trinacriabob

I definitely need to be close to a big city even though LA and NY are now overwhelming for me. I have adjusted nicely to the second tier cities. However, I like the suburbs. To me, living in the suburbs means you are NO less hip or sophisticated. (I tend to hate in-town bohemian neighborhoods). In Atlanta, I moved straight to Dunwoody. While in Seattle, I lived in Kirkland for over 3 years. I will always prefer suburban living and this has been the case since I graduated from college (the first time)

I L-O-V-E South America. I only went to 2 places this time (Argentina and Uruguay) because that's where I feel at home, can blend in and feel safe. I was in Rio last time in 2003 and it is probably the most beautiful city I have ever visited. However, at one time during the four days, I felt like I was being set up or something on the bus from the statue of Christ the Redeemer back to the hotel. I avoided the situation. Rio is not considered safe but one can take precautions. It's just that I would rather be in European Buenos Aires or on the quiet beaches of Uruguay. How do you say Merry Christmas in Armenian, BTW?

Here are a couple of pictures trying out my (fairly) new digital camera in my room at the Radisson in Montevideo Uruguay before going to Buenos Aires Argentina the next morning. My co-workers said I look angry but I will post them because I can't seem to take a decent picture. A little sunburnt I don't normally look this dour and have such a long face...especially after a week of sunshine and laid-back South American living. Maybe I was pissed because I had to come back to the states and to work. Some of you still need to post some pictures. As for the others - some look just like what I thought...others shattered the mental image I had.

Hey, if I recall, it was late summer when the BIG CRASH occurred. Never thought C&G would continue to exist. In the interim, I got involved in an evening program in graduate business. I took 6 semester credits (Investments and Estate/Gift Taxation). Both were ball busters, but got an A and a B, respectively (just checked today) while working 50 hours a week and running around to get my mom to finalize her estate plan (in another state, no less). Also, went to Argentina and Uruguay (where it's summer) during Thanksgiving week instead of going with my mom and brother to a condo in Bend, OR. That was a slam dunk. Where would you have gone? Duh. Christmas was the 3-dayer to Portland with a day-hop to Seattle. I was thinking about all of you as all the bad GM press has been hitting the media. I finally rented a LaCrosse (I will post a review) and post some pix. HOW WAS YOUR CHRISTMAS? WHAT DID YOU DO?