Back to the harbor?

Well Folks, I'm back in Madrid!

I awoke at 4 AM to get the airport. Which was a mistake - my driver go there in 20 minutes. I had over 2 hours to kill. Lucky for me, the lounge was open! I pried my eyelids open and drank coffee after coffee. Eventually I got on the plane and promptly fell asleep.

After some London office "emergencies", the details of which shall remain shrouded in mystery, I successfully articulated the move of our Madrid office to a new location - said location being decided 2 days prior to the move. Awesome! Tomorrow I get to watch as everyone hooks up their computers. I also get to tell the local support staff how to do things right, or in low French, "MY WAY!"

I had a very Spanish lunch of cold tomato soup and a skewer of fried scallops and prawns. Prawns are what the English call shrimp. Apparently they don't deturd them here either.

I finished up my work around 7:30 PM, and the local FD took me out for Tapas - it's 2 hours too early for actual dinner. We had some Jamon ("ham"), fried prawns, Anchovies on Toast, and some cheese thing that made me want to die. Picture Blue cheese without the blue and 100x more fragrant. I tried it because I want to start finding cheese I like. This cheese was good for about one bite. I also found out that Spanish people like to put lemonade in the beer - it tastes good. Oh, Lemonade is not Lemonade. It's a lemon fizzy drink. Crazy, I know!!

I just watched the most ridiculous CNN euro weather report. They showed PA - specifically flooding in PA. "very luck for you if you are in Philly! Many delay in the areas."

I had a beer in the hotel "bar". Don't get me wrong, this is a very nice hotel. However, the bar is empty - it's an area of the lobby. The bar itself has many bells on which one may ring. If one were so inclined to the ring the bell, the following action occurs:
Man leaves the reception counter through hidden back doorway
Man appears on other side of lobby behind said bar
Customer requests beverage
Man provides requested beverage and a small bowl of chips/crisps.
Customer signs for beverage and drinks it in awkward silence. After which he retreats to his room.

German MTV shows American videos. The Spanish video channel shows early 90's videos. Spin Doctor me up a pocket full of Kryptonite baby!

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Day 2 - Setting up the computers for everyone went well. I used my pidgin Spanish to communicate. Pidgin as in "Necissicito cable de Electridad?", "Aiedo?", "Si, Dos Cervacas", "Comma se desay, This blows?" Pardon my spelling.
I had an "early lunch" at 1:30 - 2 is the normal early lunch. I ate squid on potato slices. It was what it sounded like, but it grows on you.

Everyone left at 3:00 - Summer hours have started for our office. They work until 7-8 most of the year so they can beg off early in the summer. The new building actually follows "old" Spanish hours - they close from 2:30 - 4:30 in the afternoon. I sat and fixed all of the computers "my way" while I was alone. Done, back to the hotel for a nap and some refreshments, and the World Cup in Spanish or German depending on which announcer annoyed me the most.

I had dinner reservations at 9:30 with the Finance Director and her husband - I jumped in a cab at 9:00, showed him the address and away we went! We started driving through the old part of Madrid, which is pretty cool. Then the driver stops, points to the traffic and tells me that this is as far as he can go. The "traffic" was actually an impromptu parade - some DJ's in the back of truck were driving through the city with a crowd of kids walking behind. After vaguely understanding the directions to my destination, I brave said kid crusade.

I actually did not get lost. Oh, don't be so proud. Turns out I only got the first part of the directions "Straight until you can't, then make 2nd right" Actually after the comma there was a left, a right, and another left. Oh well. Thank goodness for Google Maps Mobile on my phone! Typed in my current address, and where I was going and BAM! Directions. Albeit driving directions, but I was able to improvise my way around.

