The tree is up! The stockings are hung! It's Copper's first Christmas!
After nine days in London & Paris, you'd think I was over-supplied with highlights. However, one of the best may have been last night having gotten to see my friends Brian & Kirsten Hennigan as well as meeting their 10-day old -- and newly Americanized with a US passport -- daughter, Tess Makson (born 11/15 -- same day as my brother!).
The primary reason for this trip was to meet with stakeholders on the EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa), UK and France Media Network businesses in addition to attending the MMN EMEA Summit this week.
Another day, another tour of Paris! While Saskia and I both racked up more miles on our shoes, we also hit the capital city of France by bicycle today! Yes, we braved les rues avec les drivers francais!
From le Tour Eifel, we crossed the Seine, got a few more shots, then headed to L’Arc de Triomphe. Though adventurers, we dared not the roundabout to the center. Instead, we dropped off our newfound transportation, enjoyed cafes on Champs-Elysses while a rainstorm passed, then enjoyed more posing throughout the city (You should know, Avid Reader, that London was a wet mess until the day we arrived last week. Paris was as wet. We didn't see a drop of rain until this afternoon -- and it was after we parked our bikes. Talk about an amazing weather trip; this was it!).
Saskia & I walked a significant Paris mile today, took in some incredible sights, enjoyed my old neighborhood, and shopped hard. I'm surprised we made it out again for dinner and to see more sights tonight, but we are adventurers!
From there, we passed my old boulangerie, grocery, and front door! 11 Rue Castex was my home for the fall of 1999; an address (and door) I'll always remember. We hopped right around the corner to Ile St. Louis, then enjoyed some time in the Notre Dame gardens. Of course, it wouldn't be an adventure without a photo shoot -- and we indulged.
For dinner tonight, Saskia & I ventured out again (barely!) and decided we needed to see the Eifel Tower at night. We've had glimpses, of course, but nothing full-on until this evening. It was drizzling, so our time was ultimately cut short, but it was long enough to capture Gustav's wonder yet again.
Saskia and I are already enjoying all things French, including brasserie dinners (escargots!, charcuteries!, creme brulees!) and what it means to be living in the 1er. After work yesterday, we checked in to our new hotel, found a nearby boulangerie, ordered hot ham & brie sandwiches on baguette accompanied by eclairs au chocolat, and sat in the Tulieries gardens near the Louvre to enjoy a late lunch. "Really?", you ask? Yes, Avid Reader, really. It's that awesome.
Other highlights so far...
Indeed, I am back in France after not having put a foot on its incredible soil for nearly 10 years; she is just as amazing as I remember her. You know those days when you wake up and pinch yourself to try to snap out of a false reality? Today is one of those days.
One of the things I'm excited about being in these two amazing cities over the course of the next week or so is the fact that 'tis the retail season! Christmas marketing is in full swing; department store windows compete for attention. London is no exception and I got my own personal tour this morning as I took an early morning stroll.
In an haute couture homage to all things Oz, Dorothy was draped in a modern take on gingham, the Tin Man sparkled, and the Lion donned a COURAGE belt. Something for everyone, I appreciated the Munchkin interpretation as well as the use of Cesar (aka Toto) to promote even the pet section of Harrod's. Brilliant!
Yep, you guessed it! I'm off on another international adventure! This time, I went East and will be in London and Paris Nov.16-25. It'll be a busy week at work, but I'll get to enjoy a weekend in Paris... and the 10-year anniversary of when I lived there in 1999. Crazy how time flies! I'm excited to test my latent French language skills: nous verons!
Amy Weaver saved my proverbial butt this weekend as I realized I forgot my laptop at home after checking in for my flight to London on Sunday. She raced from her Belltown home north to Licton Springs, onto I-5, over to Hi-99, through downtown, to the airport to deliver my laptop to a frantic desk agent who raced my laptop to me past the first security checkpoint. After which, I raced through security, onto the S-gate shuttle, and into my economy class seat bound to London with only moments to spare! It was the most adrenaline-inducing airport adventure I've had in my life. 
Relative to The Latest, that's pretty much it in a nutshell. However, it's been an interesting week in Copper's world. We made Bob Barker proud this week: Copper was spayed! We're in recovery mode this week which is to say I'm doing everything in my power to keep Copper from racing around the house and wanting to play tug-of war.
No, Avid Reader, sadly Copper was unable to join me on my latest trip to Australia (Hello from Sydney, by the way!). However, my dear friends Amy & John Weaver graciously agreed to house/Copper-sit while I'm away... and posted this entry on their blog.
But the real Joy of Sport followed Saturday morning as I watched a three fields of 1st & 2nd graders play flag football! Sponsored by the NFL Flag Football Program, my brother Kevin coaches the "Cowboys" (and my nephew Tony) who happened to beat the "Seahawks" in their 10AM game. Again, more dedicated parents, but kids playing football ON the field vs. in the end zones.
Part of the seeing George process was catching him direct the Homedale High School Marching Band at halftime of the Homedale vs. Fruitland football game! It was incredible to be back in the high school football environment with an entire student body out to support (though not to pay actual attention to the game), dedicated parents in Trojan garb, a suited-up band, caramel apples for sale by FHLA (Future Hispanic Leaders of America), and kids playing their own football at each end zone.
On Friday, throngs of Pendletonians crowded the Betty Feves gallery at Blue Mountain Community College to see Bruce Guiwits’ final art show – hundreds of graphic art pieces he created. I was able to see the Guiwits family as well as handful of folks with whom I went to high school. I got to hang out with Warren again, as well as see he & Charla’s little ones, Elka and Camden.
but spend the afternoon hitting Pendleton highlights, including the Round-Up sign I painted over 20 years ago still hanging at the baseball park. We drove past the two homes I lived in (on Nye & on 22nd), hit Big John’s hometown pizza for lunch (TACO PIZZA – as good as we remember it!), caught some of the Husky game there, and toured downtown. The highlight of the day was visiting the grave of my dear friend Becca Holowecky who died of breast cancer at the too-young age of 30. Somber. And awesome.
