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Diary From the Attic

Useful to Have a Wife and a Mistress

OK, so today was Sunday.  I have only discovered a bottle of Champagne in my the other room this morning and of course, I saved the bottle and the glass for later occasion.

A very gloomy day.  As always, the day passed by fairly fast.  The more I stayed in my new office, the most I missed the old one.  One day I may just tell Aurore that I want to move back to the big old one, with Mohamed, my buddy.

Today we had a meeting.  Indeed a very interest one.  I suppose I have done this against my profession. They were discussing the European Dollar.  During 1999 to 2004, customers can choose to have their transaction in ECC or FF.  Beyond 2004, FF will be replaced by ECC.  I think my company would like to charge them for my advice.  But I just want to learn more.

Today I went off with Mohamed, his friend Philip and Nicolas.  When four men together, what else will it be ? They were very interested in talking about women.  I guess everywhere is always the same.  Mohamed told me that it is very “useful” in France to have two women.  One is wife and the other is mistress.  I was kind of confused as I have never thought this is ever useful.  Maybe pleasurable.  In the end, he meant to say “usual”.

And before we boarded the train, Mohamed told me that VISION is his dream.  Then I replied, “I thought women is your dream.”  He then said, “No, it is VISION.”  And I said, “No, you should dream about women instead”.  In the end, Philip clarified that what Mohamed meant was “nightmare”.

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Diary From the Attic

Ice Cream Saved My Weekend?

I hated this weekend.  Nothing worked out fine to me.  Phone call to JP yesterday was a disastrous when it came into money matter.  Today I could not find her.  Phone call to my Mum this afternoon was even worst.  I am fed up with all the family matter.

Yesterday I was “rejected” from a restaurant (Lunch) because I was a bit too late.  I swear the waitress said that the restaurant only served desert right now.  If only I knew French.  Today I went up earlier and they don’t open on Sunday.

Today’s lunch was different.  I went into this Cafeteria, self-serviced type.  So I just have to pick any food I like.  Happened to pick the steak and chips, one roll, a fresh Pineapple (Don’t understand why nowadays I love fresh fruit so much.), and a Pepsi Max.  The counter (French Lady) was very friendly as I asked for some butter.  Very abnormal but I guess some people will treat others better regardless of color.  And I sat inside for a few hours, reading a novel.  The steak was half cooked (French doesn’t like to cook things thoroughly) and I did not finish the food at all.

And I wanted to watch a movie.  As I could not pronounce the title, so I wrote it in a piece of paper.  But they all thought I wanted to watch the Night Club Show (LIDO).  Stupid French.  And then I moved onto the next one, and it was full.  Treated myself some good ice cream in Haagen-Dazs (Etoile) instead.

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Diary From the Attic

A Lonely Day

What a lonely day.  Never felt that lonely before.  Must have been got sick with all the excitement already.

Got up very late, as intended.  My account is still unclear and unhealthy.  It really worries me.  Could have done a lot more before I left Singapore.

Today I wanted to do some shopping but not in the mood.  In the end, I wandered into Marks & Spencer and bought myself one set of underwear and one very cute shirt.  And then I saw some Modern Art (Jean Tinguely).  Still not convince and understand why they call it art.  I found all the art (old trash mechanical parts and motor and pulley and bell) very dark and if viewed alone, very scary.

French food and, too much wine again.

By the way, today I  spent quite sometime in FNAC.  I was watching a LD called Leon.  Got to say that show is still my favorite.  I really wanted to buy that LD.  Leon was so, cool and I loved the small girl, Mathilda.  She can really act.  Say to say that they only played one side.  I never got to see the ending.

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Bad Day at Work

Today was not my day.  First thing in the morning, my Jaz Drive went dead on me.  Late in the evening, my notebook’s floppy drive went dead on me.  But I have seen it all, been it all.  So no big deal.  Just have to accept that in life, things may not go as smooth as ever.

In terms of work, been a very productive day.  Good news is that I will have no SIR by the 7th August.  They will all belong to the Technical Team.  I really can see the day to get out of the prison. 

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Eating in Paris

It took 4 days for the French Technician to come and fix my network port.  I have been sharing the network port with Aurore.  In terms of work, there has not been anything being done at all.  But I am content.  At least I know that this trip is not chargeable, I do not feel the pressure at all.

Aurore has been quite cold to me nowadays.  I guess she is really busy and has to act like a boss.  Claude was right.  Aurore is young and she may scares that nobody will listen to her.  The office I am now working in is too small.  I do prefer the previous big room with all my good mates.

