MONUMENTOUS EVENT!!

coming to you LIVE from the blackberry where we have just NOW purchased Jelte a smashing new shirt AND (wait for it) a pair of SUPER HOT JEANS!! And to the relief of fashoin society everywhere, next stop... CASUAL SHOES!! No socks allowed.Ohhhh glorious day...

the REAL kick off to Cairo

The morning has arrived, and I find myself in the midst of packing and fighting of the sense of dread that usually accompanies the filling of the suitcase, wondering how on Earth I need all of these things to make myself presentable in the morning, or evening, or bedtime, or whenever

SWEET ONION CHUTNEY just realized have STILL not picked up the dry cleaning ACK!!

Must go...more to follow

the weekend that was

If one were to take the time to sit back and compile a list of elements that would constitute a successful weekend, I am sure that the past couple days would fulfill close to all of them. There were no planes, no travel, no airports, no exotic adventures, but as is noted by the absence of weekend blogs, time was filled with most enjoyable experiences. Dinners out, dinner parties, catching up, quality time, important time, smoothing over, looking onward, looking inward, eating well (VERY WELL, H!), singing badly, unravelling thoughts, weaving memories....but all good times, and now that I think of it with much the same people, who I hope to sufficiently entertain myself this evening with a prolongation of weekend activities to commemorate our Kick off To Cairo.

Now, that's not to say that the weekend wasn't peppered with the most interesting of situations for a variety of people; scenarios that could seemingly build the plot of some late night soap opera or made-for-tv movie. But all seemed to emerge almost unscathed, or at least not permanently irrepairable, if however changed somehow.

Even managed to sneak in a last minute visit with the BartMan who is always "on" and I laughed for 2 hours straight. He will apparently be arriving to the party in a cave man costume...

Will be an excellent day today IF I can manage to focus and get some more than necessary things done at the desk. Jelte arrives this aft, the send-off is tonight, and from here on end it's CAIRO OR BUST. Ready or not (I'm still deciding...), here we go.

REALLY must remember to pick up that dry cleaning.

at times like these, one must Blog

Hmm okay, so amidst the absolute bedlam of the last few days it is necessary at this moment to take a break and purge the mind of some thoughts. I just got off the phone with the assistant to the Prez of the Federation, who seems to think I am much more fluent in French than I actually am and after literally speaking warp speed through the task at hand and what she expected from me, hung up with nary a word confirmation that I actually understood what I was supposed to produce for her. ZUT ALORS! BOB L'EPONGE!! Thankfully I picked up enough to get a rough idea of what is wanted...and I believe an email will be arriving shortly with some document or another to sift through. J'ai mal au cerveau.

Thoughts have been largely occupied with new friends abroad, peppered with the underlying lingering fear that we may not meet again, and the reality of knowing this in fact may be the case. It is still close to Congress - people keep in touch because the lifetime memories of good times remain fresh, photos keep circulating, and the need and desire to communicate is contagious and addictive. But, time is a thief, and I have seen it happen over and over again where come one, two, three months from now everyone has become focused on new things, higher priorities, new friends. I mean, what happens when the 900 text messages run out? And Cairo is over? And Uni starts again? J'ai mal au coeur.

Wow this is turning out to be a very sad Post. Perhaps I should get back to the hamster wheel of work and focus on bumbling my way through drawing conclusions from a 27 page French document on healthcare human resources in relation to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, a document which by the end seems to have all the words blurring together. J'ai mal aux yeux.

BACK ON THE WHEEL

buzzing today

(ProBlog: Answer Key to yesterday's SUPER fun game (ha ha riiiight) - Cats, Hair, Hairspray, Rent, Boy From Oz, Chicago, Oklahoma, Wicked, South Pacific, My Fair Lady. Granted some were overtly obvious...but I bet I snuck a couple in there!)

Hesitate to take too much time to Blog today as am typing like mad on a productivity roll this morning and don't want to divert too much attention away from the tasks at hand. This new found energy is a godsend after my poor and shameful work performance yesterday when I am quite certain I actually lost consciousness at the desk at various periods throughout the day. Although I am now getting a smidge worried about my caffeine, shall we say..."appreciation" (addiction...dependence... potAYto, potAHto..WORDS ALL OF THEM! Let's call the whole thing off.)

