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PARIS BLOG

04/10/06	We'll I guess the fact that I am writing this from the UK kinda confirms the fact that my Paris expedition has finally come to an end. I must admit that it was all rather a lot of fun and there are some really nice people out there is you take a quick look. I remember coming here in April last year. Sitting in the departures lounge at Birmingham international having just bought a copy of 'Year in the Merde' a biography about an Englishman in Paris. I started reading that book as my flight was delayed. At the time I remember thinking that his life seemed a little too full to be real in any sense - but that was before I experienced Paris. It is a tiny city divided by very visible boundries of culture and style. You can walk from one end to the other in perhaps 5 hours and see a lifetime of art, music, architecture, fun and nonsense. Its bizzare because almost everyone I know has been here before but very few people actually liked it (including me). Its easy to fall into the tourist trap and end up looking at thousands of paintings and then buy an overpriced coffee on the Champs Elyeese from a surly waitor. Instead just sit in one of Paris's little gardens for a few hours and you eventually begin to see the real paris looking back.
29/09/06	So today I drove my car from Paris to Oxford. It didn't seem any hassle at all. 3 Hours in France and 3 in the UK. Its really weird arriving at my place in the UK after having left Paris on the same day. Its so much more calm in the Cotswolds! Today I unpacked my stuff and said hello to my cat (See Right) before venturing forth into the deepest countryside to watch a local band play some folk. It was kinda cool to be back in this atmosphere and everyone was really nice.
23/09/06	Today I ventured forth into Paris for a bit of a wonder about (it was sunny today). I first went to meet Julian for a quick beer but the poor guy is fighting some nasty stomach thing so I let him be for fear of infection. I crossed the Seine on this new foot bridge (See Right) that was erected in just one day - it looks a little like the Millenium bridge in London. I had to smile as I stood in the centre as the bridge was definitely swaying quite a lot. I then continued through Bercy (Of which I have always had a love hate relationship with) and finally to Rue Montgallet. This road is where all the geeks go to buy computer hardware. I got a wireless adapter for my computer. My parents are just putting wireless into their house and I want to be the first to monopolise the bandwidth during my 3 month restation.
17/09/06	Despite being one of my last remaining weekends in Paris I am doing a good job of not going completely bonkers. Friday night I met with some friends in and English pub. Last night I met with Julian and we went to a market by the Seine that specialises in produce from the South. Had some lovely wine from Condom and chewed on some lovely sausages from somewhere near Bordeaux. The lovely proprietor suggested that I 'Jump into the Seine' in order to 'Wake up a bit'. Not sure if this hostility was because I am English or perhaps because I am a Parisiner (or both!). Julian tried his first snail - he coudn't describe the taste but I can - its like licking an old flowerpot.
14/09/06	Tonight I stay in my flat. Its raining very hard and the thunder is actually making my apartment shake. I'm watching a spooky film which I thought was called 'Trouble with the Young' but is in fact called 'Hide and Seek'. It got Robert De Niro and some really spooky looking young girl in it. Its the usual 'RED RUM' type scenes from the Shining (Must watch that again). Never before has 02:06 been so disturbing! Is this the most bizzare webspace in the world?
12/09/06	Last night was peaceful as we sat on Pont Des Artes (See Right) and drunk some wine and beer. Whats nice about this bridge is that your sitting in the middle of the Seine with all the lights around and the boats steaming beneath you. Some drunken dude stole someones bongo drum and started playing - not bad rhythm either for a drunk guy. Left work early today with a headache. Need an early night maybe?
10/09/06	This week at work passes slowly - my focus now is on my return to the UK and subsequent departure to Canada (hopefully). On Saturday I took myself and my camera around Paris to photograph Lions (See Right). This turned into a bit of a marathon and I was quite happy to meet Julian in an English pub to watch the footy and take a beer. After this I met with a lovely Peruvian for some Sushi. We were discussing pets. In Peru a cat is often called 'chipi' and a dog is 'pepe'. Claudia used to have a pet chicken called 'peepee' until her mother served it up for dinner one day.
05/09/06	Tax seems to be the order of this week. The French seem quite happy not to bother me with such piffling detail as tax. Despite submitting my return I still have nothing to show for all my efforts. My UK tax advisor on the other hand had laboured night and day to calculate my UK liability. Apparantly it looks likely that the Queen owes me about 48p. Taking it easy this week. Think I might watch another DVD tonight - perhaps Lords of War if my local video shop can run to that. My French teacher advises me that I have lost weight - she also gave me her business card with email and mobile number. Perhaps she's coming on to me? Who knows this is France afterall. Can you do a 'practical' in a French lesson? Hoping I can take most of October off work and take my Bimmer for a little excursion around Europe (starting in Plymouth of course!) before I try and sell it.
