Last year I became interested in the Tour de France. Don't know why. Never was before. Just looked like a bunch of skinny guys riding around with bedpans on their heads. I think it was because I had a brand new 50" plasma-HD-TV, and the scenery caught me immediately; then the drama. Can you believe it? There's actually drama there. Who'd a thunk it? And the scenery...did I mention the scenery? I just kept saying to myself, "Man, Betsy and I gotta ride some of these roads." Okay, so where's Rod Serling when you need him? There should be spooky music and Rod in the background saying, "Do not adjust your sets..." All of a sudden, here I am moving to France on an implementation project to install our Oracle system in our French operation. It doesn't get much better than that.
While I have very high expectations about this year, especially since Betsy (2009 Kawasaki Voyager) is shipping for France in the next couple of days. I also, as is to be expected, have some level of trepidation. I love new roads, and new people, and old history. So, what's to be worried about? Well...there's this language thingy. Steve Martin once said to Johnny Carson after they'd both recently returned from a French vacation, "Man, they got a word for everything." They do. And I probably don't know it. But, I'm trying. I've been working hard and heavy on Rosetta Stone for a couple of months and have made some progress. And it'll get better. (I am, at this point, leaving out the rant about the idiot in IT who totally wiped my disc of Rosetta Stone and a bunch of other stuff after indicating to me I'd only have to "reset my mail and Oracle connections." He wasn't lying...he was just being WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) But, like the gall stone, this, too, shall pass.
Anyway, it all starts tomorrow. All I have to do it get on the plane, suffer through nine (that's 9) hours of flight, and four hour layover in Paris, and I'll be in Nantes. Where's Nantes, the geographically-challenged among you ask? It's the big red star on the map below.
(Click on picture to enlarge)So...here we go.
Outside looking in
Got up this morning and grabbed the complimentary newspaper in the front lobby of the hotel. There has been a lot of talk in America about the media distorting, misinforming, spinning, and exaggerating. I have to agree.
Today's Wall Street Journal Money & Investing page: "Blue Chips Fall 100.90, In the Worst Skid of 2010."
Wow! Bad news! Wait. Today is only the 16th day of 2010. Should we, perhaps, give it a little more time?
Bon Voyage! That and oooh-la-la are the only French words I know. They and Charades got Donna and I around over there twice. Had lots of fun and got lots of laughs.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are going. Always enjoy your Blogs.
Leonard and Donna
Do they actually serve French fries in France? Hope there's a good movie showing on the plane! We'll follow you! Ron & Donna
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to all your tales!
ReplyDeleteL&D - After I said "oooh-la-la" she said, "Bon Voyage!" Didn't work at all.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're near the water! Can't wait to hear more... let me know when you're ready for me. HA! lol ;)
ReplyDeleteYou must be very busy. No blog comments since you arrived.
ReplyDeleteGeiger: Paris and the surrounding area will never be the same. Remember: no back alleys. However, if you can get that hog to Lake Como, drop me a line and I'll give you the places you should see.
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