I had a lovely dinner - More Jamon, Fried fish, and salad. Now "salad" is actually a plate of the following: A full grown peeled Asparagus, and lettuce. Dressing consists of Oil and mayonnaise - separate, so you can just have oil or mayonnaise as your prefer. Aside from the asparagus, it was like eating the topping of a McChicken sandwich. Sounds gross to you, but you know me - I loved it! I had sorbet for dessert - it comes in a glass with a straw and is melted.

We decided to have after-dinner drinks - unfortunately my hosts were very unfamiliar with the local bars and got lost. We wandered and found a cab - they remind me of Chicago cabs, white small cars. We went to their old "disco" by their house. Apparently they used to have a pool that everyone would jump in at 5 AM when they closed the club. But now the pool is filled in as a dance floor. After our drink a cab was found for me and home I went.

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Saturday - I rescheduled my flight Friday night so I could come home Saturday. The original move plan was for me to go and finalize some server stuff on Saturday and fly home Sunday. Due to everything going smoothly it was unnecessary. I got home right when the England game started. I quickly changed and went to the pub across the street. BORING. The crowd at the pub were subdued and blocked the TV. At half-time I went to the Alexandra which I knew would be jumping. Pushing past the sweaty people (it was 87 outside) in the first room I made it to the back room. We screamed, sang, and gave the TV that weird British V finger thing. England lost in overtime penalty shoot-out and we all were quiet. I grabbed one last drink and headed outside to enjoy the nice "it's so hot!" weather.

I turn around to see a man sitting on a picnic table outside. What catches my is that there are two women, one on each side, holding his arms above his head. I then realize there are red rags around his wrists. I ask the man next to me what happened - apparently this idiot punched both fists through the window of the upstairs bar in frustration/despair/craziness when England lost. He did not look good - I waited until the ambulance came to see what would happen. That was a let down. He walked into the rear of the ambulance and away they went. Away I went with my new pint glass. Calling his survival a let down is morbid, but I feel it highlights man's need for spectacle.

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Sunday - I helped Jamie at her Art's festival, which is now over!!!
Our friend Beth's band played and was awesome, the mobile Midsummer was executed well, and my beekeeper suit and mittens kept the sun from turning me purple. All in all a good Sunday. I wish I could take the day off tomorrow and relax. Oh well! Back to the harbor.

Fixed?

Let me know if this doesn't work
Pictures

If you want to see more than Frankfurt, click "Browse All Albums" on the bottom of your screen when the slideshow loads.

HI!

John will work on the link to photos from the last blog and let you know when it's fixed.

We are both crazy-busy with work stuff (and football) right now, but I wanted to say HI and that my new favorite English word is "People-carrier!" It's their word for SUV or van- isn't it great? Use it today- it will make you smile:)

Frankfurt and Milan

Jamie and I just spent some time in Clapham Common soaking up the sun, or in my case, desperately trying not to turn purple. We're going to watch USA play tonight at a pub on our high street. Currently Ghana is playing the Czech republic and winning - which is like UR playing Notre Dame and kicking ass.

My business trip was fun - just wish I had more time to take in the sights. But being a business trip, I did get more tourist time than I thought I would.


I flew Business Class the entire time which is a new experience for me. I didn't know I was allowed to fly business. Maybe I'm not and someone messed up. Maybe I'll push my luck and book my ticket to Madrid as business class. I have to help them move their office at the end of the month.

The most exciting thing was having my bags checked straight through to Milan from London. Unfortunately for me, I was spending the night in Frankfurt. After waiting for an hour at the Frankfurt baggage claim, I finally found out the location of my bag. Lufthansa gave me an "emergency" overnight bag. The overnight bag contains the following items:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Folding hairbrush and with a mirror
• Shampoo
• Roll On antiperspirant (In Europe?!)
• A razor and shaving cream
• Laundry detergent so you can wash your stink ass socks in the sink
• One giant XXXL T-shirt

Not so bad right? So I met the IT staff and the Finance Director of the Frankfurt office wearing my clothes from the day before, avec giant t-shirt.