02/09/06	Well September is the last month I shall spend in Paris before moving back to the UK and - I guess - finally to Canada for a year or so. August has been a fairly intense - not to mention wet - month. This weekend I took Friday off to go see Fountainbleau (See right). Jolly nice scenary! On Saturday I went to Rue Montagallet which is where all the techy geeky computer shops are. I went looking for a card reader so I can upload pictures from my camera direct by memory card. Came away instead with a massive copper fan for my graphics card. The point being to make my computer silent as its becoming a bit of a noisy bastard when trying to watch DVDs. Now its much better :)
27/08/06	This weekend my friend from London came up to see me and we trawled the usual pubs and clubs (See right in Bar 3). On Saturday we went to the catacombes of Paris. This is where they neatly and rather cleverly stacked up all the bones from the cemetry at Les Halles and moved them into the vast and tunnel system that runs deep beneath the city. Its quite depressing in places. In the evening we went to an Irish pub where I met once more with Ann before moving on to party the night away to cheesy classics at Bar3. This morning we woke up and the Andrea (who had stayed over) decided we should go to an Equadorian resteraunt for lunch. This transpired to be an excellent decision and I can confirm that Equadorian cuisine is indeed fine - the chilly sauce was freshly made and amazing! As we left Andrea said to me "Did you see the owners girlfriend?" I said I hadn't but apparantly 'she' was a 'he'. Andrea told me that many transvestites come to Paris due to the excellent surgeons.
26/08/06	Tonight is the leaving party for Roz - my old friend. She lives just down the road from me in the 16th. We gathered a great lump of people (plus a couple we bumped into on the way) and headed to Place Monge for some french style nosh (See Right). We will all miss Roz especially her fixation with poo and fascinating Enima stories ;)
20/08/06	Last night we ate peruvian style (See Right) and then on to bar 3 for dancing. Ended up in another taxi heading to Nation and then back to my place (Long run). I think from now till the end of my secondement here I'm not taking any more taxis! This morning a couple of mecs (dudes) arrived at my place to replace the fridge and hob. Its amazing to now have a fridge that doesn't sound like a machine gun every 2 hours - in fact its totally silent (Lovely). Watched 3 films already today and about to start my forth (Ronin) - maybe I should be watching Taxi!
17/08/06	This weekend was the leaving party of Claire (See right). Unfortunately we all started a little early (Thursday in fact) which made Friday difficult. Friday evening I met Juilan in Bastille for some drink and tried to get the last metro to Chatelet and then catch the night bus home. Well I caught the night bus Ok and fell asleep (normal for me) except that the bloody thing was going the wrong way. I ended up on almost the furthest point of Paris from my place (TAXI!).	Claire - what a little trooper.
16/08/06	Work past this week with little flutter. Because its August most sensible people are soaking up the rays on the beach and not the glow from their monitors. The weekend started on Friday with Sushi (recommended by Reina). This initial excursion into the world of uncooked equatic life past well indeed and only a few beers at the Moosehead where needed to complete the evening. Saturday brings a boat trip to Joinville-le-pont (outside paris). This is where the parisians escaped Paris and its wine taxation and bopped the night aways to funky accordian music and the like. Sunday was a collection of fine views from the Basillica at Sacre Coeur and Tour Montparnasse. Today was an excursion to Versailles and the gardens. Tomorrow my 4 day weekend coasts to a halt on its final day with a visit to the new Ranly meuseum and a row on the lake (see right)
07/08/06	The weekend started with Ju in a few of the lovely bars near Bastille. Rue de Lappe was particularly nice. In one bar the regulars are encouraged to scrawl on the walls, ceiling floor - anywhere. The result reminded me of the inside of my pencil case from school - a chaos of indecency. The second bar played just U2 and the bartender had a disconcertingly high voice - Julian found this hilarious. Saturday was rather uneventful - just a few beers and the cricket in the Bombardier. Sunday - being the first Sunday of the month meant that many of the museums were free. I chose the Orangerie in Tuileries gardens near the Louvre - where Monet's famous water lillies hang. I hadn't expected them to be so very large. After this and a quick spin on the big wheel I met Reina for another cup of mint tea at the Institut Du Mond Arabe. Julian tried his best to order 'English Tea' - and Reina even told the waiter how to make it - alas poor Julian ended up with mint tea and milk (See Right). So another weekend expires - as does most of the electrical equipment in my flat. My fridge has now finally joined my hob, boiler and TV and gone on strike. I write this as my now useless fridge leaks smelly water all over my kitchen floor. Good news is my jolly nice (and it seems rich) landlord is going to replace the lot :)
03/08/06	Another sad day at the start of this week as we all say goodbye to Kat. For her last evening we took a walk up the Eiffel tour and then the Arc du Triumph to check one last time for vehicular altercations. Spent the evening in 'Beer Culture' - a nice little bar with lots of lovely beer at not to big a price (Quite an achievement for the Champs Elysees). Getting back to work required some serious motivation. The endless backlog of emails and questions from panicked colleagues about to go on holiday themselves. Just returned from a one nighter in UK for an emergency meeting. At least tomorrow is Friday and I shall try and take it easy this weekend and recover a little stability.	Trevor
27/07/06	Everything is racing by at the moment. Starting with the Cyclists of of the Tour de France on the Champ Elyeese. After this we went to the Bombaridier for the pub quiz - where this American chick quiz master precided to drivel absolute twaddle about general knowledge. We found ourselves trying to second guess the answers because she clearly had not done her research. She even questioned our answer about the current president of Peru - even though two memebers of our team were actually Peruvian! Never mind. Monday was a visit to the China Club near Bastille - this place is classy - its also not too expensive during the day. I had a fine glass of red and a cigar. On Tuesday I went off to find the Biéve. The 'Lost River of Paris'. It used to be really important but has since been polluted and re-directed underground. It only appears on the surface for a few meters in a little park in the 13th. Wednesday was a slow start and then a row with Kat and Julian on the lake in the Bois du Boulogne followed by a leaving party in the Marais.	Alejandro Toledo the no longer Chin Choso of Peru.
