March 5-6: Venice, Italy
March 12-13: Prague, Czech Republic
March 23-28: Budapest, Hungary (Here I come, Alex!)
May 5-8: Nice, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco
May 14-22: Rome, Naples/Pompei, Florence
With that, I have enough vacation days left to make May 25 my last day. And really, after the Italian holidays, what am I going to do with three days of work from the 23rd to the 25th? In fact, a total of 11 working days in May after I'd handed in my final report in April means I won't be very keen on getting anything done anyway. Speaking of reports, I think there's one due at the end of February, so I better get started on that some time soon.
Monday, January 31, 2005
January Music Review
Don't be fooled by the title. I have no intentions of making this a monthly thing; it just so happens that my first review coincides with the end of January. Subsequent reviews may or may not coincide with the end of subsequent months.
He's My Son - Mark Schultz: Thanks to Ivan Tiu for introducing this fantastic Christian contemporary musician. A wonderful storyteller, terrific songwriter with an amazing voice, Mark explores human experience through his music like no other has done. He's My Son is the real-life story of a young man diagnosed with cancer told from his father's perspective. The father's helplessness and anguish come pouring out through the lyrics, his cries of despair finding resonance with Mark clear voice, which never threatens to overshadow the words and essence of the song. A masterpiece worth listening to over and over again.
七里香 - 周傑倫: We all know Jay for his R&B tunes, whether the theme is based on sports (鬥牛), martial arts (忍者, 雙截棍, 龍拳, 雙刀), Chinese culture (娘子, 上海一九四三, 爺爺泡的茶, 東風破), foreign countries (伊斯坦堡, 愛在西元前, 威廉古堡, 米蘭的小鐵匠, 以父之名), family (外婆), war (最後的戰役, 亂舞春秋, 止戰之殤), and even chess (將軍). This song from his latest album of the same name is an attempt at the poetic realm, though I find it to be more about poetry than being poetic. A beautiful, sweet song nevertheless. You can always count on Jay to provide an exciting alternative to the current HK trend of self-deprecating love songs.
All Kinds of Time - Fountains of Wayne: I first heard this song in a recent episode of Scrubs. A soft, soothing melody combined with simple, surreal lyrics; perfect for easy listening. There ought to be a music video made for this (maybe there already is, I'm not sure). The song revolves around a moment on the football field, a young quarterback at the helm with the game winding down, his family huddled around the TV screen, and everything happening now in slow-motion as it would in a movie for the dramatic effect. The distant, hollow call for the snap; the dull thundering of feet as the defence come in for the blitz. The QB keeps his cool as he glances left and right; he's got all kinds of time. The play is working out perfectly, as he spots the open man downfield, and he knows he has the world at his feet tonight. A heartwarming song that leaves the listener hanging, waiting, anticipating the impending, deafening roar of the crowd as the ball shoots out of the young man's grip, sails smoothly through the air, and drops neatly into the hands of the receiver at full-stride towards the end zone.
一切還好 - 陳奕迅: A brand new song from Eason, still only playing on the radio, tells the story of a man who had been dumped by his girlfriend some time ago. Now she has in turn been dumped by her new boyfriend. Having successfully moved on, he wishes her well and reassures her that everything will be alright. He is the living proof that there is life after a hearbreak; he triumphed over his depression and got over her. Could this be my story as well? Or am I still stuck at the stage of 明年今日?
He's My Son - Mark Schultz: Thanks to Ivan Tiu for introducing this fantastic Christian contemporary musician. A wonderful storyteller, terrific songwriter with an amazing voice, Mark explores human experience through his music like no other has done. He's My Son is the real-life story of a young man diagnosed with cancer told from his father's perspective. The father's helplessness and anguish come pouring out through the lyrics, his cries of despair finding resonance with Mark clear voice, which never threatens to overshadow the words and essence of the song. A masterpiece worth listening to over and over again.
