Back in NC and almost adjusted to a “normal” Eastern US sleep pattern.
My work computer needs a re-image and so I am kinda dead in the water as far as doing significant work. Just emails and skype but that is probably enough for the moment.
Over the past few years I have had the great fortune to visit 5 continents (I have not made it to Australia or Antarctica – YET), cross the equator in both hemispheres, meet and work with people form dozens of countries, and see some of the most incredible natural and man-made structures in the world.
What can you say after you have been around the world? (Other than I need some sleep?)
What a wonderful world
I see trees of green…….. red roses too
I see em bloom….. for me and for you
And I think to myself…. what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue….. clouds of white
Bright blessed days….dark sacred nights
And I think to myself …..what a wonderful world.
The colors of a rainbow…..so pretty ..in the sky
Are also on the faces…..of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands…..sayin.. how do you do
Theyre really sayin……i love you.
I hear babies cry…… I watch them grow
Theyll learn much more…..than Ill never know
And I think to myself …..what a wonderful world
Through a very odd set of circumstances I met a guy from RTP while in Malawi. Who knew that I the only American I would meet in Africa would be from my home state?! There is a long and good story associated with that event.
Here are some photos from Jonathan that you might enjoy:
The sun is going down in Vienna and, if all goes well, the next sunset I see will be Saturday night in Western NC.
Today I dropped by the IUFRO Headquaters and then Michael took me over to his house outside the city. Vienna is very “green”. Lots of parks and trees and open space, still it was great to get out of the city and see more of the country side. I even saw the begining (or ending) of the Alps – depending on your point of view.
Vincent: you know what the funniest thing about Europe is?
Jules: What?
Vincent: It’s the little differences. I mean, they got the same shit over there that we got here, but it’s just – it’s just there it’s a little different.
Jules: Example?
Vincent: All right. Well, you can walk into a movie theater in Amsterdam and buy a beer. And I don’t mean just like in no paper cup, I’m talking about a glass of beer. And in Paris, you can buy a beer at McDonald’s. And you know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris?
Jules: They don’t call it a Quarter Pounder with Cheese?
Vincent: Nah, man, they got the metric system. They wouldn’t know what the fuck a Quarter Pounder is.
Jules: What do they call it?
Vincent: They call it a “Royale with Cheese.”
Jules: “Royale with Cheese.”
Vincent: That’s right.
Jules: What do they call a Big Mac?
Vincent: A Big Mac’s a Big Mac, but they call it “Le Big Mac”.
Jules: [in mock French accent] “Le Big Mac.” [laughs] What do they call a Whopper?
Vincent: I don’t know, I didn’t go into Burger King.
Wanna get to know a city? Try using public transportation. This morning I switched hotels (again) and used public busses, trains, and a cable car to go the few miles down the road towards the city centre. Moving around Vienna this way gave me no great epiphanies but perhaps it did give me a little more insight into a city and its people rather than using a rental car or riding a tour bus. (Maybe I will try to the tour bus tomorrow!)
The camera work sucks on this video but the music is great. (They need to hire a better camera guy – or maybe now the guy who did this video has better skills. After all he can catch fish in Finland!) I also hear tell that Sons of Ralph have a new CD ready for release at the end of August!