22/07/06	After a long week at work where I have been trying to make my steering simulation function correctly we decided to go to Park Asterix on Saturday. After a shakey start we eventually all made it to the park with enough time to get on all the big rides (more than once in some cases. I think the log floom (Right) was the funniest leaving us all pretty soaked. I have the week off work now so I can catch up on all the things I should have done seince being here - starting with my washing. Later I'm off to see the Tour De France arrive in the Champs Elyees - so hopefully I can get some nice pictures of knackered cyclists.
16/07/06	Took the car to the coast today with Julian and his Peruvian friends (See right). First we went to Amiens which is north of Paris for lunch and little look around. Then a slow drive west to the coast and the little fishing village Le Crotey. We took a beer and a some seafood before a late re-entry into Paris.
15/07/06	On Friday it was national day where everyone has the day off work so they can all get together and congratulate themselves for being french. tried to get up in time for the parade on the champs elysees but made it just as the last tanks were grinding their way out. Sat on the champs du mars for a bit with friends (See Right) then met Ann to watch the fireworks. I am writing this once again on my phone in the metro as i race to get home in enough time to leave again to meet kat and julian for a beer in the bombardier. Met up with some thorough nice Peruvian types and arranged to go to the beach tomorrow.
10/07/06	Me Roz, Kat and Claire took a nice little excursion to the Liore valley to see all the lovely things down there. We started at Orléans for a look around the cathedral, a little look at the river (Loire) and finally the worlds most awaited luncheon. A diversion to Chambord for gentle cycle around the Chateau (followed by the same cycle but at twice the speed). Finally we hit the road for Paris to catch the World Cup Final. Just about made it home in time to miss the first two goals but had plenty of time compose ourselves for the inevitable penalty shootout. Of course Italy won and Paris went very quite indeed.
08/07/06	Got up a little late after Mr Hazards birthday. It was kinda a fancy dress party with the theme being 'white'. So everyone was there dressed in white. It looked like a game of cricket at a KKK sports day. I fell asleep again on the night bus and had to walk home looking not unlike a Rastafarian snowman. Took a quick tour of the Rodin Museum (See Mr Thinker Right) Watched the Poseidon adventure with Roz in the evening which (true to the orginal) is a total work of cheesy art :-). Had a few beers in the 16th and and early night.
06/07/06	Looks like France are going to the final. If they win I'm off to the Champs Elysées. I heard today that when they beat Portuagal yesterday there was a mini riot and people pulled up paving stones and through them through the windows of the 'Drug Store' (A posh bar - See Right). This cheers me up because I think their prices are far too high and the service is terrible. Tomorow I plan to sit on Pont des Artes and drink cheap wine and then to a Scotish pub to celebrate the birthday of Mr Hazard (Actual name). Tonight however, I stayed in and watched (again) 'Back to the Future'.
02/07/06	So England once again loose the World Cup to penalties. Nevermind. Met up with Kat for a quick spin on the ferries wheel in Jardin Des Tuileries (See Right). Nice view from the top. Less can be said for the log flume which magically combines hard seats, vertical drops and wetness. A little jaunt to the top of Montaparnasse tower concludes an afternoon of elevation. Spent the evening watching the rollerblading dudes jumping over barrier tape.
01/07/06	Played football for my department at work yesterday. I wake today withou the use of the moving parts of my body. I havn't played football in about 10 years and although the games were only 12 minutes long I had to sit out one game and lie in the changing room. Went out in Pigale last night with Kat, Ruth and Gille - lots of fun but I almost fell asleep at the bar because I was so tired.
28/06/06	In the middle of a big deisgn review for my systems today. It seems that no matter how many Powerpoint slides I put up people did still somehow manage to stay awake. See Eric and Paddy right looking like proud engineers. I met Julian the other week having not seen him for while owing to his recent excursion back to the UK. Since back he has already set fire to his towel and locked his girlfriend in his flat as he went to work - good work dude.
27/06/06	A weekend of excess has once again left me on the wagon until the next England game. It seems that many of my friends are with me on this. Some friends from the UK came over to help celebrate Rozs birthday on saturday (See Right). Went to the Louvre on sunday which I have now promoted from 'boring' to just frustrating. I write this once again on the metro on the way to the France Spain game. I attend a franco-spanish meeting at work tomorrow so I feel obliged to attend.
22/06/06	Its been a bit hectic recently and its not looking to ease up anytime soon. I write this entry on the metro on my way to the champs elysees for a drink with Ann. yesterday was the fete de la music here in paris and it was pretty cool. the streets were rammed with people and loads of bands set up on street corners and by public buildings (see photo). feeling tired now following a laundry catastrophy that has left me without bed clothes for tonight.
19/06/06	I have been trying to get some tourist stuff in whilst I am still here. Managed to get to Sainte Chapelle, the Conciergerie and the Picasso Mueseum. Later we sat in Jardin du Luxemburg and soaked up some rays and a couple of tins with a live orchestra playing in the background. Its been pretty hot here for the last few days. An evening meal with some Italian friends perfected the evening (See right). Sunday was hot too - in the evening we met friends out in Sainte Germain-En-Laye. Very nice but woke this morning totally shattered.
13/06/06	I have a aquired a new 'Smart Phone' dead cheap from my company. This should be able to replace the higher functions of my brain so I can redouble my efforts on understanding where the weekends keep going. Tomorrow I go to the Champs Elysees to watch the England game.
