Work....so taxing

Sorry for the terrible pun in the title, me being a tax accountant and all, but I just couldn't resist. It's been a while since I've blogged, and I totally agree with Ulli that it's a lot like running....getting your shoes laced up and hitting the pavement is the hardest part. Speaking of Ulli, as he said he made it out to Chicago for the wedding. It was good to see at least one of the old Barcelona faces there---hopefully more can make it over for the housewarming. That's my latest news--Kathy/Kasia and I bought a condo on Chicago's northwest side. It's a nice little 2 bedroom, older building but newly renovated. We'll be in a building totally inhabited by Polacks, but I suppose that's only fitting given what I married into. Nice working class neighborhood, full of cops, firefighters, and construction workers, far away from the yuppies from Kansas City or Cincinnati that inhabit/infest some regions of our fair city. Securing financing and preparing for the move at the mo, and other than that, married life is bliss.

Glad to see that the blog lives on, though it becomes harder to post with each passing year. I think we all find our time occupied with work, relationships, parties, etc. And, sadly enough, I think our Barcelona crew can sometimes seem very distant. But then I have those moments, maybe reading the blog, or looking through old pictures, and it all comes back, all the fun, the meandering streets of Barri Gotic, the flaming shots at Chupitos (and Vegard's soldier's helmet), the Queen karaoke session at that creepy-ass joint by Bar Paris. And at those times, it doesn't seem so distant, while seeming eons ago at the same time.

Recently read the Alchemist. I'm convinced I'm the last person on Earth to do so, so I won't even bother recommending it to everyone on the assumption that you've already read it. But if you haven't, take the 2 days and read it. It reminds me a lot of Le Petit Prince. Currently working on a few books about local history, and preparing to venture into the Muslim psyche with "No god but God." I'll let you know how it goes.

I hope all were pleased with the results of the mid-term elections in the US. We in Illinois did our part and sent the Democrats to Washington (was there ever any doubt in this state?). Hopefully we'll see some foreign policy changes, and we'll certainly see some tax changes, which should keep me employed for years to come.

Hope to hear from Adam soon, and updates on the travels of Ulli and Vegard--the Scandinavian sidekicks--are always welcome. Take care, one and all.