My daughter just sent this link to me with important information for Valentine's Day.

Never could stomach the escargot. Did drink a lot of the wine. And ate steak frites - love those and have not been able to replicate properly here in the US (for those who have not had the pleasure of being in southern france, a steak frites is a thinly sliced steak and you put it in a long bun, like a sub bun but of course it's french bread, and underneath it is greasy fries and you salt the whole thing with sea salt. It is really wonderful - and a cholesterol nightmare. But very good.) I can get sort of close making it at home but the meat is of course different (and I don't want to think about why that might be.)

What I didn't like about the folks in Paris was their overall wishey washeyness about being rude. It was pretty much 50/50. The folks in the countryside were lovely, very patient and actually allowed me to attempt my meager language skills without laughing too terribly hard in my face.

The Parisians however, were either terribly rude or terribly nice..I prefer 100% rude (Italy for instance) to 50/50 any day!

I'm sure the lovely little french teenager from the Louve who I had a run in with would tell you all americans are monsters. (I think when I suggested she assist her countries tourisim efforts by stepping infront of a bus kinda set her off).

(or not, with this crew, that conversation could degenerate quickly.)


It appears this has already taken place, from the topic of the orginal post. Came to look for some info. on the subject of National Alerts and this thread was the most current one. Enjoyed all the extra information.

I blame Dawnie.

::pointing at ExGovBabes in general:: SHE DID IT!

(Actually I think Mr. Z started us off with the cereal stuff) LOL

I'm impressed Don - of course from a Marketing perspective, I am now churning my brain to find a way for you to package your CRA and wine knowledge skills into a combined service offering. Off the top of my head, I would say figuring out ways to lend money for creating vineyards in low-moderate income areas which would promote economic stabilization.

Yeah, yeah, the Z-man isn't here right now, let's blame HIM!

Does anyone else feel that some people are taking this orange national alert WAY to seriously? I completley understand the seriousness of this matter, but I am not about to scare any of our employees or customers. We still have our lives to live. I do think it is important for us to stay alert and understand what is going on around the world, but I wish the government would refrain from scaring some people into stocking up on enough groceries to last them 5 years.

Heh Heh, You know when I went to Europe last time I couldn't convince the boss that we might some day want a branch in Italy...thereby forcing the bank to pay for my "Scouting" trip....but with this CRA gig!!!! Woo Hoo!!! Anyone want to work at my low income vinyard? The wine is crappy but the scenery is great!!!

Kara, I completely agree. Maybe they still have their Y2K supplies and will not have to stock up.

Hey, that was just my picture and I believe I was asked about it. I think I would have been Parisian-like rude to have not answered. Hey, this is my 499th post, do you think I will get my 500th this season.

I think I should be crowned "King of Judicious Posting"--I have been a member for quite a while, but only have 499 posts. And at least 3 or 4 of them were banking related.

Perhaps they were upset with me because I bought all of the size 6 or 38 shoes in Italy?

I adore Germany...they don't mind selling me their shoes and they let me fumble with their language alot more patiently than the French.

No one ever comes up to me trying to speak Scottish or Irish...I guess I should carry my bagpipes next time I travel

Trust me, pushing 40 is a heck of a lot easier than dragging it way behind you.

Yes, Kara, I'm with you. Does anybody else notice that it happens to be February (sweeps) month and all the news channels are complaning that their viewership is way down? The last news conference I saw given by the mayor of my city was conducted with a "yea, yea, big deal" attitude. My city has been at "orange alert" for all this time already. Not to say security here isn't very tight, it actually is (and don't tell anyone I said this..but they are doing a good job) Is the duct tape and the plastic sheet manufacturers the same parent company? I really am not that cynical a person, but I do believe this is getting just a little overblown. (PS wouldn't you have to know IN ADVANCE to seal the windows for it to do any good?)

Of course, all of this is assuming that everyone in the family is home at the time that they need to be. My luck, I'll be 100 miles away watching my son play baseball. That would be high school, so of course, we will be outside.

You didn't leave me any size 6 shoes? Waaa!

From one shoe nut to another -- you'll appreciate this pic I took 3 years ago when I was donating some of my footwear to a local Suited for Success charity. (Gave me an excuse to buy more!)

SHOES!

That's a classic, MB!

Oddly enough, in my family, I'm the one with 'too many shoes,' (at least according to my wife.) Of course, my new puppy is determined to remedy the situation...

Kara,
I tend to agree to a point, but a little awareness can go a long way. Especially when the OCC's Alert reminds us about the access to our HVAC to shut off to strangers and to pay attn to strange packages. My branch personnel would allow anyone! into the AC room or equipment room where the telephone and network servers are located.

Hey, Dawnie owns lots of stock in LOWES, and we all know it! Where else do you find the colored tape?

In reply to:

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You didn't leave me any size 6 shoes? Waaa!

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Oh, to be able to say my feet were that small!!! I think I was 12 years old the last time I saw size 6. Of course, my Mom says my size 9's mean I have a good understanding . . . especially for someone shorter than 5'4".

Same as me. My grandfather used to tell me I had a 'good understanding'.

You know what Pee Wee Herman said about big shoes:

"It's like they say: Big Shoes, Big Feet."