Maybe I'm still suffering the after-gibbledness of hearing about AJ. Still find it exTREMEly bizarre that 3 days ago there was one person, and now there are two. Weird weird weird...ALIEN weird like I've said before. Can't this whole process be done in a pod somewhere? Would be cleaner and less painful I think...hope Meghan is recovering.

I keep peeking above the computer to the wall where the clock I gave Teresa used to be only to find a print out of a Bert calendar of all things. Hmmm should go get a super funky clock for the office like I've been eyeing up. Bert's not going to tell me the time anytime soon.

ALRIGHT BACK TO WORK...after a quick foray to refill the java buzzbuzzbuzzz.

I AM AN AUNT!!!!

Tonight, after months and months and weeks and weeks of waiting, I finally received the call that told me as of Saturday at 18:46 I became a Pseudo Aunt!! (Not having any brothers or sisters my prospects of legitimate Aunthood are scarce.) My very very very very amazing friends Meghan and Greg are now the super ultra fabulous parents of one and only Alexander John McKechnie, known and loved by all as AJ. And apparently he looks exatly like Greg - I can't wait to see him in pics and in person, hopefully as soon as October. As one of the first to know of his impending arrival back in December, I can only say that the event is the best one of the year...and I am quite gibbled and sniffly despite myself.

It was so amazing to talk to Meghan who had gone through days of what I can only imagine to be the absolute worst possible bodily torture one can ever voluntarily put oneself through and hear that she was her same self, her same hilarious rediculous amazing self. Case in point, referring to her new son as a Conehead - HE CAME FROM FRANCE (SNL reference for those in the know) and thought it would be VERY funny to give him the "Refrigerator Repair Man" look and tugged his diaper down a little and took the bum picture. Typical, and I love her for it!!

I mean, I don't even LIKE kids, at ALL, but I am super pumped at being Auntie Mar (very long story about where "Mar" came from but Meghan and therefore AJ are of the few who may use the monniker) Plus I can't wait to see him in all those adorable little outfits. FASHION FIRST!

*sigh* who knew I would get so excited? Me who has held a baby OH three times, if that, and am generally uncomfortable with anyone under the age of 18. And the best part - when he's loud or less than clean in any way, BACK TO YOU Megs and Greg!! Ahh I kid.. I kid 'cuz I love. Although I'm not really kidding on this point...

Can't wait to see you all, and wish I was there now : )

Les Miserables outside

(ProBlog - it's time to play...SPOT THE BROADWAY MUSICALS!!)

Well yes, it is officially raining cats and dogs outside today and my poor hair is suffering from the few short blocks I had to walk in it. CURSE these curls, CURSE them all! I need to refill the mini hairspray I carry around, although not doing much good today.

The weather kind of matches the mood today however and am fighting inertia here in my desk chair. Have to really get cracking on the FIP news today although the mind is wandering to any number of other things. Like searching for a flat, which Teresa is helping me with (spoke to her again last night...instant fun as usual), of course trying to find something close that doesn't have some crazy rent.

Other happy thoughts are that I keep hearing from all the fun troops from Congress. It's wicked to hear from the boy from Oz and hopefully Bart won't be a stranger being so close in Utrecht. Thoughts are also turned to travel home after Cairo and I've been searching out flights. As it's on "work" this time prices aren't so critical but I'd rather transit through Toronto than Chicago. And might have to foray into the States before Christmas for some meeting or another in Tennessee or Oklahoma, can't quite remember. What is even better will be planning for Tana's wedding - Lesley and I and our stopover in the South Pacific!

Alright, have procrastinated long enough, time to get to get this party started.

(EpiBlog - this was for you Meghan, my fair lady STILL waiting to produce a sprocket! See tomorrow's Blog for the answer key!)

the first Blog from the Blackberry

Technology is amazing...iam typing away on a teeny tiny keyboardsearching the internet on a super hot little number the size of a make-up mirror...I amamazed!! Wonder if I can get messenger on this thing...morw later

and then there was one

(ProBlog - SEE ALL CONGRESS PICS AT www.myrz-pics.smugmug.com!!)