七里香 - 周傑倫: We all know Jay for his R&B tunes, whether the theme is based on sports (鬥牛), martial arts (忍者, 雙截棍, 龍拳, 雙刀), Chinese culture (娘子, 上海一九四三, 爺爺泡的茶, 東風破), foreign countries (伊斯坦堡, 愛在西元前, 威廉古堡, 米蘭的小鐵匠, 以父之名), family (外婆), war (最後的戰役, 亂舞春秋, 止戰之殤), and even chess (將軍). This song from his latest album of the same name is an attempt at the poetic realm, though I find it to be more about poetry than being poetic. A beautiful, sweet song nevertheless. You can always count on Jay to provide an exciting alternative to the current HK trend of self-deprecating love songs.
All Kinds of Time - Fountains of Wayne: I first heard this song in a recent episode of Scrubs. A soft, soothing melody combined with simple, surreal lyrics; perfect for easy listening. There ought to be a music video made for this (maybe there already is, I'm not sure). The song revolves around a moment on the football field, a young quarterback at the helm with the game winding down, his family huddled around the TV screen, and everything happening now in slow-motion as it would in a movie for the dramatic effect. The distant, hollow call for the snap; the dull thundering of feet as the defence come in for the blitz. The QB keeps his cool as he glances left and right; he's got all kinds of time. The play is working out perfectly, as he spots the open man downfield, and he knows he has the world at his feet tonight. A heartwarming song that leaves the listener hanging, waiting, anticipating the impending, deafening roar of the crowd as the ball shoots out of the young man's grip, sails smoothly through the air, and drops neatly into the hands of the receiver at full-stride towards the end zone.
一切還好 - 陳奕迅: A brand new song from Eason, still only playing on the radio, tells the story of a man who had been dumped by his girlfriend some time ago. Now she has in turn been dumped by her new boyfriend. Having successfully moved on, he wishes her well and reassures her that everything will be alright. He is the living proof that there is life after a hearbreak; he triumphed over his depression and got over her. Could this be my story as well? Or am I still stuck at the stage of 明年今日?
Saturday, January 29, 2005
The Power of Music
It's common knowledge that music has the ability to affect one's emotions. A melancholic melody brings tears to one's eyes, while an upbeat piece can lift one's spirits. I found out last night that a little R&B goes particularly well with - you'd never guess - cooking. There I was, in the kitchen, rhythmically peeling a potato to every beat of 我的地盤 by 周傑倫. Thump thump. Peel peel. Movin' those feet, grindin' those hips, and shakin' those bonbons. Okay, okay, too much imagery there.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Multiplying Happiness
Whoever it was who first said, "Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow," must have been a popular fellow. The truth is, though, that one needs not be friends with another in order to spread joy and happiness. A simple nod or smile to a stranger, be it at a coffeeshop, in your office building, on the campus, in a bookstore, or even out on the street, is often suffice to convey goodwill. Let me recount two such instances I recently found myself involved in during my time in London.
Having arrived in Cambridge a bit later than expected on Saturday, Dec 18, I proceeded to get a good night's sleep before heading out to London for the first time in my life with the Kwong family Sunday morning for lunch in Chinatown. The ride down to Greater London took approximately an hour, after which the traffice slowed to a crawl and we inched our way painstakingly westward. Stopped at a light some time within that second hour in the car, I glanced left out the window to find myself looking right in the eyes of a black bus driver in the driver's seat of, well, a double-decker bus. I greeted him with a big smile - really more like a grin, and some might even say an idiotic one at that, but that's besides the point - and a friendly wave. Rather than picking up the phone to report a harassment-on-the-job case, or just to report a nutcase, he flashed his own set of pearly whites in an entirely non-menacing way and waved back. That certainly brightened up my day in traffic, and I'm sure I did the same for him, especially considering he has to spend a lot more time on those dreadfully crowded streets of London than I do.
