Swimming

I want to be back in Paris

Our second day in Paris started when Vincent met us at our hotel. We walked to the base of the Eiffel Tower. It was already extremely crowded, so we wandered through the Parc du Champs de Mars, eventually past Les Invalides and the Ecole Militaire. We ended up near Notre-Dame Cathedral. We had a leisurely lunch together and enjoyed the lovely day. Then outside Notre-Dame I took a picture of Great Grandpa's statue. :) We mused for awhile at the sculptures above the main entrance that show Jesus and the devil weighing the worth of souls (the devil attempts to cheat). Inside Vincent translated the story about an interesting, if grim, statue. It was of "death," depicted as a skeleton in a hooded cloak, holding an hour glass. He gestures to a grieving widow that her time to join her husband (in his casket) is almost near. (Cheery).

Eventually, Vincent needed to leave for his train. I said goodbye to Vincent and began looking around the Rodin Museum. J.D. and Vincent had a quick beer together, and then J.D. joined me inside the Museum. The pictures here are "The Kiss," "Cathedral" (the joined hands), two of mother and child, "Eve," "The Gates of Hell" (near which I have abandoned all hope), and "The Thinker," which was originally going to be called "The Poet" because it was Dante pondering his Divine Comedy over "The Gates of Hell." J.D. and I enjoyed wandering around Rodin's beautiful garden after the Museum closed. It had been a busy day full of walking, but we were both very happy as we made our way home for the evening.

Bastille Day

July 14, 2009: First Day in Paris

We arrived in Paris around 6:00 a.m. It had been a long flight, and we got little, if any, rest. Still, it was exciting, especially since our taxi driver seemed a bit on the insane side. J.D. snickered as I gave him half-teasing, concerned looks for our safety on the ride from the airport. Overall, J.D. appreciated the Paris drivers for making him look like an absolute saint behind the wheel.

Our taxi dropped us off near the Sofitel Arc de Triomphe, on 14 rue Beaujon. We had to walk a little way with our bags since the Champs-Élysées was closed and currently occupied by what looked like all of France's military. The streets were shockingly quiet. It seemed like just J.D. and I moving freely among the entire armed forces. Soon we dropped off our bags at our hotel, and we wandered down the Champs-Élysées to find a spot for the parade. By now, 8:30 a.m., people were crowding the streets. We found a spot that was already 4-5 people deep, but they were shorter than us, so it seemed like the best we would find. After waiting for some time, 10:00 a.m., a line of uniformed soldiers on beautiful horses rode by. They were impressive.













Then at 10:30 a.m. jets flew over with the French tricolors. Different waves of planes and jets followed. (J.D. identified them for me). We saw more tanks, military jeeps, loaders, and other equipment. There were many saluting men decorated like banana republic generals. But by this time, around 11:30 a.m. I began to feel very tired. The people were pressing in close. Many were trying to push in front, and a woman behind me kept chomping her gum right in my ear. I told J.D. I needed a break and went to stand beside a building. He joined me, and we decided we'd seen enough. We went back to the Sofitel and fell asleep for a few hours.















After resting we got ready and walked to the Arc de Triomphe. J.D. was excited, and I love seeing him so happy. We walked around the base taking pictures and then climbed the narrow, winding staircase inside to the very top. From our bird's eye view of Paris, we oriented ourselves to the layout of the city. We noticed how all the avenues shoot out like sun rays from the Arc de Triomphe. I told J.D. about what little I knew of the politics behind widening the streets, which I believe was basically to make riots and barricades more difficult and to enable marching troops down-- as we had seen illustrated earlier in the day. For dinner we found a little restaurant named Sir Winston's. We had tried another place earlier, but the waiter was chasing a little mouse out the front door, so we decided to move along. (The little mouse did get away. I was afraid for a moment that I would witness him being killed.) We learned another lesson at dinner. We learned to ask specifically for "tap water"-- otherwise we would receive a bottle of water for 5 euros!

Then we were off to see the Bastille Day fireworks. If people were crowded for the parade earlier, it seemed like nothing compared to the crowds now. However, we luckily stumbled upon a spot by the Trocadero with a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower. We found a spot to sit for me, although J.D. preferred to stand. He would occasionally play with my hair or rub my neck as we waited. Around 10:45 p.m. the show began when the sky was still a little light. Then in spite of the crowds, it was magic. It was easily the most lovely fireworks either of us had ever seen. The finale made me exclaim: "Beautiful!"

After the show we clung to each other as the flood of bodies began to move. We found our way home for the night and reviewed the video J.D. took of the fireworks. His video captured it much better than my pictures did, although I really tried. :)

On my pillow at the hotel was a little teddy bear. He came with a goodnight story, a quotation by Jacqueline Mabit: "Dreams are always the start of something." We ate our complimentary macarons and fell asleep quickly, looking forward to the day ahead.

Dover

Time to come home tomorrow. Today we really enjoyed seeing the white cliffs of Dover and playing on the beach. Dover was one of our favorites. It was a beautiful finale. I enjoyed watching J.D. skip stones and touch the water. Our timing was lucky. They had the 100 year anniversary celebration of the first flight from France to England, so special types of aircraft flew over frequently.