Frankfurt was totally destroyed during WWII and was rebuilt. Unlike London, there are very few giant ugly concrete minimalist buildings. Mostly 4-6 story buildings in nice colors. The neighborhood in which our "hotel" was situated was very residential. I wouldn't mind living there if I spoke German. I say "hotel" because we booked our rooms fairly late, and Frankfurt is hosting one of the World Cup stadiums. So my room was more like a fancy dorm single with a private bathroom. Food wise, I had nothing German except for some average beer in .5 litre mugs. Wasn't for lack of trying - we couldn't find a seat at most places that night because Brazil was playing and the only place to eat lunch by the office is a Japanese restaurant. I have been told the best Japanese food outside of Japan is in Frankfurt. I couldn't tell the difference.

Milan was a different story all together. We stayed in a swanky hotel, ate Italian food and drank Peroni, wine, and sparkling water. The Milan office is cool - it is in an old house that had been converted into an office building. I ate the best tasting pizza I've ever had during lunch - with a fork and knife no less! Milan is also covered in graffiti - imagine Astoria on a large scale.

Word to the wise - if you fly into Malpensa Airport, look into taking a train or the shuttle to get to your hotel. The airport is 28 miles from Milan, so the cab fare is about 80 Euros.

Towards the end of the day my boss and I went to the Duomo (a Cathedral), walked on its roof, shopped for his fiance, and watched England win their match in the hotel lounge where we discovered a beer called Torborg.

I bought Jamie a bottle of Italian Pinot Grigio and an official World Cup 2006 Football from Frankfurt. Overall, a good trip.

Pictures can be found here:
Milan
Frankfurt
Madrid
World Cup 2006 - England's First Match

P.S.
Ghana won, and the US drew last night.

A Brief Hello

Sorry it's been so long since we've written. My only excuse is: FOOTBALL!! The world is consumed by it right now and why should we be any different? We (at least I) have spent every available moment watching football. I go to the gym instead of running in the Common so that I can watch the games. I LOVE the World Cup! For those of you who don't know- the US team didn't do so hot in its first game Monday night. For a team who is ranked fifth in the world, it was a big disappointment. They lost miserably. BUT they are going to make some changes for their next game on Saturday- so we shall see. England, on the other hand, won their first game on Saturday. They faded in the second half (apparently that was due to the fact that they aren't used to the scorching heat) but they did win. We had a blast watching the game. We went to a pub with a bunch of friends. We paid £10 each for a seat at the table and a halftime "buffet." There weren't enough seats for all of us and the "buffet" was a HOT DOG, but it was still worth it. I'm very disappointed that I'm going to miss the next England match (on Thursday.) I scheduled my first British haircut at a salon that is only open late on Thursdays- don't know what I was thinking!

John is in Frankfurt right now. He left yesterday afternoon. In a couple of hours, he heads to Milan for two days. I miss him, but it's pretty cool that he gets to go to all these places. I'm sure he'll have fun stories to share when he returns.

Hope all is well with you!

The Reprieve Gala at the Globe

I had a fun night last night and wanted to share it with you. As you know, I volunteer as a Steward at Shakespeare's Globe. (Oh- this is Jamie, in case you didn't already know.) Well, last night they hosted a charity event for Reprieve, "a UK charity that fights for the lives of people facing the death penalty and other human rights violations," and I volunteered.

I got to work inside for the first half and was outside for the second half, but I popped in to see a bit in the second half anyway. The comedians were fantastic! They were Mark Thomas, Stewart Lee and Kevin Eldon. If you ever get a chance to see one of them, I strongly recommend it.

But it was the musical guests that got me excited. First was David Knopfler, one of the co-founders of Dire Straits! He played new songs and they were pretty mellow and a bit sad, BUT HE WAS A CO-FOUNDER OF DIRE STRAITS! How cool is that?! There was also a singer called Allison Moorer. I didn't really get to hear her, because she was in the second half. But I heard this gorgeous alto voice coming through the doors when people came in and out, so I am going to try to listen to more of her stuff.