After the weeks and weeks of build-up to Congress and the rotation of visitors that have come and gone through the flat it seems absolutely bizarre to be sitting here on the couch, the only one in the flat now and for a whole week. I had been looking forward to this time alone again - Tana is off to Tokyo (SO JEALOUS!) and Mark headed back to the UK, all visitors back home from Congress themselves - but now that it's here...am feeling a smidge empty.

Had sort of planned to do have a "bed-couch-bed" day. It has been literally years since I had a TRUE BCB day, when you wake up at 11 and immediately need a nap, venturing from the couch only for bathroom, snack, and evening shower purposes only to return to bed. Alas I had to do with waking up at 10:30 and trying to get some stuff done that I hadn't gotten around to yet (that being said, 10:30, WOW...) The majority of which was frustratingly spent on computer difficulties not worth delving into here.

I absolutely cannot believe that it has been a week since I returned home... two weeks since I held my public health workshops (which of course means two weeks since one of the best Saturday parties that ever was WHOOHOO!) Still sad, although was reminded of all the craziness and fun via an HOUR long phone call to Tony in Australia who remains a big fun nut bar and I hope we keep in touch. We have scheduled monthly gossip calls, HA HA.

But today I started getting SUPER excited for Cairo!! Sylvia is showing up and we will all be there, and I am getting ready for the FIP Challenge. PLUS then Sylvia and I will be spending two days in Paris after Cairo (then she gets to go to Porto..withOUT me GRRR!), and two days in Paris are ALWAYS a good thing. But Eygpt, I really believe, will be one of the most interesting places I will ever see. It is unfortunate that such caution and care must be taken as it would be amazing to just wander there, to experience it for what it is. Our final banquet will be in front of the pyramids and I think it will be magical.

The countdown is on to my 23rd country!

I am fending off a nap, although I don't know how much longer I can resist. Hmm perhaps will make a little snack first.

back to the routine...

...back to getting some sleep, back to 6:30 Tae Bo, back to the office on time, back to lacklustre non-buffet breakfasts (bring back those teeny little caramel pecan Danishes!! LEKKER little bundles of goodness I tell you!), back to Cairo prep, back to wondering if best efforts for Cairo prep will be adequate, etc etc etc nothing new there.

I now have a few tasks to take care of though, first things first trying to get my computer screen fixed. ARRGGH such a pain. I am now using some ancient monitor that I borrowed from the office that is extremely small and blurry. Tried to do a set up on my bed last night with the lap top and monitor balanced on my lap but the result was so hilarious Tana burst out laughing and took a picture.

I am also preparing a little surprise for my fellow Exec members to be distributed in Cairo, which will take some prep work. Heheheheh will be GREAT!

Alrighty, the routine dictates I get back to work.

Mellon Collie and the IPSF Sadness

(ProBlog: My admiration to those who ID the album reference!)

Tonight marks the end of Day 2 Post Congress. More productive day today, but still seem to be under a blue rain cloud, compounded by some illness which is making my nose annoyingly drippy. This made worse by the fact I have misplaced my Sudafed Sinus tabs and you can't buy a decongestant in The NL, of course. SNIFFLE SNIFFLE.

It's the usual Post Congress Blues I suppose, but I think they will ebb as we get closer to Cairo and the excitements starts to build, mainly because we all get to see each other again! And I do have to admit that I am very excited to see Egypt. This is most likely moreso due to the fact that I know I will be staying in a SUPER swank hotel and I don't have to worry about adequate bathroom facilities or cleanliness or hot water or salmonella or hepatitis...one would hope.

Keep thinking back to what amazing friends I have made this year, and because of IPSF in general. The 8 of us on Exec left with such sadness because we knew we would be removed from each other's lives...potentially for good if we weren't careful. And Congress, and the crazy events within, brought some of us surprisingly close, which makes leaving all the more difficult. Thank GOD Tana is still here in The Hague for awhile so we can continue to break out in uncontrollable fits of laughter just by looking at each other.

Must try to get some sleep. Want ot resume Tae Bo asap, but should wait until the sniffles go away methinks.

back from Bonn...IPSF gone...broken hearted...seems like we just started...