It was amazing to me how much smaller and manageable things seem now. The world is a big place to a 6-year-old. I also found my grandparents’ house in Ontario, OR, as well as the park all of the cousins overtook with each stay. The same swing set, slide, and merry-go-round were still there after 30+ years.
We did it! We graduated! Copper and I spent every Monday of the summer since her arrival at PetSmart and their Puppy Class. Really designed to train the trainer in front of the trainee, I inherited a clicker and some strong communication skills to help Copper and I grow into the relationship we have today. Short story long, we did it!
Not an adventure in Asia per se, but I did have one recently as I had a mole removed! Why would I blog about this you ask? Honestly, I don't know and it is 100% odd. HOWEVER, in an effort to raise awareness (yeah!) of melanoma and other potentially life threatening disease, I feel it's my duty to share my own struggle such that you, too, Avid Reader, will get yourself checked out as well. (Damn, I'm GOOD!)
While out on the town today with my friend Justin, we went to the Raffles Hotel to see some of the true colonial architecture as well as to hit the Long Bar and enjoy Singapore Slings where the drink was born. In so doing, I ran into a familiar face from the Seattle volleyball community who had moved from Seattle nearly five years ago!
As I searched for the bathroom, I passed her once, twice (found it!), and on the third pass, broke the ice: "Excuse me. I think I know you. From Seattle? Played on SuperFriends? Tina, right?" Brilliant! She's just starting a two-month trek through SE Asia. Crazy enough, I only knew Tina from the volleyball court -- as an awesome player on one of the best teams @JetCity (and our biggest rival) -- but with the craziness of seeing her today, it was like we were old friends reconnecting after years apart. Awesome. Just awesome.
Cheers from Singapore!
Our Forced Fun activity (morale event) @ the Regional Kick-Off Event was an adventure at Singapore’s Night Safari. The first night safari in the world, we enjoyed catching some of the world’s most amazing creatures in their natural habitats and when they’re likely to be awake!
Before the safari, we enjoyed an incredible meal, and some local entertainment, including traditional Singaporean and Indian dancers. They were awesome to watch – and invited photography after. One guess as to who was first up!
As cool as Night Safari was, the big news of the evening was my amazing effort to thwart a phobia – of snakes! As part of our private party, we were “treated” to close encounters with a stunning owl as well as boa constrictor. Literally, as we stood on a patio next to the herd of African cattle, Justin says to me, I hear there might be animals making their way to the party. “Cool!", I say. "I want it to be a tiger!”
So, I kept going back. Abetted by any number of folks watching this sh*t show, I was able to touch that serpent three times, before actually 'petting' its underside (much better; felt like shoe vs. scaly nastiness). Bottomline, I may have sweat through my shirt and acted the complete fool, but I was able to defeat my phobia in at least one small way. Best, I feel great. Better, stronger, faster.
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Also of import is the fact that it's Monday night here in Singapore and another day has come to a close on this Asian adventure. What this means is that I'm getting oh so much closer to a Copper reunion! For those keeping track at home, she is getting oh so big and I'm getting reports of outstanding -- though puppy-like behavior -- from John & Amy!
While it may be as hot as the center of hell, I got a taste of heaven this morning in the form of a Copper Update... "Just a dog on a farm".
I was awoken this morning by bullhorns and blaring music and what turned out to be the 10th anniversary of the OH! E-DO DANCE competition/exhibition/event. Hundreds of little girls (and little boys here and there) in matching outfits ranging from t-shirts to cheerleading outfits were demonstrating the joy of dance directly below my hotel window.
What would a trip to Japan be without karaoke and PRINT CLUB?! Indeed, after dinner last night, a posse of folks hit Shibuya and belted out favorites in English, Japanese, and Chinese! Yasuko, Yiping, Jordan, Sarah, Reiko and I enjoyed a night of spirits and song -- and amazingly, couldn't figure out where the evening had gone.
But of course, no night out in Shibuya could pass without PRINT CLUB! Having promoted it all day long, the gang entertained me and we hit a PC Shop. I'm unsure if the PC-virgins knew what they were in for, but I will tell you this, Avid Reader: every one of them will be a repeat customer!
More to come tomorrow, Avid Reader! It's 3AM and time to hit the hay! Let's just say tonight was yet another Japanese Kick in the Pants!
I hear you, Avid Reader. I hear you! Copper is not locked in her crate with no food, no water, and no bathroom break while I am trapsing around Asia these next three weeks. To allay your concerns, she is in the wonderful care of The Village.
- Hand-written, personally signed... "Dear Mr. Moore, Welcome and thank you for staying with us. It is our utmost pleasure and honor to serve you. Please enjoy your visit." Know what?! I think they actually mean it!!
The John Weaver Invitational has come and gone yet another summer... and yet another summer, I am rendered immobile. Avid Reader, I am having a hard time moving, much less getting up and down or even sneezing! All in all, however, it's a pretty darn good pain and I'm excited to have gotten to play in my one outdoor tournament with so many close friends.
This put me smack dab in the overall standings of 28 guys and I was ultimately paired up for the tournament with Alan Wittren. Alan was SUPER excited to play -- and had the energy to boot. We were a good pairing altogether -- with his size and net play and my focus on defense (OK, really just trying to play smart behind a big guy), we knew our roles and played them well. In fact, well enough to win the tourney title!