The BIG band, however, was The Proclaimers! That's right, ladies and gentlemen, the brothers who brought us "I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more-just to be the man who walked that thousand miles to fall down at your door- badadadatda...badadadatda..." You get the picture. Anyway- they played a couple of newer songs but they ended with that one and I was thrilled!

Eli, I don't know if you remember this, but you and I used to sing that song at the top of our lungs every time it came on the radio. I'm pretty sure we drove Mom mad! So, I sang along at the top of my lungs last night and imagined you were there with me. It was great!

The show went super-long, which was annoying, but I got to see the Proclaimers (and other cool acts) for free!

And that was my night. Aren't you glad I shared?

Hope you're all well...

"You know I don't speak Spanish!" or play football

Madrid was great and more than made up for me having to travel all day on a Holiday.
The landscape that I did see was dry, reddish in color, with lots of pine and scrub. After that I was mainly in the city. I didn't check into my hotel until about 11:00, and then I had to work for about an hour from my room. Then I went out to find dinner at Midnight - I had heard you can eat from 9:30-12:30. Mostly places were closed but I found one that let me order a full meal. I had mussel's to start, spicy pasta for dinner, and a cold apple pie for dessert.

The next morning I ate breakfast at the hotel and hopped in a cab to the office. I thought I would try to pronounce the address in Spanish, as opposed to pointing to my piece of paper. Apparently Calle de Zurbano and Calle de Surrano sound quite alike when I say it, so I ended up on the wrong street. No worries! Hopped into another cab and armed with experience, pointed at the address on the piece of paper. 5 minutes later I'm handing the cabby a 50 - all I have after paying the last cab.

This guy is all like, no way jose! "Smallest bill I have Senior, I apologize" "No - too big, no change" "Take me somewhere I can get change" .. starts yelling at me in Spanish... "Senior, I can't understand you, and it still won't make me have any smaller bills" ..yelling.. hands me change...I get out of the car while he is still yelling. I like to think that he was yelling at fate because I am just so darn sexy and he was jealous.

I worked all day, then had a couple of hours to take in the sites by my hotel before dinner (at 9:00, which is 30 minutes earlier than normal). I walked around the Palace and the Cathedral de Madrid and took lots of pictures.

We went to see X-Men 3 Friday night in Greenwich to watch it with Myke and Drew. We don't know how it ends - the film caught and melted during the last 20 minutes. Bummer. They gave us free passes and refunded our money, so it worked out.

Summer finally arrived! At least it is here on holiday.. T-shirt and Jeans weather. We took our neighbors to the Greenwich market yesterday and spent the rest of the day in Greenwich park with Myke an Drew. It was amazing. We had Subway Subs (no oil & vinegar - not even an option! crazy English), beer, wine, cheese, meat, olives - you get the idea. Regular lazy day gorging yourself.

Our neighbor Andy was feeling punchy, so he borrowed a football (soccerball) from some guys and we kicked it around. Myke had an errant pass into the face of some French lady. She wasn't happy, understandably. So we move further away. I tried to juggle a little and the ball got away from me too. Straight at the French lady. "Heads UP!" I say. "Ah, Jesus Christ!" She says.
I chased the ball in an effort to stop it. I managed to pop it up over her head and leap across her body. Didn't even touch her. That was my most athletic moment of the year.

The we got the Aerobe stuck in a tree, which provided much entertainment as we tried to get it down with our empty jug of sangria. I actually managed to get this 1 gallon thing stuck in the tree. We did finally get the Aerobe.

After, we walked to a riverside pub and enjoyed some refreshing drinks and food. On our way home, we passed under the Prime Meridian - there is a laser that shoots from the Greenwich Observatory marking 0 degrees. At one point we were in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Pretty cool. A lot cooler than being in New Jersey and New York when going through the Lincoln.