Hello, My Name is Kevin Schwarm
A free spirit's take on work, life, travel, & consumerism

Recently, some in the mainstream media have said the situation involving Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump may be referred to as the "Epstein files" controversy. Regarding this controversy, I've included just a brief refresher of the high-level news reports from 2025. A quiz is included to outline the types of questions a critical thinker may have about this controversy. As a reminder, this quiz is presented in a satirical manner. Remember, no one fights so hard to keep someth

This blog post is a compilation of photos I took in Munich, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and then back in Munich in October of 2025. Some commentary is provided. MUNICH Getting ready for Oktoberfest in Munich. The weather is cool and rainy, but nothing is preventing me from wearing this outfit to Oktoberfest. Enjoying Oktoberfest, finally! Large pretzels, shared among friends. As the beer flows in the Oktoberfest tents and facilities, pretzel sales skyrocket. BERLIN Biking west of

Europe The driving age in Germany is 18, but you can drink beer at 16. In Germany, they learn to drink and then drive. In the USA, we learn to drive and then learn to drink. Many Germans will greet you with a “hallo” or “Guten Tag,” but rarely ask how you are doing. That’s too formal and typically done among friends and family. Americans are more friendly but superficial, and usually assume that “how are you?” means you’re just saying hello. Europeans may ask about your trip

As readers of this article may know, Tom Brady, the winningest QB in NFL history, is a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. In 2022,...

This article describes how my musical influences have changed over the years.

Several weeks ago, President Trump ordered approximately 800 National Guard members to Washington, D.C., to combat crime. This is the...

This was the first in-person meeting of a new book club organized through our local library. The initial book to review was "Water for...

The Biltmore House and Garden Tour. I had the opportunity several weeks ago to tour this special place, which is outside Asheville. I've included some notes and photos gathered during my visit to the Biltmore Estate.

Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson recently wrote a book called Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous...

Satire (Noun): the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in...

President Donald Trump renewed his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell

Misinformation is the inadvertent spread of information, whereas disinformation is intentionally designed to mislead, fact from fiction.

Most people stubbornly hold onto their own political views, these are rarely subject to change. Therefore, don't talk politics with anyone.

As someone who retired several years ago, I am grateful to have time to enjoy life and explore new things. About one week ago, I decided...

Has the Ship Sailed in Ukraine?

At the conference on Friday, February 14 (Munich, Germany), Vice President J.D. Vance launched what  The Guardian’s  Patrick Wintour...

In this latest post, Walkin' Willie and I hike around while discussing the ICE raids, the Proud Boys, the plane crash in Washington, and...

Guests Behaving Badly. A short article illustrates how some guests don't behave as you expect them to.

Some would argue that this Saturday and Sunday, January 18 and 19th, are the best weekends for NFL football of the year. There are four...

This past fall, I enrolled in a ten-week class at the Centre Club in Libertyville called “Move it and Lose it.” Weighing about 232 pounds...