11/06/06	Start by mixing a long walk through the 16th with an icecream. Leave to settle in the shade for a few hours. Vigorously shake and add an Italian salade with balsamic vineager and a dash (well a big glass) of red wine. Chill for 2 hours in Luxemburg gardens. Combine with two lovely girls and two pints in an English pub (Well OK 3 pints). Serve on a bed and enjoy with lots of sleep and a dash of mosquito repellent.
09/06/06	Have just returned from Madrid and find myself in the difficult predicament of being too tired to join Kat and Julian in Paris centre and too awake to go to bed. So i'll just sit here and update the blog with a beer. My business excersion to Madrid was a jolly one. Paddy goes skydiving as a hobby and thought his handheld altimeter might come in hand on the flight (I pointed out the dial looked a lot like that of a bomb) . As usual it is easy to eat and drink well in Madrid and the weather was SCORCHIO on the first day and WETTIO on the second (with a bit of thunder for added drama). The world cup with Roz beccons for tomorrow daytime and dinner with Ann in the evening.
07/06/06	As the weather begins to heat up my flat has the same smell that reminds me of the time I first moved in about 1 year ago. This also brings back memories of how very hot it became in the day and how very hungry the mosquitoes became at night. I fly to Madrid tomorrow morning with Paddy and another great Frenchmen.
05/06/06	Ever aware that this blog is quickly turning into a 'Good Pub Guide' I think I'll leave this weekend to your imagination. My parents were up however wich afforded me meals in some of the more attractive resteraunts (not that a Lithiuanian Kebab isn't delicious). Entered the Bombardier pub quiz and came third (prize? - more beer!).
02/05/06	This month has been the month of vehicle altercations (not mine thankfully). Last week I saw a car that had somehow mounted the concrete central reservation at a busy junction. Today I was walking through a quite leafy back street and came across a Peugeut 206 cabriolet that was completely upside down in the middle of the street. I really can't figure out how they (she) had done this.
31/05/06	Weekend continued at massive pace and took a few days of the week to finally come to a halt. Had a French lesson today and listened contently as Pascale (My teacher) and Kat (Friend and fellow student) talked for ages about the relative availability of contraceptives in France and the UK.
30/05/06	Today is a sad day as Eric the Bergmeister departs from Paris (Dude on the right). We will miss you. Eric promises me that we can get drunk in the bars of Virginia - so there is some good in everything. In honour of Eric here are some highlights of his Paris experience. Falling out of a taxi and cutting his head, living with a mad illegal Algerian with whom he had a fight in the street, Negotiating the return of my lost mobile phone with some guy called Henry and many more besides (will add they come to me)
27/05/06	This week has been presented in three parts... Part 1 - The UK - I returned to the UK last weekend for the wedding of Tessa and Barry (Congratulations guys) - See picture of happy couple. Part 2- The Office - I returned to France to work just the Wednesday. I think next month is going to 'hot up' a bit for me now. Part 3- The Weekend. Started on Thursday which is a good start - so I'm only half way through now! Forgot the PIN number to my card last night and discovered that in four days my bank shall permit me to go to their HQ and plead my case to some guy in a suite.
18/05/06	It rains tonight in Paris - I like this becuase my flat is top floor so the sound of the rain is all around. Tomorrow I return to the US of K for the wedding of Tessa (Maybe some photos to follow). I bought a magnum of Champagne for said event and hope it makes to the UK before expoding or something. I think I need a holiday.
16/05/06	From work comes routine and recovery. The weekend was a little too much in the end (Its Tuesday and I'm still feeling the effects). Thomas party was a good piss up but relied on staying awake until 5am to catch the train home. We (Roz, Floren, Eric and Julian) walked the long walk for the train with the birds singing. Next day was a jolly picnic in Park Vincennes where I stuggled to stay awake. Tonight I stay in and seek promotion of Battlefield2.
13/05/06	Its seems that this is the weekend of birthdays. I missed the first one which was on Wednesday as a result of tiredness. I did however make it to Sams last night (See Picture) - Just - as it happens because the transport god we very much against me (I resorted to a taxi in the end!). Had a great night but went totally topside and just about made it home before falling asleep. Not a good morning (slept through that) and woke up at 3pm. Just enough time for a McCovery and start the whole thing again tonight for Thomas's birthday.
08/05/06	Last week I spent in the UK as the IT guys at work battled to recover my computer from its lazy state. I thought it might be a virus but it turns out to be something much less exciting. Flew back late on Friday and returned to my flat exhausted. Saturday was more fun - with a wonder in Paris followed by a house party in the 1st. We moved on to a nearby club (as is normal in Paris to prevent neighbourly complaints). Yesterday was a nice picnic on the Seine with some great guys before being ruined by some 'hommies' with attitude. Retired to the Bombardier for the pub quiz before the evening quickly fell apart - fun but manic.
01/05/06	Pretty good weekend. Took the chance on Saturday to drive up the Somme coastline. Landed in Abberville which was possibly the most depressing place I have yet found in France. Moved on up to a nice little fishing village called Le Crotoy. On Mondy Eric, Ros and myself visited the big cathedral in Chartres. It was big alright (See picture) and the tour was long (and in French). Ros did some translating for me so I at least understood something!
26/04/06	Just when you thought that things coudn't get much worse - they do. All of a sudden the fact that my boiler is leaking doesn't seem to bother me much anymore. Tonight I am going to catch the number 22 bus to Hotel de Ville - munch a kebab - and meet a great bunch of guys and gals for a beer in a nice little bar near the Pantheon. Tomorrow no doubt will bring a severe bout of herpes or something so its best to be ready!	MARK IT ZERO!
