even existed. However while most of the world progressed to the cultural landscape we know today, Macedonia seems to be stuck somewhere between 1975 and 1987. 80's ballad rock bands like Simply Red and Bon Jovi dominate the airwaves, and Run DMCesque track suits are fashionably in. The buildings also have an weird old school vibe. I am now living in a remodeled room attached to the sports hall where our team plays. While I can't say that it is an upgrade over my apartment from last year, it is definitely more modern, and would not be a good example of typical Macedonian interior decorating. So I will take you on a tour back in time to the year 2010, to give you an idea of how I lived before I moved into a glorified dorm room. If you ever move to Macedonia, this is how you should decorate.

This is the piano I spent a lot of time staring at. Get one of these!

You are not a baller in Macedonia unless you have a nice vhs player.
You will also want a tv that hasn't worked in 10 years.
and a state-of-the-art heating unit.

and of course sewing thread in a vase surounded by angels.

Also, make sure that you hang a lamp in the middle of your living room at chest level.

Your home is not complete without a violin clock and religious holographic trading card

Make sure you also strategically place your two most creepy collectables next to each other. For example a plate featuring an evil cat playing by the ocean, and a scary doll.

You may also want to display your war hero themed tea set.

You should always keep an ash tray and coffee cup man on top of your refrigerator.

If you break something, dont worry it's not yours, just hide the evidence.

If you are too tall for a conventional bed, make one out of a rock hard box.

A painting is a nice touch. This one is titled: Waterdamaged Pieceofcrap

Finally, an oddly shaped vase centered between gray and gold elephants is ESSENTIAL!