As for dinner, Claude has once again shown me a very nice restaurant.  I was the first customer and it was an Italian Restaurant.  As usual, my starter was rabbit and this time, as for main course, I tried something different.  Pasta with snails. Italian wine and fresh fruit salad as finale.  The atmosphere was very good. Light orange wall painting, my favorite.

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Long Legs Waitress at Planet Hollywood, Paris

Still very excited about the whole trip.  Must be the beginning.  In fact, as the hotel is very near to the office, I can actually leave the notebook at the hotel before going off for dinner.  And I can reach the restaurant say 6:30 pm and come back before 8 pm.  This gives me quite a lot of free time.

I love the hotel and I don’t want to go back.  Strange, isn’t it.

Tonight I went to Planet Hollywood and true enough, all the waitresses are as steaming, if not better, as before.  I reckon Planet Hollywood has the best waitresses.  I remember I have one souvenir from Hard Rock Café, so this time I wanted one from Planet Hollywood.  The drink was quite strong and I managed.  Actually promised myself not to give any tips this time, but hell, the long legs waitress was too pretty.

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Back in Paris

OK, I am back in Paris.  A different hotel, Renaissance, definitely a lot better.  Officially, each night cost FF1,850.  Bedroom, Study Room, Small Living Room, Toilet and Bathroom.  I am very satisfied with what I have.

I am really glad that I can connect to Lotus Notes via the digital phone line.  As I have always said, actively pursue what I want, I managed to get the cable from the Hotel.

Something called a King Pie (or something like that), one feet in diameter.  Inside each pie, there is a “charm” (feve in French).  Whoever get it will have to wear a crown on their head.  A very interesting culture.  Today, there was a gathering on pie eating.  With all the French, it was also boring as they never even put an effort in speaking English to me.

Went down to Virgin Store and everything seemed the same.  Gala’s “Freed from Desire” is still number one.  Kind of a very funny experience.  Not much difference as compare to 3 weeks ago.  Even the songs in M6 are the same.

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Diary From the Attic

Yet Another Day of Triviality

Human being never learn from their past mistakes. Every morning I promise myself I will sleep early. But it has never been done.

Actually it is very late right now, therefore I have to keep it very short.

Basically, there are 4 items for today.

  • Jenny fetched me to work in her husband’s car because her husband was out of town.
  • I spent most of my time finding and setting up a digital modem. Whether it will work or not, have to test it in Paris.
  • HIV Game. Only three of us. In the end, we decided to have a Virtual Head Hunter.
  • I can now reach the uncensored version of Internet!

Edit: May 10, 2008 – I cracked my brain and can’t recall what “HIV Game” is.  Huh?!  And that uncensored Internet, I think, was referring to CompuServe.

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Woke Up Late

What a horrible day.  This morning I woke up, looked at the clock and found that I was 45 minutes late as compared to my usual wake up time.  Total panic.  Quickly showered and dressed up, got into a non air-conditioned bus and only got a place to sit half way through my trip.  Fell asleep and nearly missed the bus stop.  Arrived at the office 15 minutes late.  Well, the conclusion is I can actually wake up half an hour later.  Wonder what I spent half an hour on.

I was so tired the whole day.  Achievement of today: I have found out that my HDB flat waiting period is roughly 3 years from now.  That means I can only move into my new place 5 years later.  By then I will be near to my 30.  I think the only consolation is that I should be relatively financially sound as compare to an early marriage.

Went with Francis and Zen Pin to a Japanese Restaurant at somewhere near AIA building.  Very good food and probably ordered more than we could eat.

I always promise myself that I will sleep early but I never do. By the way, Sophie from Paris managed to get me the hotel I wanted.  What a great news !

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Diary From the Attic

Prepare for Departure

Ever since I have the notebook, I have lost a seat in the office.  Last time, I was used to occupy one place (3 computers) claiming that they were for VTF Support.  Now that I have a notebook, I suddenly became homeless.

Today, in terms of personal administration, I was quite successful.  Have extended my temporary increased in credit limit.  Got my visa.  Sorted out my flights (SIN-PAR, PAR-US, SIN-HK).  Meet up with Edwin Lee but forgot to pass him the Eiffel Tower miniature.  Met up with my girlfriend and had a dinner in Planet Hollywood.  One thing not perfect was that I could not find the digital to analog phone line converter.  I have tried my best and if in the end I cannot dial to Lotus Notes, I resign to fate.

Another example of “Actively pursue what I want”.  I wanted upstairs (Planet Hollywood) and if I did not ask for it, most probably I would not get it.