Oy, I haven't updated this in 3 weeks? Ouch, sorry guys. You know how it goes: life takes over, travels whisk me somewhere only to return me a jetlagged heap of tiredness, etc. SO, let's recap.
Two weeks ago I went back to Chicago for a wonderful week at home. It started off with Andersonville's Midsommarfest with Josh, a sort of chill Pre-Pride festival with bands and cute shops and Miller beer and lesbians. After that, a few days at the office to earn my keep. Although in that case it was also very nice because in Paris I tend to work (or at least be tethered to my BlackBerry) until midnight, since the US offices are active until then, whereas in the US, at 5PM I'm outta there! I also had a few beers with Scott and Ryan at the wonderful Castaways on North Avenue Beach and, as usual, we couldn't stop gawking at all the hot boys running or rollerblading along the lakefront. The second weekend was a nice bonus, as I was supposed to be on my way back to Paris, but an unscheduled meeting in Chicago on Monday had me change my flight.
Not too many photos from Chicago, but I couldn't not post the giant vagina-esque blow-up thingie...
The flight back to Paris was a bit rough, as I came in on Tuesday morning only to go straight to work. And since I just can't sleep on planes, t'was tough to stay awake, especially around that 3PM time... Good news was I didn't have any meetings or anything that really required brain power. But still, staying awake was kinda torture all day until I could finally, pretty much, pass out as soon as I had crawled home.
Last weekend was family time. On Saturday I went to the Champagne region to see my aunt and her husband. They bought an old water mill that's the coolest shit ever. The property spans several mini-islands created by the diversion canal that was built to get water to the mill. They are now responsible for all those valves and bridges and all sorts of fun things for an geek like me to play with. Best part is, the river there is the Seine, which is kinda fun in a dorky way - though obviously it's kinda small so far upstream from Paris. We also went out for a ride with my Aunt's husband's sporty car (375 h.p. compressor engine!) and drove way, wayyy too fast down small country roads. The kind of acceleration that makes the blood rush to your brain - awesome! On a thankfully unrelated note, I also took the opportunity to buy a couple of cases of Champagne, which is cheaper than water there...
Of course, this means I missed Saturday's Paris' Pride on top of missing Chicago's. Dammit! Pride in Chicago is so fun: drinking with your friends on the street, randomly running into dozens of people you know, getting sunburned, bar-hopping. Le Siiigh! I need to stop this transatlantic life BS.
Now I'am all caught up. I can resume normal activities, and so can you...
Two weeks ago I went back to Chicago for a wonderful week at home. It started off with Andersonville's Midsommarfest with Josh, a sort of chill Pre-Pride festival with bands and cute shops and Miller beer and lesbians. After that, a few days at the office to earn my keep. Although in that case it was also very nice because in Paris I tend to work (or at least be tethered to my BlackBerry) until midnight, since the US offices are active until then, whereas in the US, at 5PM I'm outta there! I also had a few beers with Scott and Ryan at the wonderful Castaways on North Avenue Beach and, as usual, we couldn't stop gawking at all the hot boys running or rollerblading along the lakefront. The second weekend was a nice bonus, as I was supposed to be on my way back to Paris, but an unscheduled meeting in Chicago on Monday had me change my flight.
Not too many photos from Chicago, but I couldn't not post the giant vagina-esque blow-up thingie...
The flight back to Paris was a bit rough, as I came in on Tuesday morning only to go straight to work. And since I just can't sleep on planes, t'was tough to stay awake, especially around that 3PM time... Good news was I didn't have any meetings or anything that really required brain power. But still, staying awake was kinda torture all day until I could finally, pretty much, pass out as soon as I had crawled home.
Last weekend was family time. On Saturday I went to the Champagne region to see my aunt and her husband. They bought an old water mill that's the coolest shit ever. The property spans several mini-islands created by the diversion canal that was built to get water to the mill. They are now responsible for all those valves and bridges and all sorts of fun things for an geek like me to play with. Best part is, the river there is the Seine, which is kinda fun in a dorky way - though obviously it's kinda small so far upstream from Paris. We also went out for a ride with my Aunt's husband's sporty car (375 h.p. compressor engine!) and drove way, wayyy too fast down small country roads. The kind of acceleration that makes the blood rush to your brain - awesome! On a thankfully unrelated note, I also took the opportunity to buy a couple of cases of Champagne, which is cheaper than water there...
Of course, this means I missed Saturday's Paris' Pride on top of missing Chicago's. Dammit! Pride in Chicago is so fun: drinking with your friends on the street, randomly running into dozens of people you know, getting sunburned, bar-hopping. Le Siiigh! I need to stop this transatlantic life BS.
Now I'am all caught up. I can resume normal activities, and so can you...
Labels: life
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The big move is 
It's 1:12 in the morning and I'm still working. From home, thank Gawd, but still. My bed looks so inviting now. I am reduced to listening to 
My taxes this year were amazingly simple to do: no condo (yet), no stock sales (I just don't have the energy to deal with the regulation people at the office), limited charitable contributions (although I discovered I gave 75 bucks to the 
My knees have been bothering me a little bit lately so, on advice from the trainer, I tried out a spinning class tonight to get the cardio out of the way. I knew it wasn't going to be easy but I figured "hey, I can do it!" So with my biggest smile I marched in there, picked up a bike, and got going to the sounds of techno/dance music.
Great, it's V-Day...
Had my free personal training session today with the same trainer that did my 
Had my little fitness assessment with a trainer at my gym tonight. At the beginning of the conversation he asked what my goals were. I said lose weight, get fit. For the rest of the hour all we talked about was my Weight Loss Plan. I felt like a contestant on the 
I heard it all over the TV and via my BlackBerry (one of our IT guys emailed the )
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I have finally just submitted my MBA applications, a full 24 hours before the deadline, mind you, which is an achievement for me. Between the interviews, the GMAT, the countless hours spent editing and re-editing essays in which all I do is talk about myself (actually not as enjoyable as one would think), I want two things: watch the Project Runway finale which I Tivo'ed, and pour myself a nice, stiff drink.
Summer's thing is bunnies. Wherever we go, she has to find the bunnies and then, before they have a chance to take over the planet, she valiantly defends us by barking at them. Her bark in those situations is the shrillest sound you've ever heard; it earned her the name "Psycho" at the Humance Society where we picked her up (they clearly need marketing classes).
It's now been three nights that I cannot manage to stay asleep longer than 3 hours, and it's getting old. See, a couple of years ago, I think I damaged a rotator cuff ligament. While it slightly reduced my range of motion with my arm, it didn't hurt so I never went to a doc. Well, now it's back with a vengeance. The pain, once the painkillers wear off, and at the risk of sounding like a big baby, is fucking excruciating. I'm seeing Mr. Orthopaedic Surgeon on Wednesday. Hopefully he'll have some good news.
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