The second encounter with a stranger happened a week later on Boxing Day, when I had to take the bus down from Cambridge to London for my trip up to Manchester because the bloody trains shut down for two days over Christmas. So having taken the National Express down to Victoria station, I ducked inside the Starbucks at the corner to warm myself up with a Mocha. I picked out a stool by the window, set down my luggages, and turned around to survey the scene in the smallish café. It was a hectic Sunday, more customers than seats to go around. I spotted a Chinese lady sitting alone at a table, saw a piece of luggage by her feet, and immediately felt compelled to walk over and greet her. As a fellow traveller, I recognize how heart-warming it must be to meet a countryman in the chilly Christmas weather of a foreign land far from home. So I finished my coffee, hopped off my stool, strode over to her table, and struck up a conversation. Turned out she had just visited Switzerland herself. We spoke for a few minutes before I bid her farewell, lugged my suitcase out the door and into the cold toward the bus station, and as I turned back we waved a final goodbye.
The lesson in these anecdotes is, despite the horror and evil we hear all the time on the news, people are still generally nice, kind folks. So the next time you see an unfamiliar face, don't be afraid to show a little friendliness.
Having arrived in Cambridge a bit later than expected on Saturday, Dec 18, I proceeded to get a good night's sleep before heading out to London for the first time in my life with the Kwong family Sunday morning for lunch in Chinatown. The ride down to Greater London took approximately an hour, after which the traffice slowed to a crawl and we inched our way painstakingly westward. Stopped at a light some time within that second hour in the car, I glanced left out the window to find myself looking right in the eyes of a black bus driver in the driver's seat of, well, a double-decker bus. I greeted him with a big smile - really more like a grin, and some might even say an idiotic one at that, but that's besides the point - and a friendly wave. Rather than picking up the phone to report a harassment-on-the-job case, or just to report a nutcase, he flashed his own set of pearly whites in an entirely non-menacing way and waved back. That certainly brightened up my day in traffic, and I'm sure I did the same for him, especially considering he has to spend a lot more time on those dreadfully crowded streets of London than I do.
The second encounter with a stranger happened a week later on Boxing Day, when I had to take the bus down from Cambridge to London for my trip up to Manchester because the bloody trains shut down for two days over Christmas. So having taken the National Express down to Victoria station, I ducked inside the Starbucks at the corner to warm myself up with a Mocha. I picked out a stool by the window, set down my luggages, and turned around to survey the scene in the smallish café. It was a hectic Sunday, more customers than seats to go around. I spotted a Chinese lady sitting alone at a table, saw a piece of luggage by her feet, and immediately felt compelled to walk over and greet her. As a fellow traveller, I recognize how heart-warming it must be to meet a countryman in the chilly Christmas weather of a foreign land far from home. So I finished my coffee, hopped off my stool, strode over to her table, and struck up a conversation. Turned out she had just visited Switzerland herself. We spoke for a few minutes before I bid her farewell, lugged my suitcase out the door and into the cold toward the bus station, and as I turned back we waved a final goodbye.
The lesson in these anecdotes is, despite the horror and evil we hear all the time on the news, people are still generally nice, kind folks. So the next time you see an unfamiliar face, don't be afraid to show a little friendliness.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Simple Pleasures
A man who takes delight in the small happenings in life will find life much easier to bear. I haven't had a giddy moment for too long until now. And twice in one day too! First my coworker downloaded Eason's new song 一切還好 for me, then I made the most beautiful fried eggs in all my time in Switzerland. I was so happy with them I had to take a picture. They will soon feature in my albums here.
不緊要 當天放棄我的是妳
抑鬱我有過 但我戰勝了那滋味
不緊要 當天放棄我的是妳
抑鬱我有過 但我戰勝了那滋味
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Quadruple Still On for Jose's Men...
... and snow still falling here in Baden.
As I said yesterday, falling behind early would be fatal. And so it proved with United tonight. Frank Lampard's 29th-minute marker put Chelsea up and challenged United to respond with two of their own. Giggsy's equalizer minutes after the hour gave us hope momentarily, but Fergie's unbeaten record in domestic cup semi's had to fall some time. Damien Duff's free-kick, more freakish than Ronaldinho's flighted goal on David Seaman and from a worse position, ensured that Chelsea will go on to face Liverpool, who beat Watford last night, in next month's final. United, meanwhile, must regroup for Saturday's FA Cup 4th round draw with Middlesbrough. Getting knocked out of two cup competitions within the span of four days will most certainly see heads roll.
