Grindelwald

Here is the view from hotel Kirchbühl in Grindelwald, Switzerland.

If you have the means, I highly recommend it.

Quick update

My life lately consists primarily of work, plus hanging out with Puying a bit, and with friends a bit. Last week I did a couple of bike rides with Re-Re, which was great. This week there has been some rain. Last night we saw the Wayne Shorter Quartet playing with the Koninklijke Concertgebouworkest - would have preferred just the WSQ, but it was still pretty good stuff. I was loving the bassist, Patatucci, who smiles whilst he plays, and the drummer Blake (or Blade?) who is youngish (1970) and wore shades throughout. Tomorrow (actually today) we depart for a holiday trip to Portland OR and San Francisco - Modesto - Palo Alto - Capitola CA. Should be fun. Lots of family ones to see and some sightseeing and some good friends.

Kitty in a bucket

By popular demand

OK, OK, OK, OK, one more picture, since you ask so nicely.

Coon Kitty is not amused

PFK becomes Puying

Picked her up this weekend. Working name is Puying, Thai for "woman" -- the original name I wanted to give her, Farsi for "cat", turns out to sound slightly obscene in Dutch. :-(

Staples

True story. I came across the following in a Q&A from my American colleagues (names have been changed / removed to protect the innocent) (emphasis mine)...

Q. How sensitive is the industry to an economic cyclical downturn?

A. Because the technology is used for a diverse set of purchases (including staples such as gas, grocery and fast food), we believe the industry is insulated from an economic downturn

Well, all that fast food will definitely insulate you from something! -ed.

Had a good week

My baby sister was visiting for a week. It was so fun to be together -- nobody understands my sense of humor like she does. Now I know how my dad feels when I come over and actually laugh at his jokes. Well, sometimes.

The sun has been shining around here for over a month. This is not normal. But hey, I'm not complaining. As of the way home from my run about 15 minutes ago it started raining a tiny bit. Guess my sister took the sun back to her place.

Next week I am one night in London and the week after: 3 nights Israel, 3 nights St. Petersburg! If my Russian visa comes in time, that is. Toothy grin.

Last weekend we were up in Groningen visiting some friends and their farm. The cutest things were the lambs and their very small cat. (Our cat, Coon Kitty, is very large.) The baby seals in Pieterburen didn't do much for me, to be perfectly frank. Monday it was Koninginnedag (Queen's Day) and we had great fun out on the water. Pictures perhaps to follow. Meanwhile, an updated shot of Potential Future Kitten. Still alive, but you never know. Note from her current captor indicates potty-trained and eating solids.

Signing off.

Potential Future Kitten

You never know what's going to happen, but here she is:

We are going to visit her this weekend.

I'm back

Perhaps you missed me, perhaps not... I know I missed myself. After a few months almost fully underwater with work, a week's holiday in the Caribbean and a week's recovery / residual stress, I'm starting to feel like life goes on at a sustainable pace -- yup, breathing without a snorkel again. Even if it is only temporary, I'm lovin' it! And the sun is shining, supposed to be 23 degrees (C) today, trees are budding, yah! I'm off to play (as they say)...

Yo homes, smell ya later!