Weekend Hello from Norwich

Ahhhhh – TGIF! A rough week, good it see its back. Looking forward to a long weekend and, the inevitable, short week coming up.

Rather nice weather this week. Spring-like stuff. Highs in the low 70sF. Much better than what we were having and will have this weekend. Predicted Monday high in the 40sF. I got the chilli out of the freezer! My cold is history. Hopefully, it will be the last of the winter health events. Although the weekend weather is likely to cause another round of sniffles, which I will endeavour to avoid.

The Boss was up for a couple of days. Several very difficult discussions. I think progress was made, but in these things, progress is measured in inches.

Construction around my apartment seems to be transitioning into a new phase. They have opened a nice courtyard in front of the unit and the building across the way looks to be complete. A large building on the left side is still far from complete.

Norwich is pretty quiet. Given the weather forecast, I will order in groceries and keep a low profile through our bank holiday, Monday.

Everyone in South Beach is bracing for “Urban Beach Week” (whatever that means – to us it is “Hip Hop Week”). Once again, 300,000 “urban youth” are expected to descend on our 24 linear blocks of beach. Randie Hofer wrote a very timely open letter, although I doubt the audience it would benefit read such things. Alexis is determined to keep the Palace open, but I warned him to have an armoured get away car idling in the alley. In other news Marko has left SoBe for NYC. Looking for a bartending job. I wish him the best and predict a short search.

Just a few notes made their way across the pond. Everyone seems to be in fine form heading into the start of summer (however, if the British call this summer….it was 72F yesterday and the natives were carping about the “heat” – HEAT??, yes, they are mad)

I suspect I have rambled on quite long enough. Enjoy your holiday weekend! I will crank up the furnace and try to avoid shivering. My best wishes to all.

Weekend Hello from Norwich

TGIF! A very demanding week -- I fear, no mercy for the wicked. The prospect of a quiet weekend is most welcome.

I am almost over a head cold that first appeared last Saturday afternoon. A few quite miserable nights. Will be a memory soon, although never soon enough.

Called in at King's Pub this week. Applied a nightly rum and cola to the cold -- worked wonders. Luke and Emily are a young couple that alternate shifts in the pub. Nice kids. Anyway, they'll likely take my advice and vacation on South Beach in July. Given Med prices (!!) (goodness!!!) SoBe is a major bargain, even after the airfares.

Rewatched an old favorite, "Gods and Monsters" last night. Alexis has a blog entry mentioning a monster movie fest in SoBe. So, I thought the last days of the Director of the Frankenstein movie was appropriate. I am not fond of flicks that explore the decline and loneliness of famous men with certain specific eccentricities, but this is an above average flick. Pull the shades, get a bowl of popcorn, and bring a hankie (or two).

TRYING to get a vacation scheduled. Such a lot of bother. For someone who is not terribly busy or important, I cannot figure out why it is so difficult. Did buy a ticket to Amsterdam, but was immediately told that I was required that weekend at a seminar in some stately home in Buckinghamshire (I kid you not -- there really is such a place!) National holiday (referred to as a "banking holiday" in the UK) a week from Monday. I will go down to London and try to stay out of trouble. (or maybe not)

Speaking of May 28, that is Memorial Day in South Beach. I have opened the South Beach Refugee Center and Dance Hall as usual for any fleeing residents. Hip Hop Weekend is almost universally dreaded on the Beach.

Seems that Mr Gonzales is going to outlive Mr Wolfowitz -- strange, but DC is a strange place. Mr Blair has, finally, announced his departure. Unclear how history will treat him. Unfairly, I suspect. Iraq clouds everything. Mr. Sarkozy has, of course, assumed the helm of the French ship of state. Seems to be full steam ahead, in circles. He is inheriting a mess. Certainly no jealousy on my part.

I have been monitoring the Miami real estate market via the Majestic Properties website. It may be my imagination, but it looks to me like some pretty serious repricing going on. Maybe I can afford to buy something if it continues. Hmmmmmm

Speaking of buying, bought a major mineral rarity this week - a stunning sperrylite. Unfortuately it will go directly into a safety deposit box. These days, that is where stunning mineral rarities go... (sad to say).

With that thought, I will return to productive efforts. Have a spectactular weekend! I hope to be back next week....

It's been awhile...

Have had trouble logging on recently. It worked today, so....

Having some trouble over the Reverend Falwell's demise. Part of me wants to dance, but then again I know that would be wrong. (of, what the heck!) Hate mongers are a dime a dozen, but this one was personal to me -- I was raised a Southern Baptist and never for a moment agreed with anything that spewed out of his mouth! Well, he has gone on to own his great reward -- let's hope he was surprised at the reward.

We are experiencing an extended cool spell. About the same temps we had in the winter and the mandatory drizzle tends to make for miserable days. I tend to stick close to home (or work). I fear the weather will repeat last year - in which case MUCH warmer temps are in the offing.

Trying to figure out what I am suffering through. Either a head cold or an allergy. As I am running a low grade fever, I am hoping it is a cold (will be over sooner than an allergy...)

Planning a trip to Miami to warm up. 3 weeks beginning mid-June. Will stop in Amsterdam on the way over -- direct flights from Norwich International (I STILL get a giggle out of that name) to Schipol. A couple of days of good Dutch beer and Patrick's company sounds like just the solution for a long flight. Also a chance to stock up on cheese for Alexis, chocolate for Dietmar, etc. Hope to stay in my favorite hotel -- Bank's Mansion, a very civilized place.

Visited London since I last blogged. Great time. Surprised me a bit. Will go back down next weekend (depending on rail and all the usual nonsense).

OOPS- Time for lunch. Have fun! More later.