This is a post I started weeks ago. Things have changed, but I'm going to post it anyway, just so everyone can compare and contrast (and I'm so lazy that I feel like not putting up these few words that I already typed would be too much of a waste of energy).
Here is what I had: "These last few weeks (editors note: that was March) have been uneventful, overall. Uneventful, perhaps isn't the right way to put it... unproductive is more like it. The underfloor heating is still unfinished and the cardboard is getting ragged. Some day.
"I have been spending a lot of time out and about. A lot of fun, overall, but it really destroys productivity. Not waking up on the weekends until 5pm doesn't allow for much home improvement. Especially considering everything is closed by then. I will start going out less. Soon."
My first try at making beef brisket. Notice the mopped off handle. That was the work of a 36" bolt cutters and angle grinder. I could never fit that pan in the oven due to the handle sticking out too far. Now I can and I have used it a lot. I'm not sure how I got along without it. Giant cast iron is pretty sweet.
The fence has been broken and fixed a few times. Here is the first set of broken pics. I will put up some 'fixed' pics soon. Lesson learned on fixing the fence: a 6' x 6' fence panel attached to the roof of your car wants to act like an airplane wing. Even if you think you have it tied down tightly, try to tie it down better.
Making some progress on the bathroom. I still have to kneel in the shower like the Terminator because I haven't sealed or grouted the travertine. Soon.
I haven't parked behind my flat for some time because the lovely neighbors have so much garbage out there that it's not even worth me moving it anymore. That would be all fine and good, but the kids were hitting my car (parked in the street) with a soccer ball tonight. I love my neighborhood so much.
I held a secret/surprise birthday party for myself. That was almost a month ago. It was a lot of fun, I got to spend my birthday with friends, and everyone thought they were just there to hang out. Suckas.I will have some more updates to add soon. Some real progress has been made on the floors. Oh, wait, I should add some pictures of my last trip. We went to Nice, France and Monte Carlo, Monaco earlier this month:
Monte Carlo from the area around Prince Albert's Palace. It was a pretty cool city with some crazy expensive (some $100M or more) yachts moored in the harbor.
This is from the town, overlooking the main harbor, facing Prince Albert's Palace area. Speaking of expensive boats, the second from the left in this picture belongs to some Saudi Prince and is the 11th largest superyacht in the world. It has a helicopter landing pad, but as Sheila pointed out, no helicopter. Couldn't spring for the premium package.
We went to the casino. No tuxedo required. I would have to argue that if watching a bunch of old people lose thousands of Euros to the roulette wheel is the most fun to be had in Monte Carlo, then rich people are pretty boring. Considering how small the town was, I was really unimpressed with the Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, etc parked in front of the casino. In fact, we saw a guy leaving his place in a Ferrari 3 blocks from the casino. If you are so concerned that people see how much money you spent on your car that you are unwilling to walk 3 blocks to go to the casino (what did the valets and parking cost, I wonder), then that reeks of nouveau riche to me.
Le Chateau in Nice was a nice area. It was originally a fort, but then dismantled after the city was conquered.
The Nice beach from atop Le Chateau.
