Paris - Golf Rough

There's a Drought Here, Don't Believe the Photo
Played golf this past weekend in the French countryside where they take their rough seriously.  Lost a ball in this tangle and didn't even wade in an inch to look for it.  Serious drought taking shape, the ground was cracked so wide you could stick a thumb in.  No significant rain for months.  Farmers are starting to worry.

Paris - Meetings Continuing

My First All-French Meeting
Mark it down in your calendars, this is my first ever meeting all in French.  I am now in our offices in the north of the city and since I'm the only non-French speaker they requested to do the meeting in French.  "Bien sur!"  Go ahead!  I'm just staring out the window......  Yes, ok, I understand some.  When they ask me something I answer in English.

London - One Day

I Went to London and all I Got Was a Meeting...
Took the Eurostar last night into London.  It was extremely cramped and uncomfortable, I was quite shocked.  All those billions spent and they pack you in like sardines.  Now that I think about it, I guess those two are related.  I'm in Kensington on the west side of London for a one day meeting, this is a view from the room.  They've converted some old factories into offices.  Quite nice.  The weather is as expected, cool and dark.  We're back on the Eurostar tonight to Paris.  I'll try to take a few shots of the new St Pancras station tonight - it's quite impressive!

Paris - the Master Plan, Part II

Time Will Tell if it Worked....
I waited for the right moment, 8pm, when he was tired.  I told him I had to talk to him for 5 mins, he glanced at his watch, giving me that "if it's quick" look.  I sprang into action.  "At the end of July I'm moving to Singapore to be with my girlfriend.  I would love to stay involved with the project, I just need to cut my travel down a bunch."  Not sure he was getting the word "bunch" so I continued on "I've been soldiering through this heavy travel for three years, I would like to reduce it."  He smiled and took notes.  I went on, telling him about Jean, telling him I don't need an immediate answer, to think about it a bit and get back to me.

Brooklyn - the Master Plan

Will it Work?
Jean and I have worked out a big picture plan.  I'll be moving to Singapore at the end of July.  We plan to return to NY in the spring of 2014.  She's let her bosses know that she'll need a NY job at that point and I'm sure they'll oblige - she's a superstar.  Now, for the gamble.  I will be letting my Paris bosses know on Tuesday.  I plan to tell them I'm moving to Singapore at the end of July and am looking to cut down my travel significantly.  I will offer to be in Paris 2 weeks out of 8 and work remotely from Singapore the rest of the time.  I'll give them three weeks to mull it over and if they are ok with the plan, then all is good.  If they're not good with the offer, I will resign.

Miami - Golfing

Battle at Doral
Miguel, his Uncle Teddy and Teddy's buddy Tony and I flew to Miami for a golf battle.  Uncle Teddy has a timeshare at Doral, a two bedroom condo with cut-rate greens fees.  We took off early Saturday, arrived around noon and hit the links by 2:30PM.