I come to you from the cosiness of my own little space in the flat back in The Hague, bent, broken and absolutely drained from what amounted to be probably the most memorable 10 days of my life, and the end of yet another chapter.
As has already been written, there were many many good times, and lots of hard work. Exec meetings at 7am, and I don't think I went to bed before 3 any night, if we went to bed at all. I started going to these congresses in Budapest 4 years ago and hands down this was the best one yet, mostly because our Exec team really came together and worked hard but most importanly enjoyed each other's company and appreciated all the times we had together. It was tremendously difficult to keep it together over the last two days both in meetings and out - the greatness of the whole year was brought back, all the fantastic and crazy times, and we realized we will not be coming together for any particular reason after we meet in Cairo in two weeks. The tear fest was on the magnitude of pharmacy grad night, for any present, and it just started all over again when we climbed into the Jelte Mobile and drove back to The Hague. It's like that feeling of your stomach bottoming out when you see everybody leaving and not really knowing if you will ever see them again, although there were people there that I have met at every congress since Budapest. Always good times!
ANYWAY, enough blues, because it was a SMASHING success! Everyone had an amazing time, and commented on how successful our year was. There were more people than anyone can remember wanting to run for Exec positions, which we took as a huge compliment on how we have motivated everyone to become more and more invovled with IPSF. AND of course the people - I have to say that the Aussies and Kiwis (not to mention a few Dutch) once again rocked the parties and kept everyone in hysterics pretty much the whole time. My sides still hurt from laughing.
Our Former Exec will meet all together once more in Cairo (which I will madly launch back into planning upon my return to the office tomorrow) and I am sure when we have to say goodbye it will be a bawlfest all over again, as that time, the when and the where and the how we will meet again will yet to be determined.
My lack of sleep is making me overly sentimental, methinks....SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK! That being said in 2 weeks I have to do it all over again, so time to stock up.
So now my student days really are over...hmm that's pretty good to still be hanging on after two years ; )

the last stretch of the last GA of the last day on Exec...

We are sitting here, 17:31 on August 13th and in about one half hour I will no longer be on IPSF Executive. Weird. Although I am tired enough to smack someone in the head and am looking forward to sleeping longer then 2 hours at a stretch I believe it will be sad. I mean, after all, what's left now to fill the long hours between after work and bedtime? Might have to plan a campaign and send some long drawn out emails just for fun. HA! WHATever....time to relax. After Cairo of course.

The Bert Presentation went quite well. With Jelte looking over my shoulder while typing this (and the rest of the GA looking at is) it's hard to comment objectively of course, but Bert did seem to have a good time this year. He will be returning to Groningen to rest up and get ready for the next round of adventures. I hope Jelte takes him out every now and again.

The parties have been literally exhausting. I am just one person...

I have been interrupted by Jelte who feels the need to comment:

Bert will be locked in my new room. To protect Bert from been taken away from me.

Must jet...important meeting shtuff...

flour and water come together to make a paste...and a lovely exfoliant...

WELLLL the good times keep on rolling here in Bonn and last night was no exception.
INternational NIght, a tradiation of IPSF the world over, took place last night and once again proved to be a monumental event showcasing the vast talents of delagates acrosssss the laaaaand.

As I have been newly adopted as a Dutch resident my new found Dutch friends called me up to particiapte in the traditional game of their national association. I have no idea what it is called, and couldnät pronounce it if I did frankly, but it emcompasses having your hair sprayed orange then bobbing for candy, if you will. However, you first have to get the candy out of a bowl of water, and then out of a bowl of flour. This is supposed to be quite a delicate process, but my fellow IPSF Exec Member and good Dutch friend Jelte decided it was time to turn things "fraternity" and my whole head was then dunked in water, then flour (totally disrupting the points of course...) and quickly began to congeal. I have had 2 showers and was thrown in the hotel pool (more on that later...) and am still finding floury bits in my hair. And nose. I counter attacked with a mix of Tae BO and judo and sent the bowl of flour careening in his direction but only managed to hit the crazy mc Tony from Australia and an innocent bystander named Tommy from New Zealand.
That is not the end of the storý, OH no. THis year my outgoing executive committee wanted to do our own act, so immediately after the flour and feathering I was called up to introduce our group and lead us all in a groundbreaking rendition of Bohmemian Rhapsody karaoke that brought the house DOWN. DOW-AN. We got rave reviews. Someone was taking pics, as soon as I get back and get my computer back in order I will be sure to post them on the website.
At some ungodly hour we ended up back at the hotel and someone thought it would be SO FUNNY to haul off and shove me into the pool. Kind of a , we´re walking, we ´re talking, BASH Myr´s in the pool. Ánd so is all the leftover flour.
Today marks the downslide to the Congress - only three days left. SOB!! SOB SOB SOB!! The worst part is leaving all these fabulous people behind. Just like Lost in Translation: different place, special people, time of your life. *cue music*
Anyhoo I am supposed to be helping chair a scientific symposium at the moment. Should get back to it. TOnight is OKTOBERFEST NIGHT - BREAK OUT THE LEIDERHOSEN!! Hmm, tubed meat likely to be present...