As I said yesterday, falling behind early would be fatal. And so it proved with United tonight. Frank Lampard's 29th-minute marker put Chelsea up and challenged United to respond with two of their own. Giggsy's equalizer minutes after the hour gave us hope momentarily, but Fergie's unbeaten record in domestic cup semi's had to fall some time. Damien Duff's free-kick, more freakish than Ronaldinho's flighted goal on David Seaman and from a worse position, ensured that Chelsea will go on to face Liverpool, who beat Watford last night, in next month's final. United, meanwhile, must regroup for Saturday's FA Cup 4th round draw with Middlesbrough. Getting knocked out of two cup competitions within the span of four days will most certainly see heads roll.
Three Consecutive Days of Snow
It's the sort of snow you'd see in a foreign film set in Vienna or Prague. Like clumps of cotton, blanketing the sky, floating, dancing on the wind. It's the sort of snow that children would stick out their tongues at trying to catch, only to find the fluffs would rather stick to their expectant faces.
Again and again, I return to the same questions: Where did it all go wrong? What could I have done differently? What could I have done at all? When did things suddenly get so bad that you decided to throw away something we had held dear for two years? How did I miss all the warning signs? What were the warning signs? I continue grasping at thin air, trying to pluck strands of logic out of a jumbled mind. Two months now, and not a single tear shed. I dread the day I arrive at home. We will have been apart for a full year, yet the actual avoidance, the actual not-seeing-eye-to-eye, the real gut-wrenching flashbacks of memories prompted by every familiar sound, movement, and setting, will only be just beginning. What then? Must I retreat to a mutually-exclusive circle of friends? Shall I confront and demand an explanation? Will I simply live in denial, pretending the last two years had been somebody else's life? You majored psychology; you tell me whether I'm mentally stable.
Again and again, I return to the same questions: Where did it all go wrong? What could I have done differently? What could I have done at all? When did things suddenly get so bad that you decided to throw away something we had held dear for two years? How did I miss all the warning signs? What were the warning signs? I continue grasping at thin air, trying to pluck strands of logic out of a jumbled mind. Two months now, and not a single tear shed. I dread the day I arrive at home. We will have been apart for a full year, yet the actual avoidance, the actual not-seeing-eye-to-eye, the real gut-wrenching flashbacks of memories prompted by every familiar sound, movement, and setting, will only be just beginning. What then? Must I retreat to a mutually-exclusive circle of friends? Shall I confront and demand an explanation? Will I simply live in denial, pretending the last two years had been somebody else's life? You majored psychology; you tell me whether I'm mentally stable.
Plans for the Summer
May 27: Last day of work
May 28 - June 4: Switzerland
June 5: Berlin
June 6 - 13: Paris
June 14 - 21: Toronto/Waterloo
June 22 - Sept: Lots of football, working out, programming, summer course, reviewing 3rd year material, preparing for 4th year project, perhaps a trip down to Vancouver, and generally anything to help me get away from the harsh realities of a new life
Only four months of work remain. Still feels like just yesterday that my friends saw me off at the airport. How time has flown and how things have changed, for better or for worse. In any case, I will not regret my decisions, and I will not ask to turn back the clock. Paul said, "give thanks in all circumstances." Am I ready to be truly thankful for what happened? No. Will I be someday? I believe so. When will that be? I honestly have no idea. All I can ask is for you, my friend, to be there and rejoice with me when it finally arrives.