We also saw Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral today. J.D. drank "Bishop's Finger" a special beer for pilgrims. :)

We returned to London around 6:00 p.m. and wandered to our favorite pub for dinner, the same one we visited on our first night here. We spent time watching people in Trafalgar Square. Football hooligans were singing and dancing on the steps by the National Gallery. One guy was break dancing for money, and the art installation on one of the plinths featured someone sitting on a toilet with balloons and signs raising awareness of bowel cancer. It certainly was free entertainment!

Well, I better get some rest. I can't wait to call everyone and see our cute cats we've been missing. What a great trip it's been. Part of me is really sad it's over. But maybe we'll be back in 10 years. :) That seems to be my pattern. We can hope anyway.

Goodnight and Love, J.D., Tammy, and Baby

In London

Well, here I am having super fun using our hotel room's Internet tv! We just found out about this service. What a busy day we had. I am seriously TIRED, well, at least mostly my feet. I've found I don't travel as well as I did 10 years ago, not to mention I'm halfway through my pregnancy now. By the way, I *think* I felt the baby move for the first time at Stonehenge! We're having a little Druid! :)

Today was Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, and the Tower of London. Each of them is of course massive, and we were going from opening to closing, 9:00 until 6:00 (or 18:00). Anyway, we just returned from dinner at our hotel restaurant, and J.D. is having fun planning his pilgrimage to Nottingham for Warhammer World tomorrow. Meanwhile, I will be at the first day of my conference and need to get myself to Roehampton University. We're becoming used to the Tube -- J.D. is a big fan of the British underground system. Well, my session is about to time out, so I'll say goodbye for now.

Still Not Knowing...

We still don't know if baby is J.D. Junior or Tammy Junior. Sorry to disappoint anyone.

The ultrasound was rescheduled for when we return from our trip. My doctor primarily wanted more time so baby's internal organs will be more fully developed. While they do examinations between 18-20 weeks, unless there is some reason to do it sooner, they prefer to wait until 20 weeks. Also, I guess I wasn't technically scheduled for an ultrasound, so we'll just have to wait a little longer.

Things are busy. I keep writing down lists of everything we have to do before early Monday morning. So much to do! I'm getting excited and nervous, but mostly excited!

J.D. brought home euros and pounds today. He said "I got the funny money!" Yes, indeed you did honey, expensive funny money.

He has been working so hard this week, arriving at work by 7:00-7:30 a.m. and staying late. Currently J.D. is crashed-out on the couch while some mellow band plays on PBS. It seems to have lulled him to sleep, although it probably wouldn't take much.

Well, back to the list.

Also, thanks to everyone that has expressed interest about our baby.

J.D.'s most difficult day at work

I drove J.D. to the Metro today and then drove myself home. It actually gave me a small but important sense of accomplishment. I know it's silly, but I haven't driven in years, and to drive the stick shift is a big deal for me.

I blew J.D. a kiss as he got on the train. He laughed and caught it. We had joked the night before about the parting scene in Young Frankenstein when Dr. Frankenstein's fiancée keeps fending off his kisses and hugs, and she even avoids a kiss he blows at her. :)

Anyway, I had a busy, fairly productive day. This evening J.D. called to let me know he made it safely to Las Vegas. He is with three people from his office at a resort. And it is a "real" resort. He spent a couple hours after landing just lounging by the pool and palm trees, sliding down a water slide, swimming, and sipping a beer by the pool. What a tough day at the office! Tonight they will probably go into the city. Have fun J.D. But not too much fun. :) Maybe I should have wrapped him in taffeta.

Seriously, I love you honey. I'm glad you're enjoying your first visit to Vegas baby.

We've taken the plunge!

We've finally committed to our big "unfamiliar venture, especially after hesitating" (as the Free Dictionary puts it) . . . in our case, after a lot of hesitating.

Yesterday I bought our tickets. We're going to Europe!

J.D. and I are both excited and looking forward to it, which is good because there's no changing the airline tickets now! Even our stay is pretty much set, except for 4 days in England because I haven't heard from the BARS people about the conference schedule yet.

Anyway, one of our problems as a couple is that we both tend to over think things. We try to imagine every scenario and prepare for every situation, but in the process, we tend to stay put until we know EXACTLY what's going on. This can cause paralysis. For example, we've stayed almost 8 years in the same apartment because we didn't know whether or not we should buy a house. Our future has been very uncertain, so we've tried to keep our options open. But, in doing so, we've fallen into a type of stasis, and we're both sick of it. We're both ready to move forward and do what we've dreamed.

Because the thing with life is that you can never know what will be the best decision. You can never make the perfect choice that will only bring satisfaction. You just have to do the best you can. You have to make choices and keep moving forward, and sometimes you have to take risks. We should probably save the money for part of a down payment on a house. But, I've wanted to go to Europe with J.D. since I've known him, and the cliché is true: there's no time like the present! We figure it's the time to travel and do things now. If we wait any longer, we'll just be following that pattern of not making a move because we're afraid of the unknown. That in itself would be precisely the wrong move.