Bonn Bonn Bonn Bonn BONNN TIMES

NOt much time to Blog these days as in usual IPSF Congress fashion the days are full and the nights are fuller!Coming to you live from Cologne, Germany where I am writing in the shadow of the grand cathedral here; breathtaking. AND...(wait for it...) have JUST stalked out a STARBUCKS here in Cologne and yes yes I know I should be sampling the local fare but these ´Bucks opps are very few and far between, must take full advantage.
Quick rundown - Germany is great, IPSF Congress has been absolutely INSANE crazy fun and have once again adopted the usual IPSF Congress Motto: SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK! GO HARD OR GO HOME! I ran 6 workshops and 4 meetings yesterday....and then celebrated with lots and lots of good times and good friends, old and new. Running on 3 hours sleep a night, if that, and LOVIN´ EVERY MINUTE OF IT!
Cologne is calling, must jet, Auf Wiedersehen!

Bonn aventura, thwarted with computer disaster

(ProBlog: am typing on a German keyboard so please excuse the more than occasional typo as sometimes the 'Y' eludes me....)

So far so "bon" in Bonn, as I finallz arrived yesterday after a few more train delays to have Lesley waiting for me at the train station, and all was well. It was SO SO SO GOOD to see her! And in our usual Canadian bonding way we got right into good times and laughing and laughing and laughing at jokes no one gets at all and everyone in general thinks were clinically insane. No one has any idea what weäre talking about, which makes it even funnier, and my sides hurt by the end of the night. I hope this is an indication of how the week will be, because I am ready for it. ALthough, there is an element of sadness still, that it is all ending....

But in other more frustrating news, the SCREEN on my laptop broke, so even though mz computer is running, I canät SEE ANZTHING to get the data, or work at ALL!!! AARRRGGGGHH!!! Hours and hours and hours of work on there that I need this week...not to mention all my photos and music (that I just REPLACED!!!) all unaccessible. Heading into the centre this aft to see what can be done about it. I had the funniest presentation....SOB!! Hopefully with any luck something can be done...otherwise I am really really SCRAWED.

So far so good on the German food. The only tubed meat so far was at a Bratwurst stand at the train station, which sent mz tthoughts immediately to my Dad who more than enjoys teh Brat and Beer combo. I even managed to get a salad at dinner. And of course tempting my weakness for sweet carbs is an incredible bakery minutes walk from the hotel.

Alright, now in search of a USB port on this CyberCafe computer to see what in fact I do have on this memory stick of mine and what I have to work with...

!@&#$^&!!(*@?!%^#&!! NS DUTCH TRAINS!!!

OOOOOH I AM SO STEAMING MAD....

APPARENTLY, there is roadwork on the train tracks to Utrecht today. APPARENTLY none of the trains are running as scheduled. APPARENTLY one needs to actually GO to the #%!!&! station and wonder where their train is to actually discover this. AND THEN one APPARENTLY has to book completely different train tickets to Germany to arrive THREE HOURS later than one originally planned because the FINE people at NS do not feel it is necessary to inform one of any of this.

