Tag: france

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Diary From the Attic

A Good Relationship is Give and Take

A very productive day.  5 SIR down the tube.

After lunch, while we walked back to the office, we saw a rabbit right hiding in the bush in from of the building.  And during the afternoon, the porter was trying to catch it (I saw it during the coffee break).   Later on, I had a chat with the porter and found that they believed that the rabbit is a domestic one and it will not be able to survive in the cold.  The funny thing is they are going to form a team and catch it during the weekend.  One of the secretary wanted to keep it.

Today, we have the King’s Pie again.  It was at the SocGen Tower (the main one) and the pie definitely tasted a lot better (as it was hot) than the last one.  The Tower is really fascinating.  There is a big, huge artistic thing hanging in the air and guess what underneath.  A “pool”.  Today, me and Wilfrid (Paris) while admiring the thing, actually stepped into the “pool” as it really look like mirror floor.

In the end, I decided to have dinner in the hotel and beside me sat an old couple from Ireland (but without Irish accent).  We talked and interesting enough, they have married for 31 year.  And the lady’s parent actually married for 60 years.  I asked what is the secret in keeping such a good relationship and they told me that it is give and take.  You can’t just win every battle.  I guess they are right.

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Diary From the Attic

Choosing between Mylene Farmer and a Night Out with Friends

I woke up in the morning, on my TV and guess what?  I saw one Mylene Farmer’s music video one after the other.  It is a cable TV, MCM, and today was supposed to be Mylene Farmer Special Day (or something like that).  I watched until I have missed my breakfast and I was late for 15 minutes.

I was supposed to dine with Claude and Mohamed tonight and I was contemplating on whether I should stay at the hotel and watched the Mylene Farmer concert at 7:30 pm.  In the end, I chose to go out with them as very seldom I can dine with someone.

It was Arabic food.  A very small but popular restaurant.  Claude was treating and Mohamed insisted on giving him back FF100.  As for me, I “treated” them the desert at Haagen-Dazs. 

And I have spent most of night surfing the net.  It is very addictive.  And it wasn’t anything erotic at all.  It was Mylene Farmer’s Web Pages.

Thinking of getting a flat in year 2000 really excited me as I really sick of renting already.  I want a home of myself, in the very near future.  So far, I still believe in dream hard, hope hard and it may come true.

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Diary From the Attic

Luxury in Paris

Same old story. I slept late last night and hence, I felt quite bad this morning.  Nevertheless, I had a great breakfast at 08:55.  Luxury can only be happened in Paris.

In terms of work, it is again the same old story.  Got a few bugs off the list.  Transfer knowledge to Wilfrid (Paris), whom called himself Willy.  They told me that they have requested a PC for me and will come maybe next week.

Tonight was quite a different night.  Couldn’t believe that I have spent more than one hour walking around in Paris looking for a restaurant and finally ended up where I started from and had American Food.  The food was no good and I didn’t enjoy.  I enjoyed the cocktail though, as I am quite sick of the French food.

Watched a movie, “The Portrait of a Lady” and didn’t understand a single.  But I love Nicole Kidman, so what the hell.  I watched a show that has my favorite star in it.

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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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Diary From the Attic

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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Diary From the Attic

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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Diary From the Attic

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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From the Attic Reflection

Looking Back on 1996

As I have promised myself on the last day of 1996, I will review what I have done in the last year. And hopefully, I live a better life in the year 1997.

As I was playing my guitar tonight, singing the song “Nobody Knows”, I remembered my days back in the US.  Indeed, that was one of the happiest moment of year 96, or perhaps my life.  Being influenced by US culture (movies, music, and jeans) for so long, it was the first time I have ever stepped into the land of liberty.  I still remember the excitement in me when I first landed at the San Francisco Airport. The limousines. Everything seemed so different – the roads, the buildings and even the air.

I drove into Chicago so many times and I could not remember how often.  I was with Collin all the time. Great friend to be with.  I still remember we got lost initially all the time and eventually, he directed and I drove.

Three weeks in St. Charles.  I hang out with Collin, Yoshito (Japanese man), Mitzi (Korean lady) and another Australian lady.  Great friends to be with. The drinking parties in my room and the lovely conversation with Collin and the beautiful Mitzi.  Life was good.

Vividly I remembered a pub with a large dance floor, country style.  Collin and I left the party without telling Mitzi, who was too busy dancing with all the guys on the dance floor.  And she was not happy when she knew that.  The next day, before she and her friend flew back to wherever they came from (Australia), we had a conversation by the fireplace.  Some random topics and Collin and I saw them into the bus.

And then, I felt a sense of emptiness.  Suddenly all the friends were gone.  And I was back in Singapore, facing the hot sun.  The whole period in US was like a fairy tale.

Yet, there was another fairy tale – my two trips to Paris.  The first one lasted for 5 days and the second one lasted for 60 days.  The BNP promotion with Francis was fun.  We had great food and since we are not the fuzzy type, we can get along very well.  I showed him Paris whenever we had time.  The other trip was for Societe Generale.  During the first 3 weeks, I had Damien with me.  I miss those days with Francis.

Life in Societe Generale was pretty peaceful.  Work started at 9 in the morning and usually ended at 6 in the evening.  The people there were very nice.  Sad to say, Sophie, Claude and Lionel left for Sydney in the middle of my stay.  But my days with Aurore, Noubi and Mohammed was great.  Especially Mohammed, we called each other brothers.

Weekdays after work, I usually went downtown to have my dinner.  As for weekends, I always started from La Defense and ended up in Paris center at night.  One movie and one meal and back home.  During nighttime, I composed electronic messages that captured my feeling and observations during the day.

The food was good.  The MTV in the morning was good.  The French music was good. By the way, I felt in love with Mylene Farmer.  Her music is just fantastic.

During those days back in Paris, someone thought that I was lonely.  But I was not, I was in another state of mind. If I had my guitar with me, I would have composed a lot of great songs.

Back in Singapore, I am glad that I know Sam as a friend.  He has introduced me into his circle of friends (which is big).  Through him, I know a lot of people.  Although they are all men, I don’t really mind.  All the Wednesday night out, cheap dinner, and Karaoke.

Enough of stating what happened in year 96, but that was not the main topic in here.  What could I have done better, hopefully in year 97 ?

The New Motto: To actively pursue what I want.  I have been too passive.  Not determined enough. Always avoid the reality.  Must face it and direct the future into whatever I dream of.

Action: To plan and stick to it.  I must treat my personal life as yet another project.  To self improve or to exercise?  It must be planned and followed.

Beware : Spend within budget.  I have been spending too much money on things that may not be necessary.  This is no good and must change.  I must keep track on how money is spent and plan for future saving.

Goal: Must list out all the goals I want to fulfill this year.  Thought goals, I will have motivation.