May 28 - June 4: Switzerland
June 5: Berlin
June 6 - 13: Paris
June 14 - 21: Toronto/Waterloo
June 22 - Sept: Lots of football, working out, programming, summer course, reviewing 3rd year material, preparing for 4th year project, perhaps a trip down to Vancouver, and generally anything to help me get away from the harsh realities of a new life
Only four months of work remain. Still feels like just yesterday that my friends saw me off at the airport. How time has flown and how things have changed, for better or for worse. In any case, I will not regret my decisions, and I will not ask to turn back the clock. Paul said, "give thanks in all circumstances." Am I ready to be truly thankful for what happened? No. Will I be someday? I believe so. When will that be? I honestly have no idea. All I can ask is for you, my friend, to be there and rejoice with me when it finally arrives.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Empathy
Skimmed through an old friend's blog at Xanga today. Not that we don't keep in touch, but it's difficult to be kept up-to-date when someone goes away for studies. Reading about what he went through a year ago reminded me at some places of myself and my current ordeals. He's moved on with his life of course, while I'm just beginning this particular chapter of mine.
I've always believed that part of the reason God allows each of us to experience pain and losses is for us to better understand each other's pain and losses. Reading my friend's blog, there was an instant connection between his words and my emotions. We always hear people say, "I can imagine how that must feel," when trying to comfort those in distress. But really, how close can one's imagination come to the real thing? Only by personal experience can one relate to another's pain.
I've always believed that part of the reason God allows each of us to experience pain and losses is for us to better understand each other's pain and losses. Reading my friend's blog, there was an instant connection between his words and my emotions. We always hear people say, "I can imagine how that must feel," when trying to comfort those in distress. But really, how close can one's imagination come to the real thing? Only by personal experience can one relate to another's pain.
Darkness Reigns
Went down to Coop after work to shop for a replacement bulb, since the one that lights most of my room sizzled and fizzled on me last night. Nearly smacked myself on the head in public when I realized I had NO idea whatsoever what I actually need, i.e. what wattage or even size of lightbulb I should be getting. So now I'm back in my room, sitting in the dark, getting sleepier by the minute.
Snowed for the second straight day. It's terrific weather really, but I'm just not in the mood to enjoy it. Thought I was starting to feel better after seven weeks, turns out I was wrong.
Books I read recently:
Prey - Michael Crichton: The science-fiction thriller from this author of Jurassic Park, Sphere, and other works. This particular book is again based on the "secret-experiment-gone-wrong-and-cover-up-conspiracy" plot, only this time we replace dinosaur genes with nanoparticles. Comes with the usual twists and turns, but the book in general is found wanting. I personally preferred Airframe and Sphere, but then again I did finish all 364 pages of this book in the span of four days, so it's definitely recommended, especially for those interested in nanotechnology.
Mostly Harmless - Douglas Adams: The final book in the Trilogy of Five of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Adams is as funny as ever in this final installment as he puts an end to the series for good. I know of no author - Chinese, English, or any other language - more skilled at wordplay than Adams. His incredible level of creativity and imagination transforms mere words into pieces of art. Fantastic book for anyone needing a good laugh, but not recommended for those with an inadequate English vocabulary. By the way, the Answer is 42. (For those who can't get enough of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, here's a good link for you!)
PS, I Love You - Cecelia Ahern: Reading this book was like watching a chick flick. Why? Because if this book was made into a movie, it would be a chick flick. Why did I ever pick up this book then? Simple - I needed a third book for the 3 for £10 promotion at the bookstore. Honestly, two chapters into the book and I found myself repulsed by the womanly thoughts. Definitely a change from the books I normally enjoy. Not a bad read though. I thought the emotional rollercoaster experience was well-depicted. But hey, I'm a guy, what do I know right? My lady friends might be interested, but guys should probably stay away from this. (PS, I just found out... Cecelia was only 21 when she wrote this (her first) book, which was published Feb 2004. Kudos to this young writer!)
Snowed for the second straight day. It's terrific weather really, but I'm just not in the mood to enjoy it. Thought I was starting to feel better after seven weeks, turns out I was wrong.