AND THEN, one, despite all best efforts not to, needs to burst into tears at the ticket counter ONLY to discover, after a stop at the pharmacy to stock up on antacids, that all escalators to the trains and buses (back to the office, what's there to do at the station?) ARE BROKEN, making it virtually impossible to get luggage up several flights of stairs to the tram and bus stop. ONE SAYS SEVERAL BAD WORDS VERY LOUDLY as she gets in line for the 3rd taxi ride of the day.

AAAAAAAAAARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH

Someone better be waiting for me in Bonn with a large martini and an IV hook up.

"Bonn" Voyage

HA HA okay, I just couldn't resist the opportunity for a good pun, seeing as how in less than 2 hours I will depart for said city of Bonn to finally join the rest of my Exec for some "Bonn" times, as the French may say. ON FIRE today I am!! More like suffering the ill effects of less sleep than usual...my work suffers for my cause (hmmm, hope the FIP E-Letter has not also fallen victim).

Manic morning here at work as have been at it since 07h00, but think have managed to get everything under control with still some time to spare.

Emails Answered: Check

Mail Collected: Check

Necessary Phone Calls Made: Check

Taxi Ordred for 13h00: Check

Healthy Living and Diabetes Workshop Completed: One must first ask if such task was started, which is a big NEGATIVE. NEGATIVERINO. Project for the train...have till Sunday at 10h00. Do-able...

Someone has just sent me an email asking if I can have all the Cairo Media Releases translated into Arabic by Friday which for me means in an hour. MWAA HA HA HA I laugh, as there is nothing else to do with such a request at this particular moment.

Bonn times....Bonn times...

priorities! will someone please think of the Breakfast!

As this morning woke up with the tummy grumbling first thoughts turn to our Breakfast feature today. And seeing as how the other day was devoted to a monthly Retrospecticus, I think we should pay homage to that and put forth a choice from one of my recently visited countries; a breakfastspecticus, if you will.

So, back we go to Brazil where it is still hours before they start serving up the "queijo quente" and steaming hot milky coffees; fabulous morning treats that are thankfully available 24/7 in Myr's Breakfast Fantasy World and would sure take the edge off now. Mmmmmmelty Brazilian cheeeeeese. Wonder what breakfast will be like in Bonn...better not be all tubed meat.

Gotta put some good hours in at the office first, so time to remove self from coziness of bed.

some people make you happy because they are fabulous

As is the case this afternoon when I had the honour of being visited by my predecessor, who also happens to be an all round super ultra fabulous person, and great friend. She is one of those people you are thankful to know and are scared to think you could have gone through life without meeting had fate not twisted your paths. Even now when we find ourselves together as points in this bizarre triangle that has somehow been created we can laugh and know that it will all turn out in the wash.

OMG it's 16h30, time flies when you spend the afternoon chatting and never getting around to lunch and missing an entire staff meeting, hehehehehe ; )

between the serenity of ironing and the craziness of packing...

... I forgot Breakfast yesterday *gasp*

Today, however I have a hankering for something quite simple yet still equally unattainable here in The NL: my favourite cereal EVER, Honey Bunches of Oats!

Mmm, not only a favourite breakfast cereal (well, of the ones that were remotely healthy. I mean let's be honest, my KINGDOM for a box of 90% sugar Fruit Loops or Apple Jacks) but a favourite Uni study snack and perfect dinner time meal replacement. Ahh those were the days. The only place I think I have seen them here is at Schiphol for 9 euros a box. Must stock up when next at home.

Having lunch with v. good friend today who has been away for a whole month. Very much looking forward to having her back in the city and am hoping now that she is back in school and I am not, I can return all the gesturse of kindness and caring and "good times" that made my IPSF (read: unemployed) year all the more comfy.

JEEZ this "work" business is calling again...I mean do people really do this EVERY day??

; P

the therapeutic value of ironing

Perhaps it is the long suppressed Inner Nerd in me rearing its near-sighted head, but personally considering to be one of the most satisfying and calming activities is ironing. You take something dishevelled, crumpled, and in a state of sad, unpresentable disarray and turn it into something crisp and new and sleek and polished. And the simple act of doing so can make you feel the same way - throw the Keane CD on, crank open the steam spout, and in an hour you're feeling smoothed out. AND it doesn't put you back $90.

