Alliance Francaise, travel, neighbors and Plush.
1. I was invited to a cocktail party at the Chicago Opera House tomorrow night - to the 2008 Gala of the Alliance Francaise de Chicago, in support of this non-profit organization that promotes film, music, theater, literature, cooking and all things l’art de vivre. Providing food and drink at the dinner will be The Ritz Paris, L’Ecole Ritz Escoffier, Colin Field & the Hemingway Bar, and Djordje Varda & l’Atelier Floral du Ritz. I have not yet decided if I will attend but if I do, it will be to people watch as the National Restaurant Association gathering is here in Chicago this weekend and there will surely be some notables about.
2. I have spent much of the past week concentrating on finalizing work issues and packing for my trip. In the upcoming weeks, I will go to France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Italy. I am looking forward to a bit of adventure and, of course, a bit of trouble. This will be the longest vacation I have ever taken and the first I have taken alone in many years. It is…thrilling.
3. I have a very nice next door neighbor. Last summer, she gave me a potted geranium for my patio. I suspect this may have been because her patio was an array of many colored geraniums and mine looks positively dreadful next to it. My only decoration is a grill. I might plant some fresh herbs this year. But really, I can’t be bothered much with plants or flowers. I don’t get it. Tonight, she knocked on my door and gave me a very nice fold out chair for my patio. She said she had three and simply didn’t have the room. This means I will be able to work, reclined out in the sunshine, with my laptop. I will be sure to find her something nice while I am traveling.
4. The reigns to the blog will be handed over to Plush while I am away. I imagine that with the multitude of internet cafes, I may post something but I haven’t decided if this should also be a vacation away from even this, my favorite hobby. I had no reservations about turning things over to Plush but after a few reassurances from her that she would not do certain things…then I began to think about it. But, I simply do not care. I trust her and hope she scandalizes you all.
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Just a random attorney writing about daily life with Little Filthy, my rotten dog.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Just think of the cocktail party as a precursor to your upcoming immersion into all thing French- Ooh la la
As we’ve discussed many times before, I sometimes take as much joy in packing and prepping for a trip as the actual trip itself so I’m officially jealous of you on two points.
Our neighbor’s yard looks like a park and their upstairs window looks out over our yard. Since our yard is coming along quite nicely, I’m not as embarrassed, but I know that for lots of years, they just ‘loved’ living next to our messy yard.
Be sure to give updates either by email or blog about your trip so we can live vicariously through you!
May 16th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Your neighbor sounds like a doll, I would be sure to pick her up something lovely in your travels.
Everyone should have such nice neighbors. Mine? Well they hate us. They think we’re perverts since we let our toddler run around naked.
Oh ya… we’re bad eggs ;P
May 19th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Ohmyeffingod RE!! I went to the Alliances Francaise de NY gala last year and it was when Talia and cemented our amazing friendship. Oh the champagne.
Oh the champagne.
May 21st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I’ll be joining the Alliance Francaise de Seattle soon to motivate me in becoming more fluent in French. When I read about the cocktail party you were going to I got excited because I hoped Seattle did the same thing. I don’t think our Alliance is that fancy. Did you end up going? If so, I hope it was un bon temps.