Books I read recently:
Prey - Michael Crichton: The science-fiction thriller from this author of Jurassic Park, Sphere, and other works. This particular book is again based on the "secret-experiment-gone-wrong-and-cover-up-conspiracy" plot, only this time we replace dinosaur genes with nanoparticles. Comes with the usual twists and turns, but the book in general is found wanting. I personally preferred Airframe and Sphere, but then again I did finish all 364 pages of this book in the span of four days, so it's definitely recommended, especially for those interested in nanotechnology.
Mostly Harmless - Douglas Adams: The final book in the Trilogy of Five of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Adams is as funny as ever in this final installment as he puts an end to the series for good. I know of no author - Chinese, English, or any other language - more skilled at wordplay than Adams. His incredible level of creativity and imagination transforms mere words into pieces of art. Fantastic book for anyone needing a good laugh, but not recommended for those with an inadequate English vocabulary. By the way, the Answer is 42. (For those who can't get enough of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, here's a good link for you!)
PS, I Love You - Cecelia Ahern: Reading this book was like watching a chick flick. Why? Because if this book was made into a movie, it would be a chick flick. Why did I ever pick up this book then? Simple - I needed a third book for the 3 for £10 promotion at the bookstore. Honestly, two chapters into the book and I found myself repulsed by the womanly thoughts. Definitely a change from the books I normally enjoy. Not a bad read though. I thought the emotional rollercoaster experience was well-depicted. But hey, I'm a guy, what do I know right? My lady friends might be interested, but guys should probably stay away from this. (PS, I just found out... Cecelia was only 21 when she wrote this (her first) book, which was published Feb 2004. Kudos to this young writer!)
Carling Cup Semi-final
Tomorrow night will see Chelsea visit Old Trafford for the second leg of their League Cup semi-final against Man United. Having drawn 0-0 at Stamford Bridge, frankly, I don't fancy United's chances. For those who don't understand how two-legged rounds work in football (i.e. those of you pampered by best-of-seven series in North America), the scores are aggregated over the two matches. First tie-breaker is away-goals; if the two teams are tied on aggregate after 90 minutes of the second leg, the team with more away-goals goes through. If they have an equal number of away-goals, extra-time (I believe the fashion nowadays is Silver Goal extra-time) is played. If things are not settled after 30 minutes of extra-time, we go to penalties.
In the context of tomorrow's match, United need a win to go through. A scoring draw or United loss will see Chelsea through, while a second scoreless draw will take us to extra-time and possibly penalties. Hence why I don't fancy United, unless they field a near-full-strength side. Play the likes of Bellion, Kleberson, Djemba-Djemba and Fortune, and it's a recipe for disaster against a Chelsea squad with depth matched only by their owner's pocket. If Chelsea scores early, it will be all over for us. Chelsea have kept cleansheets in 18 of 24 league matches this season, and have allowed 2 goals only twice. They have been held off the scoresheets only three times this league season, plus once in the League Cup and once in the Champions League. Not to be a pessimist, but the best I'm hoping for is another scoreless draw.
In the context of tomorrow's match, United need a win to go through. A scoring draw or United loss will see Chelsea through, while a second scoreless draw will take us to extra-time and possibly penalties. Hence why I don't fancy United, unless they field a near-full-strength side. Play the likes of Bellion, Kleberson, Djemba-Djemba and Fortune, and it's a recipe for disaster against a Chelsea squad with depth matched only by their owner's pocket. If Chelsea scores early, it will be all over for us. Chelsea have kept cleansheets in 18 of 24 league matches this season, and have allowed 2 goals only twice. They have been held off the scoresheets only three times this league season, plus once in the League Cup and once in the Champions League. Not to be a pessimist, but the best I'm hoping for is another scoreless draw.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Songs of the Moment
In no particular order:
One Last Cry - Brian McKnight
6, 8, 12 - Brian McKnight
Still Believe in Love - Jacksoul
Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx
He's My Son - Mark Schultz
Last Christmas - George Michael
Good Life - Francis Dunnery
明年今日 - 陈奕迅
想哭 - 陈奕迅
今年没圣诞 - 许志安
失眠都要睡 - 许志安
折磨 - 许志安
Love Song - Five For Fighting
Alright - Five For Fighting
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon
One Last Cry - Brian McKnight
6, 8, 12 - Brian McKnight
Still Believe in Love - Jacksoul
Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx
He's My Son - Mark Schultz
Last Christmas - George Michael
Good Life - Francis Dunnery
明年今日 - 陈奕迅
想哭 - 陈奕迅
今年没圣诞 - 许志安
失眠都要睡 - 许志安
折磨 - 许志安
Love Song - Five For Fighting
Alright - Five For Fighting
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon
Any Snow Day in Switzerland is a Good Day
Finally a hint of winter around here. Must say it's been long overdue. I haven't been so happy to see snow first thing in the morning for years now. Living in Calgary does that to you.