And should my mother be reading this she will be absolutely revelling in satisfaction as it is with her that I spent so many childhood hours fighting with regarding the wrinkly-ness of my clothes, and it was from her I learned the value and power of a well pressed outfit. I will never again leave the house with a visible crease that isn't meant to be there. Yes Mom, you may claim victory.

I have just written two paragraphs on ironing. I am reverting to Nerd-hood. Someone please stop me if I get out the calculus proofs just for fun (not that I ever DID, of course...why, what have you heard???)

But Zen and the art of ironing is but a mere secondary effect and not the reason, as I am preparing for Bonn and in the midst of compartmentalising the suitcase into footwear, businesswear, and partywear (oooh don't forget hair/shower care) am faced with the bittersweet truth that IPSF really is almost over. But, in reality, the best part of IPSF - the people, the fun, the trips - it will all still be there if I want it. I will see Tana and Scott and Lesley and Jelte, and Axel and Marko and Gina will be on board for next year. And in fact it truly is win-win, as the spirit will remain but the work will be passed to someone else. Brilliant.

What a weird night. My family is today celebrating a Civic Holiday in Canada by going to a favourite lakeside cabin resort (Sha Sha, ironically across the border in Minnesota) that grew famous for its mazes of outdoor gazebos with lake views, long island iced teas and burgers. And despite it being in the middle of nowhere surrounded by wilderness with nary a salad in sight, I wish I was with them.

I think I need to find something else to iron... : ' \

mobile technology eludes me once again

Have just spent 2 hours of both mine and The Boss' time in T-Mobile to what I thought was FINALLY get set up with the latest and greatest super swank MDA III T-Mobile Pocket PC, after an extensive investigation of the product last week. Of course thanks to the seemingly endless inability to get decent service in this country and the apparent penchant of T-Mobile to hire staff that is in a perpetual state of confusion, all I left with was a stomach ache.

*rain cloud rain cloud*

I wonder if there's any Pepto Bismol kickin' around downstairs...

July Retrospecticus

First one to arrive to work today, and upon reaching my desk was met with the reality that it is now August, there is no avoiding it any longer. As such, I suppose it's time to look back and tally up the month.

July 2005:

Flights taken: 4

Countries Visited: 2 (1 new!)

Starbucks Coffees Consumed: 5

Pairs of Shoes Purchased: 0 (is this some kind of record???)

Books Read: 3

International Congresses Helping to Plan: 2

Languages Learned: a work in progress (more time will be devoted to my Portuguese when all this International Congress business is over)

Photos Taken: ~ 130

Visits From Foreign Friends: 1

Dinner Parties: 3 (if you include take-out)

Friends Lost: 0 (thankfully)

Friends Gained: 1

Not a bad tally, although must admit to leaving some un-Bloggable bits out ; ) I am sure August will go by even quicker, and before I know it I will be Blogging the August Retrospecticus (or is that the Augustus Retrospecticus?)

Kind of under a blue rain cloud today...blah. Not any less punctuated by the fact that my colleague arrived back from being wined and dined at a swank hotel in Bangkok last week to tell me the Boss had just arrived and mentioned that if I'm the first one here I should be putting the trash out on the street. UM, OK. Not that I mind, just did not realize this was in the job description. *insert bad word here*

Better launch into some real work. Short week today, as Bonn is calling...

Sketch-o-rama Dutch TV

WHY, I ask you, do the Dutch feel it is necessary to pepper evening television past the hour of 21h00 with the most disturbing commercials of scantily clad females and their cell phones? There you are, innocently watching some version or another of CSI or Law and Order or whatever, and BAM Cell Phone Girls. Tonight I don't even have Tana on the other couching yelling "EWWWWWWW" every time they come on.

But AHHHHH, I have a whole nice clean spiffy flat all to myself. WHEEE!! Not that it means I"ll be vacuuming in the undies but at least the whole shower "room" is free for the showering and I can Tae Bo to my heart's content and emerge in a sweaty mess without offending anyone but myself.

WHY do I put these things in the Blog, WHY? *shrug*

Speaking of such, time for a nice "poor-replacement-for-a-jacuzzi-tub-but-not-a-bad-way-to-end-the-evening" shower, mmmm relax-o-rama!

Note to Self: Must replace the Body Shop supplies this week, running low.