24/04/06	Long day today at work after a cool weekend :) . My computer decided to lock up big time after lunch (doesn't everyone?). I think it might be a virus - but I can't be sure. I may have to return to the UK to get it fixed - just got to find the time.
18/04/06	Just got back from Venice last weekend - very nice it was too. We all met up with an Italian girl we work with. She kindly put us up in her flat and showed us Venice and all her friends. I think Italy is a cool place to be. Excellent food, wine and weather.
11/04/05	Last night was the usual in the Porte de Amsterdam. Tonight I catch up on some much needed cleaning and blogging. I saw recently in the BBC news that a Welsh woman was prosecuted because a speed camera caught her speeding whilst doing her makeup. Well last weekend when I was on the bus a guy overtook us (at some speed) whilst eating a chinese takeaway with chopsticks. I mean - jesus. Then on Sunday I was walking along the pavement and this girl was coming straight at me with her scooter on the pavement whilst talking on her mobile phone (no hands free). I felt sorry for the Welsh woman and suggest that she move here.
09/04/05	Sunday started well. Managed to get some washing done before meeting Reina for a nice cup of mint tea at the Mosque (See Right). She's this little Japanease girl and she wore this big brimmed hat - I had to smile. Wlked back to my apartment (2 hours) passing the Montparnass tower where a large gallian was parked up for reason that only god knows. Went home and had a quite night watching Garden State. I thought it was a little slow but nrvertheless had some really funny moments. Played Battlefield 2 until my eyes fell out and went to bed.
08/04/05	Weekend started well. Legged it from work and straight to a great house party near Bastille to celebrate Julians birthday (See Right). All brits, yanks and Swedish. For some reason the party was largely held in the dark. This was kinda cool until someone turned the lights on by accident and everyone was momentary blinded. Saturday morning started with a visit by Roz to pick up the keys to my flat (she's borrowing it this weekend whilst I'm in Italy) followed by a nice row with Kat on the Bois de Bologne. I am sure that I was the fastest rower on the water - I'm equally as sure that Kat was the faster crisp muncher on the water. Finished up and met up with Eric to join a boat party (Unsuccessfully). So tried to join another (Unsuccessfully). Gave up at 3am and went to a nearby bar and then promptly left. Fell asleep on the night bus again and got lost walking back to my flat.
05/04/06	It was good to get back to the UK. Rolled into my local 'The Black Head' to meet my brother and get a few pints in. Saturday I went shopping in Oxford and bobbed into Morris Photographic where I used to work. Its a shame cos the University own large parts of Oxford - including this shop - and they just put the rent up loads so they are relocating. Later my Dads band were playing in the pub so I went up there to see them play (See Left - Dads in the middle). I think Dads getting into this whole Jazz thing in a big way - even beginning to say things like 'man'. Anyways it was nice. Fired up the Beamer on Sunday (eventually as the battery was flat). Took it for a spin - went over a bump and the bloody tax disc came loose and flew out the window. Being back in Paris was nice again - except for the strikes. My train didn't make it anywhere near where it was supposed to go - and getting back was a pain. Made it back to my flat for 1am. To round things off my boiler is broken so I had a late night with the promise of a cold shower in the morning. Oh well.
30/03/06	The week started well - we ventured forth to new bar experiences in the Marais. Ended the night at the Lizard Lounge, which for one reason or another seems to be the most confusing venue of all. That night a DJ smoking a pipe played strange German trip hop (I think). Wednesday was notable for entertaining Mike, a colleague from Toronto. We took him for a pizza and then to a Canadian bar near Odeon. I managed to leave at a reasonable time but Kat, Eric, Sam and Mike seemed get stuck until the early hours. Tonight I'm staying in to catch up - I travel back to the UK tomorrow so I need to pack some clothes. My old man is playing his saxaphone in the local pub on Saturday so I'll watch that and catch up with old friends :)
29/03/06	I have only just noticed that my flat seems to be surrounded by a disproportionate number of adult art classes. From what I can make out this involves dressing as an artist; getting out the poster paints and making a total mess. The results (from the window) look like utter shite. Oh well - at least they are having fun I guess. Nearly died twice today in my car.
25/03/06	Its really nice to have a quite Saturday night with a good bottle of red and some films. Friday night was the usual scenario of drinking and getting horribly confused. This passed though - and today has become a day of some clarity. I tried to visit Opera today to have a look around - but the information dude got confused and thought I wanted to see an opera - at €85 this is a bit steep! In times of trouble "go with what you know" so I returned to my favourite meseum "Arts de Metiers" to pay hommage to the Cray2. I later met with Roz and another old friend and his girlfriend for some tea near Notre Dame. I asked for a grand créme ( a big english coffee) and ended up with an Earl Grey - I sometimes wonder if they do this shit on purpose. Anyhow - seeing as I like them both equally I didn't care. Hoping to get my kite (Flexifoil Super 10) up tomorrow in the Bois de Boulogne.
22/03/06	Madness at work - rediculous number of things that needed to be completed. Sometimes it seems that your actually too busy helping others and trying to find stuff to actually do your job. Anyways - managed to finish roughly on time to get out the door and into Paris to meet this Japanese girl I met whilst Salsa dancing a few weeks back. She lived in London for a bit so it was nice to hear her views on the differences between Paris, Tokyo and London.
