There is nothing to say about Watford

We land in Dusseldorf and have just enough time to get the keys to our apartments, drop off some bags, repack and head to the airport to fly to London. Wow, I thought - London will make the fast turnaround worth it and we'll be there for two weeks for training.... WRONG. Scratch that. We will be in Watford, 20 minutes outside of London, for training.

Two days in and it was quickly determined, if we were going to make it through two weeks, we had to get out of Watford and into London.

 They must lose a lot of tourists each year - this is painted on the streets of downtown London.

 We had to do the double-decker bus tour. It was cold though - and we didn't last long upstairs.

 Tafalgar Square Lions - the most photographed statues in the world. We tried to climb on them - but with little success... Cute kids always seemed to make their way to the front of the line.

 The expats in our UK office took us out to dinner- but first we went to this adorable bar... I mean Pub, for a drink.

Later on at dinner, this sign was at the top of the staircase.

"Don't fall down the stairs!"

 Proof I saw the Tower Bridge.

 Decent picture of the Tower Bridge.

Cool cars were EVERYWHERE so I was in heaven. Here is a Lotus at the train station.

There was one decent thing we found in Watford. Bodega's - a pub that had an amazing fireplace mantle with wax from years of burning candles.

 "Beware of Hot Dripping Wax!" I guess the English have something on posting signs about the obvious.

Looks like I will be in the Watford area at least once a month while I am here. Wish me luck in finding something else besides a mantel with wax on it!

Until next time. Auf Wiedersehen.

I live in Germany! ...What?

So, it is official. I've made the move to Germany.

Glen and I set this blog up so we could keep everyone up to date on our adventures in Europe - but thus far, it's been filled with the mustache challenge and a few other gems Glen has posted. This is my first post.

Leaving Boston was hard. MUCH harder that I expected and nothing I was prepared for. I don't think I'm the most emotional person - but I couldn't help but cry most of the afternoon of my departure. At some point I realized the following: I arrived to Boston in a U-Haul on 10/31/01... I was flying out of Boston on 10/31/09...eight years to the day!

The morning I left - I was packing, wondering why I had left so much to do at the last minute when I knew this was happening for months. When I finally zipped up the last bag - it was time to start saying my goodbyes to Glen's family and a couple friends. To say I was a mess would be an understatement. Tears, hugs and more tears.

Just when I started to pull it together, Glen's family met us at the airport... tears again.

It was a great send off and I wouldn't have done it any other way. I am surrounded by amazing friends and family.
Thank You.

Here is a picture of Glen and I having my last Sam Adams for a while in the Logan airport. The blur of the photo seemed like appropriate symbolism for the entire day.

Jenn takes to the lanes

There was beer.

There was kanoodling.  Check out these star crossed lovers:

In Chuck and Dana's defense, they lost graciously.

To Venier.

Mike brought his intensity,

His lady,

And his A game. 

I'd like to use this image as the icon for a future production company.

"Kock Em Down Pictures" 

"Lane Nine Films"

...?

Jenn's going away party was held at Kings Bowling Alleys in Dedham, MA. 

More from the fray:

Mike and Kate continued to strategize.

Dano mited.  I stashed.

Free Shoes!

Alas the beer was not free.

CL began to Smooth.

 

Jenn had fun.

No looking back.

No worries.

You've got this.

Its possible the last post ended a little badly

...and while I recognize this is how obsessive blogging begins (although few would accuse me of anything obsessive-I still don't like to bear the stigma of such labels.  I'd rather dream about great white sharks and out running motorcycle cops.)  But here's a better ending. 

Here's Chris, Chuck and Bayla on the porch couch.  Notice the shirt of Capt Kenny, M.D. (network sitcom/drama concept?)  It was bought on a Yosemite camong trip a couple summers back.  I have the same.

Sayanora?

Yo,

This might be the end of the Aaron Miller Mustache Challenge.  (4 weeks and 75 shaves in the bag- do the math.) Look at how good I look.

Lately we've been celebrating how great it is that Jenn is going to Germany (b/c we're all going to visit her) and how sad it is she's leaving (b/c we're all going to miss miss her.)

This is Jenn with Bayla, after she had celebrated with friends.

This is me betting on the tensile strength of a lampshade vis-a-vis a mediumly grown pumpkin.  Pardon me while I quickly google "tensile strength"...ok, I spelled that right- the first time m'er effers!

I should probably wrap this up..so here's Jenn and I at the JP Lantern Festival on Sunday...google it.   

Wouldn't have known about festival except for good friend Jamie, who happened by wearing fashionable daughter accesory Addison (Add-eeee-son) strapped to her chest.  Thanks Jamie!

Blue Hills in Autumn

Jenn, Mike and Kate and I find "the secret spot"

Can you see the chairs?  Some artist made em.  Of his own volition.  He also makes furniture from wood gathered in the Blue Hills.  I'd like some of that.  The chairs were comf and they had a great view.

MAAAAAAAASSACHUSETTS.  City of Boston.

This is who led us to the secret spot.  Fran and Earl.  I think.  We weren't sure if we were going to get kidnapped, robbed, etc.  But they seemed nice and harmless.

Mike getting artsy in the woods:

Me and B...going to miss the dog.

Der Zweit!

Week 2 of M.C. nears completion. 4 shaves=8 dollars, Mr. Miller.

Early:

Late:

Highlights included visitng the dentist and trying to justify new 'stache to fellow philosophy students: ("Men with moustaches are more esoteric!")

One thing I like about my squirrel 'stache: I don't have to shave my upper lip, so shaving is much more pleasant.

One thing I hate: I'm constantly playing with it, turning it into a bristly face guard of static electricity.