We're going with the travel package Paris & London. And I've arranged it so we arrive in Paris on July 14! We can hopefully catch the military parade down the Champs-Élysées and the fireworks that evening at the Eiffel Tower. We're staying at the Sofitel Arc de Triomphe nearby. It will be crazy, but hopefully fun. Maybe we can even go dancing at the open firehouses during La Fête Nationale? We'll see. It may be insane, but we'll always remember the Bastille Day we spent in Paris.

After all, sharing vivid memories with the one you love is the best kind of real estate.

San Francisco

Maybe time to dust it off

Today I began research into getting my passport renewed and acquiring one for J.D. Apparently, it costs $75.00 to renew them and $100.00 to get a new one! Sheesh. And they're only good for 10 years. Although, I was rather surprised to learn you can renew your passport via mail.

Anyway, I have a bit of good news. I heard back from the British Association for Romantic Studies that my Blake paper was accepted. I decided to send my paper, sort of saying "what the hell?" to myself-- "I'll give it a try." I mostly did it just because I made myself meet a deadline. And, to my amazement and joy, they want me there! So, it occurred to me, this would be an excellent opportunity to get my beloved husband to travel to Europe with me. It gives us a reason/excuse to go. (J.D. can be adorably cheap). It's also something I'm looking forward to and think will help motivate me to get going with other things I need to do. So, right now it's my dream that hopefully we'll be able to work toward, save for, and realize together.

Also, I'd like to invite friends to come with us in July. Let's all go!

I need to get out more.

Where in the World I've been

http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/map.php

Well, I still have quite a few places to go. I wish I could travel more. I'd like to go everywhere.

Looks like I'm avoiding Mississippi

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

I've got "the West" down, now to just work on the East Coast.

Why did the dollar have to tank?

http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/map.php

Thanks Catherine for the link this was fun. :)

Cincinnati Chili Madlib

In honor of recent travels:

Madlib from: http://www.writing.com/main/madlibs/item_id/396719#sw

"You're taking a road-trip in the good ol' USA--so what might you see, eat, and otherwise experience? Whatever it is, you will surely have this experience only by traveling the Madlib way! Fasten your seat belts, 'cos you're in for a strange ride!!!

Things You Might Eat In Restaurants Along The Way:

Scrambled donuts
Salisbury Skittles
Baked Pringles with sour cream & chives
Leg of banana
Starburst stew served with hot, buttered Diet Dr. Peppers
Apple & tomato on rye served with Kosher iced coffees
Gyro & blueberry omelet served with slices of hot, buttered french fries and Cincinnati Chili jelly.

Places and Things You Might See:
Grand Loyola National Park
The Petrified Creation Museum
The world's largest Abraham Lincoln
The world's smallest crackton
A fossilized grumpy old man egg
Carlsbad White Castle from which the giraffes fly out at dusk.

Which One Of These Is Your Favorite Motel?
The Aluminum Ape Inn or The Red Megabus Inn?

Wherever you go, don't forget to put some hippies with pretty and/or interesting pictures on them in the mail for your friends back home!"

New Orleans

Journey to the Big Easy

I'm getting ready tonight to go to New Orleans for the CCCC. Just now, in preparing for which sessions I'm going to attend at the conference, I found this lovely section and HAD to share. Unfortunately, it's an ongoing joke that only 1 person (in addition to J.D.) will find funny.

At least now I know why I'm going to this conference:

Thursday, Section E, group 02, "Diving In to Prison Teaching."

Spring Break

Well, spring break is over. Back to work. It was nice having time off with J.D. We enjoyed visiting family and friends and hanging out.

During the week we saw There Will Be Blood at the Tivoli. I wanted to see The Rape of Europa-- about Hitler's plundering of European art-- but I'll have to catch that one on video. TWBB is ok, not great. Also, it's not a movie to see if you have a slight headache, the music is jarring to the extreme, intentionally so, I'm sure.

We explored historic Lafayette Square and got in-touch with St. Louis' French heritage. In the process, we discovered a nice restaurant called Squire's, where I had a tasty crab cake and salmon sandwich. I know it sounds a little odd, but it was good. Then J.D. and I strolled around Lafayette Park and saw Harriet Hosmer's statue of Senator Benton. The park also has three cannons from the British man-of-war, the Acteon (sunk in 1776).

We journeyed to Peoria and visited Angela, Ryan, Abby, and Riley. We had Christmas in March and played the card game Guillotine. Abby and I designed paper doll dresses, and J.D. liked expending some energy raking leaves. (We look forward to the day we can take care of our own yard and garden. I know it's a lot of work, but when you are used to it and don't have it... you actually miss it. Also, I have seedlings growing that I have no idea where I'm going to plant them.) Overall we had a great visit.

And we capped it all off when we drove to Chicago to see Catherine, Michael, and Olivia. We were able to go to the Museum of Art, free of charge thanks to Catherine's smart thinking. We saw the Homer and Hopper exhibits. We also enjoyed Joy Yee's, where J.D. got to have eel and octopus. Most of all, it was a lot of fun seeing our friends and playing a couple games.