20/03/06	Out again - largely against my wishes but our Rugby boys needed my support against Ireland. Didn't make much difference though as we still lost. Met up with Louisa- an old friend from Oxford and her 2 housemates. I dragged them out of a fancy fench bistro and pushed 'em into the 'Cockney Tavern' next door for some serious beerage (See picture). Then went south to meet Kat who was needing some support (literally). Met this random guy and went to Bar Three where I lost my phone :( . Sunday night was the quiz in the Bombardier with Ann and her sister. We joined the team of a French friend of a friend (Vincent) and came second - so we got some free beer :). Got to work this morning feeling pretty crap only to discover that my mobile had got bored looking around Paris and wanted to meet up. So - about an hour ago a kind 'ol fella called Henry returned it to me. Nice 1.
18/03/06	Out last night in Oberkampf (my fav location) for a beer and something to eat with Roz. A couple of French girls next to us were having their picture taken and one of them leaned back into a candal and her hair went up nicely. This happened to me once (I had hair once) and its not funny. I then moved on to tightly packed Irish bars for overpriced Guinness. One place was so full that it had portable toilets on the street out front! Me Kat, Eric and Julian took a cab to Pigalle to find another Irish bar but it was sooo full that we abandoned it and went to an Aussi place instead. Got a little drunk and we all fell into a flower bed together. Just about woke up at the correct stop on the night bus.
17/03/06	Student here have decided to protest about their future job security (nuts). And gathered in Paris last night with megphones and large flags to take pictures of riot police. Not quite sure I would call it a riot (as noone was hurt) but it looked impressive. No photos :(
14/03/06	Met up with a good bunch of friends including the bar staff from the Port D'Amsterdam to watch the England France Rugby (see picture). Usual crap ending in an English defeat at the hands of the French. Funny how all those French guys seems to get a sense of humour at these moments. Tried to recover from a hangover with a nice big lunch on Monday until I realised than somehow I had managed to order Viel tounge - it was as bad as it sounds and gets quickly added to the list of things I can't eat. Retired from work early and got a pizza and an early night. Thank god for bed - bugger the mornings.
08/03/06	Owen (my Irish friend) convinced us to go to a Salsa dancing night near Montparnasse. It was hard work drinking beer and watching all that dancing. Later we got to dance freestyle where I was in my element. Got chatting to a rather jolly freelance journalist so all that energy was well spent.
07/03/06	As always the weekend seems to have passed by both far too quickly and at great expense. I really enjoyed bobbing over to Anns for lunch with her and her Friends. Excellent bunch of Brits and Frenchies. Later I retired to my Flat to catch some sleep (midday drinking always does this to me now). Turns out the sleep was highly necessary as after leaving my flat at 7pm to meet up for a few beers and 'a bit of a dance' (See picture) I didn't make it back to my flat until about 8am. I slept through until 4pm and went for a walk along the Seine.
02/03/06	One of these days I'm going to have to put together a compilation of all the things that went on in 2005 - cos I have been here since April last year. Problem is I can't remember much of it. So far this week I have been pretty busy with this great big list of stuff my hydraulic system is supposed to be able to do. I think its finished now so I can turn my attention back to fire fighting (Hope I can catch it before the office burns down). Tonight I'm staying in to have a few beers and watch Team America. Thankfully my ear is returning to normal and now I can listen to Jack Johnson in stereo again. I think everything is going to be OK.
25/02/06	It was the rugby (England v Scotland) this evening so we all got together in a nice Australian pub to watch it. Was a bit close at first and then Scotland pulled it off - bummer. So I had a few more beers there before moving to the Longhop and finally back to the night bus. A pleasant evening all in all.
24/02/06	Finishing up from a hard week at work was a pleasure. Spent the evening at a very nice house party in the Latin Quarter where I tried to explain Cockney Ryming Slang to the French - don't think they really understood.
23/02/06	Just got back from a business trip to Madrid. On Wednesday I had a slight 'blocked up' feeling in my ear and decided that washing it with some water would be a good idea. Well it wasn't a good idea (as everyone is pointing out to me now). As soon as a few drops of good old tap water made contact with my ear canal it swelled up inside like a balloon. The flights didn't help much - so tomorrow I'll try the tried and tested approach of saturating my body with the cheapest beer I can find and sleeping on a park bench until it passes. Apart from all that things are nice and slow this week which is a jolly good thing for me and my liver and my bank account!
20/02/06	Was hoping to watch that new film "Lords of War" up near the Champs Elysee - but it wasn't showing at any good times so I just wandered off in the rain with a cup of tea. I found the 2005 Renault F1 car and a rather cool Mini Rallye. About 3 hours later I was surprised to find myself at Repúblic (The other end of Paris). Celebrated this fact with some Vin Chaud (Like mulled wine) which I bought from a nice little market and then jumped on the metro back to the 16th. Now I'm finally eating cheese and drinking wine!
19/02/06	A rather slow day with a look around Jardin Des Plantes where I was introduced to some rather nice Kangeroos and a couple of Emu's. Met up with Sam and went to a cool house party in the Marais. I bumped into a couple that had met each other in the same halls of res I was in (twice) when I was at Uni - Bericote at Warwick. The previous night began to catch up with me at around midnight and I was forced into the night to find the night bus. The RATP police (Transport Police) where out in force and I narrowly avoided a fine for not paying by emptying the contents of my pockets into their eagre hands.
