Back in Paris!

I went to dinner at an Italian place and sat near an open door. Lots of people passed by. Then a young lady dressed in all white walked up. I saw her looking at me eating my pizza. Then she smiled, mouthed "Bon appetite!", and continued walking by. This does not happen in the US.

Last night I ate in a crepes place. The owner came out (I was the only one there). He poured a Kir Bretonne (kir with hard cider) and joined me at my table to chat. His English was not good; neither was my French. But he managed to talk about life, his restaurant, his plans for a different business, and his wife. I was in an Arabic part of Paris. His wife was born elsewhere, but had forgotten Arabic. Her English was not as good as his, but adequate for me to get food. A charming couple. This does not happen in the US.

Back in the USA!

Back for a few weeks for doctoring, dentisting, and a taste of Bridgewater (ick!). Things are going on. Apartment is leased, hopefully car is in the works. Bledina win seems likely. Team will come to Paris in July to work on jobs there. Changing times!

E was in Paris with me to look at apartments. She seemed to enjoy it this time. The apartment is in a good spot, close to train, parking, open-air markets, close to Monoprix, over a boulangerie, close to work. It is also nice, with built-ins, high ceilings, a small balcony, and nice furnishings.

We did a little sight-seeing within and outside Paris. Here are a couple of pictures.


A piece of Versailles

Frieze at Versailles

Past and present at Versailles

We have vacation plans in place:

• 1-8-July at Chincoteague
• 28-Aug a week in Banyuls sur Mer
• a week sometime in September in Malta.

Also a week in the Netherlands for a conference.

Next trip - back to France

I have to go back to France soon, to receive and guide the team when it gets to Palaiseau. This is getting very tiresome! Should be able to look for an apartment this time.

That went fast!

The trip to Ireland went slowly for the first two days, then it was over in a flash! Lots of driving on narrow roads (it always seems like too much, but how else do we see the things we want to see?) Green, wet, rocky, lots of guys with round heads, stink of peat smoke, wild places. We needed to climb and hike more. If I go back I want to climb the mountains in Connemara (my favorite, along with some other places like the Cliffs of Moher).

Cliffs of Moher 

Sunset along the way 

Down! 

Ireland Ho

We're off for Ireland 2nite! Let's go see Heather.

Pickle "Scraf" Day

Some of my faves 

Met Pickle in the city yesterday. Pickle, E, and I had a terrific day, long walk, flea market, street fair, lunch at Mamoun's, Washington Square Park, and more.


Hats galore at the street fair! 

We met to see her (hadn't in a while), and for her to get some scarves from France. I bought them in the Puce (flea market in Paris Saint Ouen). I gave her 5; she wanted them all!


Busker flies over Pickle in Washington Square Park 

Back from der Schweiz and France

Well, the latest project is very political. I'm still figuring out who is on first. The French, I am told, are very particular about how people talk to them. Currently a minor tempest in a teapot about being reminded that things are different than they had previously agreed to. Seems to be toning down, though.

The French team has been good to me. They are very supportive. They need leadership and they are willing to support it. They are providing everything E and I will need during our stay: apartment, car, cell phones, internet access, etc. Too bad I am not appreciated in the main office like this...

First night pretty good, I was able to stay up long enough.

Latest trip

Off to Switzerland next week, then back to Paris for a week with SpectraLIMS. Sophie will come over for an afternoon to discuss the strain database. I need to show the work on forensic genotyping to Stephane Terrier.

It looks like moving over there will be possible. The money issues are settled between us and SpectraLIMS. My concerns have not even been discussed... Par for the course! Still and all, it should be fun.

Lauren

Pickle's birthday is Monday 7-March. On Sunday we will meet her in New York to have lunch. She is ready to try out an Indian restaurant that her friend Jon has tried. Dan and Popo will come with us. Too bad H can't come.

Heather

Heather is in Ireland for the semester. She is visiting all the local sights. She lives in a very nice dorm. She is one of the few that can cook (me so proud!) We will visit her toward the end of March. Dan will also come with us. We'll rent a car and do a circular tour of southwest Ireland, then do day trips toward the northern and western coasts.

Lonesome

Lonesome today! E is in Chincoteague, getting materials in place for Frank to fix some structural damage and do flooring. It sucks to come home from a long time in France and not have anyone home... I'll survive, though. Next week I go back for 2 weeks. I wish things would get settled at work so I know what will happen.

E and I should end up in France for a year or better. Existing accounts, help for SpectraLIMS, OMYA, and fixing new screw-ups should provide something to pass the time!

Dan, Heather, Lauren, and Jon - 28th anniversary 

28 years

Jim and E - 28th anniversary 

Catching up

There are a lots of things I have been thinking about over the years. Up until now they have been collected in a series of documents. Perhaps they belong here in a more "permanent" place.

• What is life in America like?
• How much New Jersey sucks.
• How does age discrimination happen?
• Why are many people stupid?
• Why do we have garlic dreams?
• Why do Americans seek vanilla, life-denying places to live?
• Is the grass greener elsewhere, or just different?
• Why can we not do research as a job?
• Where do the differences in our children come from?

I have a series of document that I'll place here. They are in a state of development.