American Frog

be safe get a zune :)

iPod Nano catches fire in man's pocket - Network World

Ok so it might be the most watched video this weekend but i couldn't resist

ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY A M A Z I N G!

AFP: France stun New Zealand to reach World Cup semi-final

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Tonight was the night. It had to happen. I told Alec it would happen. I told him about my scrapped knees, elbows, broken arms and bloody noses. That it is part of the riding experience and a part of growing up - some rite of passage.  So yep he fell, he spilled, he crashed on some nice hard concrete. Oh yeah the skin broke, oh yes there was some blood and gravel under the skin. Poor Alec, he was baptized tonight falling off his bike. The funny thing is that he fell twice on the same knee; the first was uneventful and he got straight back on his ride. the second woke the entire neighborhood and i would not be surprise if his grand parents in Paris heard the desperate “this time it REALLY REALLY HURTS” cries. I had to bribe him to get back on his bike. Two cookies did the trick. It’s funny how life his, i remember when i was the one with the bruise, now i am the one cleaning  and healing. the wheel turns.. In some ways today is as memorable for me as the day Alec started riding his bike without the training wheels.... Boy do i love being a dad....

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Alec had a wonderful weekend. We went bike riding on saturday am in a nice park by a small nearby lake, and then picked up buddy julian and headed to remlinger farm: a tradition for kids and their parents alike in western washington. We could park on the main lot, so we knew then it was too early in the season, so there were no pumpkins or any halloween scarecrow or other stuff, but on the plus side, there were no crowds. The kids could go on any ride as many times as they wanted and never had to wait in line - and they did. A huge plus, those lines can be really aggravating - when you are hungry and ten families stand firmly between you and your burger. Sunday did not start so well. Alec got up on the wrong foot and it took until noon to clear the air. Lucky for him, his buddy christopher came over and they spent a few hours enjoying the afternoon sun in the hottub and building legos. And then after his bath, more friends stopped by and brought us along on an early evening bike ride. We picked more people on the way and ended up being a convoy of kids and parents on their bikes ride along in the same direction. Then and only then, it was about 7:00 did i sit down with a drink. Not complaining, just stating the facts, only the facts.

Speaking about france, there are a few interesting seminars coming up in June if you are plannig a trip to France this summer (yes before september per the comments in the previous post)

here's a quick description of each of those classes on the seattle eastside.

i believe they're filling in fast, so don't wait too long if you are interested.

When in Paris do as the Parisians do: This informative 3-hour program is delivered in English. It takes you around the French capital and highlights major sights and fun things to do. Includes a very entertaining slide show and a many travel resources to help you plan your trip. Click here to sign up online

Survival French for the Traveler: This fast-paced 3-hour program introduces the basics of French pronunciation and focuses on useful travel expressions. One of our most popular programs.
Click here to sign up online

The Riches of France: Plan an Unforgettable Vacation:. NEW in 2007! This fast-paced 3-hour presentation takes you all over France and highlights favorite French vacations. Do not plan your trip without it!
Click here to sign up online

Source: Welcome to Learn French in Seattle

Changes in the UK, changes in France - it seems that we're heading for a period of transition in Europe. With Brown closer to the European stance on the war in Iraq overall and Sarkozy in France with a stronger willingness than his predecessor to engage in the fight against terrorism worldwide.  The next few months will be interesting to watch for sure: you can expect strikes in France. I read yesterday that students at one of the main universities already went on strike - before Sarkozy is inaugurated. why? they say it is a preemptive strike against future reforms. This is incredible.  If I have a more serious piece of advice, it is to think carefully if yoiu are planning a trip to France in the later part of September. Whether you agree with it or not is irrelevant here,  given Sarkozy's new agenda, you should expect monstrous strikes that will paralyze the country for days, if not weeks at a time.

Link to Brown launches UK leadership bid - Blair steps down - MSNBC.com

Quote

1. the furnace called it quits the day after thanksgiving - and is still not fixed. do NOT use Bell Red Heating, they are flat-out incompetent.
2. We got snowed in for three days, like many folks in our hilly area - i had to go to work and had to borrow my wife's car, three days in a row - not good on relationship to have your wife stranded at home with no heat when it is freezing outside. not good.
   
3. alec, our 6 year old caught a really bad case of croup -making it hard to breathe and impossible to swallow at peak times and prompting to cancel all our weekend social events and instead spending time a steamy bathroom to open his airway.
   
4. and i saved the best for last... i got bit back a dog (a dalmatian that i know) - yes it broke the skin. actually the dental imprint of my left thigh looks like a smiley (two big holes for the canines and a row of smaller pin holes for other teeth). this is a new experience, trust me it does hurt.
   
5. so the net of it, is that it may be wise to stay away from me for a few days..