18/02/06	After work I got bored in my flat and decided to finally get some pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night. Some of the shots were such long exposures that I actually burned up 4 batteries on about 15 pictures! Got to the tower and coudn't see much point in stopping so carried on to an English pub near Tour Montparnass. Chatted to some random people before calling it quits at about half 11. Was gonna go back to my flat and eat cheese and drink wine but got nicely diverted - Getting back to my flat at 7am in the end.
17/02/06	Well - it finally happened - im 29. I guess 30 is just around the corner now! I was touched - the guys at work heaped smelly cheeses and wine on me and Kat made some big efforts to coordinate a fling in the Porte de Amsterdam (See right). Had to make it into work the next morning good and early for French lesson. We had to put all the stupid little accents and what nots onvarious french words.	My 29th
15/02/06	Porte de Amsterdam becconed us in on Monday and a good crowd gathered to embibe to 'Eye of the Tiger' and other such classics. Met up with an old friend Roz from Oxford for lunch in Versailles yesterday. Her french seems pretty hot so I let her order only to advise the waiter at the end for a jug of water. We get everything but the water. Eating in Versailles can mean encountering some pretty hostile staff in the various cafes and bars. In particular the 'Cat which Chews' where I was set upon by arse who decided to recreate acts from Faulty Towers with me as 'Manual'. Gonna stay in tonight and practice some French (My teacher is beginning to despair with me). I have finally grasped the concept of the 'Past Participle' which elluded me throughout GCSE french.
12/02/06	Another predictable weekend in Paris. A few pubs and a cheesy club. Managed to get to the Pompidou Centre - actually called the 'Beaubourg'. It was excatly as I remeber it from my school trip of yesteryear - largely pointless. Unimpressed and totally lost I wondered about inside large clear tubes suspended by brightly coloured scaffolding (See right). Navigating through such useless exhibits as "The very large table lamp" (See right) - I eventually find the exhibition I want to see only to discover that my hugely expensive ticket wasn't expensive enough to let me in. Calling it quits I decide to catch the end of the Scotland vs Wales game and arrive just in time to see a brave and final rebuke by Scotland - not enough though to win them the game.
11/02/06	Madness. Woke up in Oxford at 6am before driving the 1 hour over to Gloucester for a few hours work. Mid afternoon recieved a hair cut (never had one in Paris since being here last April) and made my way to Birmingham airport for 5pm. Caught my flight and made it back to my flat in Paris for 10pm. Left my flat at 10:15 and made it back into Paris in time to meet Sam for a cheacky half and chat to a handsome gaggle of Au pairs.
10/02/06	Stayed in a typical English hotel Wednesady night (worn carpets and creaking floorboards). Its funny being back in the UK where the first thing you see when opening your eyes is tea bags and kettle. Mad day at work - rather happy to leave and point my luxurious Kia Picante East to return to good 'ol Stonesfield. My brother is temping at the local pub before returning to the world of 9 to 5 so I bobbed down there (purely to keep him company).
08/02/06	Being a little lazy at the moment with the whole blog thing. Partly because I'm sure I'm ill, partly because I'm simply lazy and partly because there is little of any interest to write about! Last weekend was a little challenging - in fact it all kinda mixed up into one because I spent a fair part of it with the same people in the same places eating chips it seems. Got a little carried away on Saturday after the Rugby. Gonna have to take it a little steady now. Anyway off back to UK for a couple of days as of tomorrow. Hotel for the first night then back with the folks for Thursday - then back here for Friday night. Did manage to get to the Panthéon tho.
01/02/06	Well today was pretty cool. An average good day in Paris. I arose for a good 9 hour stint at work. I am trying to simulate aircraft vehicle dynamics in Excel (Using VBA of course). Only problem is that if you steer 5 degrees to the right the whole bloody thing starts rotating to the left at about a million revs per second. So - convinced I understood where the problem lies I left work to meet up with Julian, Jeremy, Andreas (Friend of Julian) and Kat for some pizza and then for a few beers.
28/01/06	Well today I got up after a rather good night in the longhop for a nice expedition outside Paris to Reimes. Click here for all the cheesy photos. We fnally made it in time for Lunch. After a quick look around the cathedral - where much hiliarity was expressed at my mini tripod. We decided to get 'sampling' some champers. Not sure what went wrong here but a serious lack of organisation meant that we coudn't get a tour of the 'Caves'. So instead of just looking at dusty bottles of Champers underground we went straight to the bar and drunk the stuff topside. Very nice it was too. Made it back to Paris in time to get a few cheaky halfs before staggering off into the night to find my nightbus.
21/01/06	Managed to get out of bed early enough to get to the European Museum of Photography. I liked best a collection of photos taken by groups of children around the world. All the pictures are taken with simple disposable cameras, the best had been collected into a slide show. I also really liked Bernard Faucon who had some cool pics of this little boy playing etc with manniquins. I particularly liked the shot of him with two manniquins enjoying some 'menthe' (See inset - stolen from his website - thanks dude). Met with Kat to help solve her key duplication requirements and then a short jaunt up to Champs Elysee to see the Arc De Triumph and do a bit of accident spotting (see inset). Also saw the car from the latest (and worstest) film 'Taxi' Ventured into Pigalle for the evening with Eric and Julian. Pigalle of course is famous for the Moulin Rouge - but only suckers go there cos its so expensive. We changed to Oberkampf which is where you find geniune French people enjoying 'cafe culture'. After this we jumped in a Taxi and finished the night in the Violin Daunge (Crazy Violin) - or VD's as prefer to call it (no reason for that by the way). Managed to get the night bus and into bed just before sun rise.