Don't have many trips planned at the moment. Just the one mid-March to Prague, Czech Republic. Paris will likely have to wait till my parents arrive late May, but I should be able to visit Rome, Venice, and Monaco between now and then. Speaking of Monaco, I looked up prices for a ticket to see the Formula 1 race at Monte Carlo on May 22. Turns out they cost at the very least $600USD each.
More pictures to come at my website: Simon & Garfunkel concert, Berlin, the U.K., and more. Stay tuned.
Don't have many trips planned at the moment. Just the one mid-March to Prague, Czech Republic. Paris will likely have to wait till my parents arrive late May, but I should be able to visit Rome, Venice, and Monaco between now and then. Speaking of Monaco, I looked up prices for a ticket to see the Formula 1 race at Monte Carlo on May 22. Turns out they cost at the very least $600USD each.
More pictures to come at my website: Simon & Garfunkel concert, Berlin, the U.K., and more. Stay tuned.
First Post
It's official. I am a sinner. I have succumbed to the (possibly yesterday) fad of Blogging. I feel so dirty. I always thought myself one of the holdouts when seemingly any 40-year-old computer-illiterate housewife who has no social life outside of her family can set up her own blog. Not anymore.
Come to think of it though, I wrote my thoughts and feelings on my own webpage years ago, back when I was in high school (ahh, the good old days of dial-up internet and Geocities "neighbourhoods"). It just wasn't called "Blogs" back then, and it was a pain to set up and organize and even to post new entries. Everything was done in HTML code in Notepad. That's why I did it I guess, because it was something that took a little knowledge, a little know-how, to do. No setup wizard, no pretty designer templates to choose from, no integrated forms to easily write up a column and fire it up with the click on a button. It was all technical back then, and I am proud of what I was able to put together with Notepad of all things.
Well, enough of that. This Blog is going to be a place for me to rant and rave and scream and sulk when the mood strikes me and there's nobody to listen on Messenger. It will range from my personal life to sports to religion, probably not politics, but yes if it involves religion, and whatever music, movie, or books I happen to recommend. I'm under the impression that readers can respond to my posts with their own comments, so you are strongly encouraged to do so.
Back to work for the moment. Tschüss!
Come to think of it though, I wrote my thoughts and feelings on my own webpage years ago, back when I was in high school (ahh, the good old days of dial-up internet and Geocities "neighbourhoods"). It just wasn't called "Blogs" back then, and it was a pain to set up and organize and even to post new entries. Everything was done in HTML code in Notepad. That's why I did it I guess, because it was something that took a little knowledge, a little know-how, to do. No setup wizard, no pretty designer templates to choose from, no integrated forms to easily write up a column and fire it up with the click on a button. It was all technical back then, and I am proud of what I was able to put together with Notepad of all things.
Well, enough of that. This Blog is going to be a place for me to rant and rave and scream and sulk when the mood strikes me and there's nobody to listen on Messenger. It will range from my personal life to sports to religion, probably not politics, but yes if it involves religion, and whatever music, movie, or books I happen to recommend. I'm under the impression that readers can respond to my posts with their own comments, so you are strongly encouraged to do so.
Back to work for the moment. Tschüss!
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