Happy Holidays!

The tree is up! The stockings are hung! It's Copper's first Christmas!

We enjoyed a full four days of vacation this past week; I was thankful to be home and reunited with my little girl. We spent time running errands, visiting dog parks, putting up the Christmas decor, eliminating (maybe... don't ask) a rat from the garage, and are now ready for the holiday season!

I hope you are as well, Avid Reader, and wish you the most Happy of Holidays!

The Hennigans + One!

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!).

We enjoyed catching up altogether, staring at Tess, realizing it'd been over 1.5 years since our last visit, and similarly realizing that our relationship defies time. Kirsten even sent Brian & I to the nearest pub to get some Guy Time before Daddy Duty (BH) and Seattle (TM) beckoned.

Incredible couple. Incredible perspective. Incredible new life.

Incredible highlight.

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.

Of course, summits mean all-day meetings and drinking/dining adventures after. This one was no exception. We took over the private room of The Fenix nearby the London office and had a great time connecting with people from around Europe, including from Spain, France, Belgium, Norway, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Scotland, Italy, and of course, the UK. Of course, the evening turned into more drinking, less dining and some dancing!

I continue to be amazed that the little business I helped to launch in 2003 is now the core of Microsoft's online display advertising strategy and that it's truly global. In light of the fact that I can't show anyone anything specific about what I do -- I build nothing; create nothing -- I'm reassured in that I created a sustainable business. This pleases me so.

La Bicyclette Bleue*

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!

Paris has an amazing bike rental program with stations all over the city. We took advantage of bikes near our hotel, crossed through the Louvre, rode along the Seine and stopped to enjoy scenic views of the Eifel Tower by day. Needless to say, we got some amazing shots and I’m excited to share a re-enactment with friends Carla & Erin! Ever the adventurer, Saskia again allowed me to art direct and proved to be a fun model in all shoots. Thanks Sas!

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!).

Our final destination took us to Montmartre for The View of Paris from Sacre Coeur. Saskia discovered another boutique on the way, so more shopping ensued. Given that everything was in Euros, I’m unable to report on how much she actually spent. I also doubt she will confess. Always the tourist scene, we actually caught the most amazing (soccer) juggler I've ever seen. He even proceeded to scale a lamppost while spinning the ball on a pen on his nose. Um, no joke.

Our day ended with a final walk from La Magdalene to the hotel such as to get to the train to London. I will miss Paris again, but am pleased to have again whet my appetite by getting a taste over these past few days.

Paris, comme je t’aime. Au revoir, mon cherie. Je te raconte comme les cheveux.



*La Bicyclette Bleue was a book read by a woman who my Aunt & Uncle hosted one summer in Boise. We took her on a camping adventure; I know that that experience is what drove me to study French in high school, college, and beyond. Pretty defining, no?

The Loop

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!

We started the day on a Metro adventure to La Bastille where we had to find a boutique Saskia was intent on discovering. And did we (she!) ever! I have to admit, it might have been one of the most charming shops I've been in. Spacious, well decorated, cool stuff. Merci was definitely a 10.

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.

Centre Pompidou was on our list, but shopping & lunch beckoned. We accomplished both in the Marais, including the latter at what was my favorite restaurant in Paris: Pizza St. Antoine. I say favorite because it was my first meal here when I moved and has that special place. Relative to the pizza and Carlsbergs? Just as hot and cold as I remember both!

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.

I'm just now back at the hotel, ready to put this Saturday night -- and final night in Paris -- to bed. I have a short list of To Do's before our train to London. Sadly, this list excludes food shopping as I'm now 0-the world on trying to bring back my favorite cookie of all time, Le Petit Ecolier's Chocolate Caramel biscuit. I know, I know! That said, bonne nuit, mon ami!

L'adventure commence!

Bonjour! This crazy busy week has come to its end. With its finale, my Paris adventure begins! Even as I wake to a French Saturday as I'd done so many times when I lived here (it's my 10-year anniversary of having lived in Paris!), I find myself relishing each individual moment... the collection of which may likely end up in this blog!

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.

After lunch, we enjoyed our first (of many, I hope!) photo sessions of one another around the Louvre courtyards and hit high-end boutiques where Saskia scored a pair of fashionable pants on her way to her 'Parisien outfit'. Me? My big purchase was a bottle of water. So far. I'm on the hunt for the most amazing biscuit under the sun; I'm 0-3 to date with grocery stores -- wish me luck!

Other highlights so far...
- Um, that's the Louvre. Do you realize we're staying a block from the Louvre?
- Confident, if simple vocabularized, French. Saskia is impressed.
- Waiter twin of my NYC colleague Luke Pardi
- Saskia making an escargot scene. She ate it; I am pleased. Next time, she won't make the fuss.
- Mousse au chocolat (anyone sensing a dessert theme here?)
- Christmas lights @ Printemps & Galleries Lafayette
- Our alley view of St. Roch
- The woman at the Tulieries fountain thinking we were British, married, fluent in French and spoke to us as if all three things were true after we continued to suggest otherwise.
- Being here. Seriously, just being here.

Paris, How I've Missed You...

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.

I'll tell you this; I ain't pinching myself; I don't want to wake up!

'Tis the Season!

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.

Fun, this year marks the 70th anniversary of 'The Wizard of Oz' and Harrod's is taking advantage by dressing their holiday displays in emerald and gold. 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!

London!

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!

For now, however, London it is. My friend & work colleague Saskia found an awesome boutique hotel in an amazing neighborhood and we enjoyed a leisurely afternoon in the sun, then a night of work back at the hotel. The next two days are filled with meetings, then off to Paris for two more days booked solid. Good times!

As for Copper, she is safe at home under the care of dear friends John & Amy Weaver, who are now dubbing their responsibilities as "The Den of the Ferocious Beast". Oh dear! Bonne chance to all!

The Amazing Race

Because of a Rookie Travel Mistake, I experienced a bit of an Amazing Race this past week. Completely reliant on All-Star teammates, my leg was a race through Sea-Tac airport onto a departing flight...

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.

And yes, I would team with Amy Weaver on the Amazing Race ANYTIME! I tell you what, Avid Reader, my friend totally delivered, literally and figuratively! THANK YOU, Amy!