20/01/06	Another hard day at work, now the guys in the office have decided to call me 'Scooby'. Of all things I have ever been called this - I think - Is the least offensive. The Perpetrator is Domonique - who I call 'Paddy'. He learned English in Ireland as a 'Lounge Boy' (Yeah a bit suspicious) so his English is with an Irish accent. Anyhow they call me 'Scooby' because the only other English guy I work with is 'Sam' and apparantly when 'Scooby Doo' was imported to France they called 'Shaggy' 'Sammy'. Hence Sammy and Scooby.I also learned why Gendarmes are called Gendarmes but its too boring to complete here. After work we made it to a Rugby match (See Link) to watch Swansea vs Paris. Paris won like 1E9 - 1.	SWANSEA vs PARIS
19/01/06	Tried ice skating again for only the second time in my life (See picture) - God. I compare ice skating to learning another language, something you take for granted (walking) is taken away and replaced by something new (sliding). In this situation you have to relax and go with the flow - otherwise you end up on y0ur our ass. Afterwards we ended up in the Longhop where I randomly met a friend from my folks place (Stonesfied). Later I realised I had crashed a student party - but hey - go with it. Ended up drinking some weird stuff from an ashtray (See Picture)
17/01/06	Had a stupid day at work today. The usual banter about who invented the word 'weekend' etc. I asked Paddy (Long story) if he had ever had Frogs Legs - his reply was that he had always had human legs. Geeze that and the endless quotes from The Big Lebowski and singing to English songs with the wrong lyrics just about adds up to enough for me. Managed to wash the car :)
16/01/06	Have decided that dogs should be banned on the streets of Paris for soooo many reasons. There is the obvious reason of the poop - which I actually avoid pretty well. Then there is the fact that my lift always smells of dog - which I can handle as we used to have a dog. But what really gets me is these stupid little tiny dogs on 1/4 mile leashes. They are like walking tripwires. Its really funny when they get in fights and the owners have to untangle the leashed. Serves them right. Cats are carried in bags and pose no threat.
15/01/06	Wondered up to Les Invalides today mainly to see the tomb of Napoleon. Can't really say what he did - but can confirm that he is not doing much now. I suggest some 'anamatronics' to liven things up. Perhaps have his corpse fighting a bear or something. After this exhausting slice of military history I met up with Kat for some food and then a couple of beers with Fabian (Fench mec) in an Irish pub. They played Irish music which was fun.
14/01/06	Met up with Ann for some coffee and a good long chat. She said I talk a lot - which I guess is true. Rented 'My Liitle Eye' tonight - which was OK I guess. I watched 'Dogville' a few months back and that film still sticks in my head as being totally weird but Good
13/01/06	Well OK - I ended up again at the Longhop with the usual crew.. Talked alot with Eric - my friend from the States about all kindsa shit. It was nice I guess. Not only found the night bus but also stayed awake for the duration
10/01/06	After a depressing return to work on Monday morning where I learned my secondment here ends in July (probably) I met up with some friends in the truely wonderfull Port de Amsterdam. Sam (My work colleague) tried his hand at the bar and helped the lovely Kim (Barmaid) with her dirty glasses. I wore a large foam hat and refused to dance on the tables (which is unusual for me). Just made the Metro home which is a god send as I always get lost when trying to find the night bus. Needless to say I felt like crap this morning. Tried to wash my car this evening but the instructions of the machine alluded me - something about waiting on a red light. All I had was a white light and a loud buzzer. Perhaps returning to the UK won't be so bad after all. Jody sent me this photo of me and her from the New Years Party my folks had this year (or is that last year??).
08/01/06	Last night began at 6pm and the rest is a mystery. I guess I could kinda see it coming as for many of us it was the first time back in Paris after 78 games of scrabble with our grandparents. Lucy stayed over and nearly dismembered herself on my viscous wicker sofa whilst freezing to death in my antarctic flat. Next day we felt so bad all we could do was watch Black Adder and eat pizza.
07/01/06	Met up with my old friend Eric from Boston last night - Eric's not drinking now after falling down the steps in the Metro on New Years. We started in a Canadian bar where we ate loads of typical American food - later we made it to a nice bar near Hotel de Ville for a couple of beers/Cokes. We ended up chating to some other folks from Boston - where this guy proceded to explain how the twin towers were actually blown up by the Goverment and not Bin Laden - you learn something new everyday!
06/01/06	Being back at work is just beginning to suck again. The pain of early mornings is shortly followed by the deathmatch of driving to work. At this rate I'll be dead soon! Oh well it is Friday so at least I can take it easy over the weekend (LOL). Went for a nice wonder about in Parc Des Buttes Chaumont.
05/01/06	Well, this I decided would be when I start this whole Paris blog thing. I guess I have been living here now for about 10 months and tonight finally decided to try the one thing that has evaded me so far - to make a bacon sandwich. . After extensively studying the chacutery section of my local supermaket I opted for 'Poitrine' which came in promising packaging (unlike 'bacon' which is a box of small bacon cubes). Well I shot the result (see right) - and I have to say its a start - only setbacks include the fact that each slice was about 1/2 inch thick and has a bone in the middle. Mind you the bread and tomato sauce worked well.
04/01/06	Just flew back from UK today. Its a bit of a killer from Oxford to Paris but you get used to it after a while. Rented a truely awfull film (I think its called the 'Den Of Lions'. Then went to bed an hour late cos my watch was still on UK time.