Je Ne Parle Pas Francais.
France was a fun little break where I understood little being said but had fun trying to work it out. Luckily most of the French know how to speak some English and I had an interpreter with me as well in most cases (thanks Julie).
We stayed in the Mairie de Clichy part of France and rode on the Metro (the Subway or the Tube) to get around most parts. The weather was a bit cold but nice for the most part when the sun came out. Nick was nice enough to loan me a real coat and Penny made us a map to follow on a "what to see on your first visit to France and you only have a day" guide. I was the only one whom had not lived in France for a while.
So, Paris is under my belt and some pretty good photos to come later. In a few short days I will be back to regularly schedualed posting and emailing. Still a slave to the internet Cafe's till then.
In case your confused, "Je Ne Parle Pas Francais" means "I do not speak French".
Au Revoir.
Back in London
Just checking in. It's still cold here.
Here are some more strange tails from the UK:
1. On a keyboard here the @ and " symbols are reversed and the L's look funny, like £. (that was supposed to be a joke).
2. A "Billion" is something completely different here (not even counting the conversion); In the USA, a billion dollars means a thousand million. In the UK, a billion pounds is a million, million.
So much for balancing my bank account.
har, har, har.
That'll dew don-key. aiight.
Hey guess what? I'm a friggin Scotsman!
Well I think, but the surname Wade seems to be Scottish and so is the other side of the mom family. I bought me family's clan taurten (plaids) and now have a sense of belonging. (driving everyone nuts talking with a Scottish accent). I do that. It's what I do.
Did some sight seeing today and I would check my email but this internet cafe won't allow me to log into my webmail. bah.
Leaving the Scottish lands today back for London then to France tommorow morning. Hopefully I can get a little rest on the plane ride back. Presentations are going well, it's amazing what all I have learned over the last year. The experience, the oppertunities, the culture...
Did I mention it's cold?
So, yea. It's really cold here in the UK. I didn't really enjoy the two hour train ride south today from London with no real heat. It took everything I had not to fall asleep on the train. Remember me bitching about personal space with the crowds in Sydney? Wrap this around your brain; More people live in London than in the entire country of Australia.
That's a lot of weaving in and out of pedestrian traffic.
Heading North for Scotland tomorrow. Hopefully things get better in way of jet lag and minor inconveniences.
On my way to England
Well, it's official, I have flown completely around the world. On my way here, I stopped and pondered the thought that I was watching Sea Biscuit from my private screen on a plane right over Kabul where the war is being fought.
We flew near Ho CHi Man City and Mt. Everest in India and directly over Moscow in Russia. The world seems a little smaller to me now even though I have yet to visit those places.
London is friggin' cold. Who left the window up? I have managed to go a whole year living in summer weather and now this. yikes.
There was a small amount of sight seeing today but I did manage to take a view from the London Eye. I can't believe it's been since 2000 since I came here just before starting that awesome job (sarcasm intended).
Hopefully a few pictures to come soon.
SeaBiscuit
A great story, a great move, and a great cast. I had heard a lot of things about this movie from all the hype it had recieved when it was released, now I know why.
Layover in Translation
Three hours on a layover in Singapore would be rough at 3am (7am Sydney Time) but not when you scam your way into First Class lounge where they wait on you, Serve you food, Provide Internet access, Beds, Showers, and give a nice relaxing pleasent atmosphere.
Hehehe. Suckers.
Intolerable Cruelty
This move was viewed on an international flight. I must say it was much better than anticipated.
Goodbye Downunder
A last night Opera to kick off the trip; La Traviata, and without the advantage of being able to view the surtitles, I think I have a vauge idea of what was going on.
Very vauge.
Leaving Sydney this time is kind of odd in that it's not odd. I'm packed, I'm heading north on a very long flight west across Asia and Europe to the little island of England. I have an open return ticket to come back to Sydney and I feel great at what I have done here, personally, professionally, and emotionally. I met good people and made great friends. My soul grew here and I found what I was looking for. Now just to decide where to go from here.
In two weeks I am heading back to Oklahoma and we will see how that goes. Feeling a little distant from everyone there.
My friends at Puma made me happy today. Say it with me; "Puma". It's just fun to say. Thanks guys.
Here's a list of the in-flight movies I will be subjected to over the 22 hour flight to London.
That's right, 22 hours. (again with the map, give it a rest already.)
Quote of the Day
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
- Mark Twain
Finding John
Dad is being moved from the hospital to a nursing home next week for rehabilitation, which is probably best considering the last time I saw his house, it was rancid. He can't take care of himself any longer so being somewhere around new people and away from his "dodgy" friends who have leeched off him long enough now, can only be a good thing.
I can't for the life of me begin to understand what brought him to this. It's as if he purposely threw his health in the toilet because he does not want to live any more.
I don't understand the concept of giving up. But then, I am not my father.
In all the issues between us, and there are many, I decided that no matter what he's done in the past, no one should die ashamed about their life. So I am going to try and give him some dignity in the time he has left and save the anger and the questions for after he's gone.
Maybe in the process, my soul can find some redemption as well by not understanding too late and having done nothing about it.
Listning for the Weather
Today was hot. I mean hot. Like, as in the kind of hot where you shut the windows because it just feels like the heater is on outside (and that's at 7:30am before work). Some time around 1pm, the wind shifted, the trees all blew around wildly and a light ocean rain came across the city, cooling everything off. Nice. Enjoying it while I can, As of Sunday, The Summer is officially over for me. (heads to the beach)
It's 7 in Opposite Land!
Today, In Australia, is Feb 10th, which happens to be my little guy's 7th Birthday today! Happy Birthday Nate.
Aspiring writers
You know that book you have wanted to write? The one you know you can make interesting but you don't have the confidence that anyone will want to read it? That book you slave over with the grammatical checking, fact checking, and shopping around for positive feedback?
Paris Hilton is now shopping a book deal so I would say you have no excuse anymore not to make the big step. I'm sure the ghost writers for Paris's book are very, very proud.
Big Fish
Big Fish was a remarkable movie from Tim Burton, who would have guessed he had it in him? It reminded me of my relationship with my father and made me a little sad though.
This after another great movie on the flight back from New Zealand; Lost in Translation by Sophia Coppola. Two great movies that both hit a little close to home lately.
Can't get much lower.
I just realized on the flight back that my recent trip to Christchurch, New Zealand was the lowest point south on the globe I have ever been to date. My first clue was passing by the U.S. Air Force AntArctic Research Center near the AirPort. I thought it might have been my shortest visit to another country as well but I remembered I had a shorter stay on the Atlantic island of Azores (Portugal) as well as a short layover in Germany on rout to Italy in 1992 while in the Air Force.
Lost in Translation
The move was a great look at how two people with something in common but no hope being together can share something in a moment that means the world.
Near the Shire
Flew into Christchurch today. The view was amazing, the flight was so-so, and the weather has been terrific. Still, not a lot of time to play here and I leave again in 24 hours. Seems like a waste to be here and not see some hobbits. I will try and squeeze in a few photos while I am here. (view map)
I don't think my room phone works and my cell phone gets no love from the local service. hmn.
The Rundown / Welcome to the Jungle
A fun little move that you don;t expect much from.
Bouncy halftime surprise
I just love it when things happen like Janet Jackson's boob flying out in front of the entire world during the Superbowl halftime show...
And then, the shame sets in to what Justin Timberlake did. My God man, you just had to top Britney's sluttly kiss, didn't you?
