networking escapades...

quick networking update for those that even care or read this blog...all four of you...

a couple of weeks ago, I was invited to an Exclusive James Bond pre-screening premier event held by this law firm I've gotten to know...it was cocktails (of course champagne and canapais at this trendy bar) then a private screening (for about 150 people) at this theatre near piccadilly circus...the movie was okay although i left feeling a little disappointed...the movie was too much action and not enough story or character development...it was probably still a decent movie but my expectations were probably a little high since DC is probably my favorite Bonds so far...he is like the Jason Bourne of Bonds which make him a little more real, meaner, and human i guess...i liked the first movie he did a lot, but this second one was 2.5 of 4 stars i say...its good that he signed on for at least 4 more...we'll see...

and last thursday, i went to my first black-tie affair here...i wore the typical standard black tux with a black bow tie...no cumberbun or vest...it was this private equity/venture capital event for the industry...its an annual "Gala" event...about 1,200 people were in attendance which was a ton of people dressed very fancy...the event was okay...same ol' same ol'...sitting, networking, and drinking with a bunch of people who made even more money taking from people who make far less money...we were all toasting to that...what a freakin' world...recession is in (but not really for these people...its not like they are going to be poor, they are just not going to make as much money as they did before...tough times i guess for them).

hi sue, abby, ann, and aline...did i miss anyone? if so, speak up!

Hi-Ya!

so, the more personal, informal way of saying hello to someone here is "Hi-Ya"...say it pretty quickly and in a very casual way...not the martial arts, karate way...

gets on my freakin' nerves.

catching up on london. part deux.

so again, another post on what we've been up to since we moved here.

we took 2 day trips in august: 1st to windsor castle and the 2nd to bath (where we did not take a bath). i'll save bath for another post.

windsor castle was nice. i'm sure just the 1st of many castle visits while we're in europe. the queen was not in residence the weekend we visited, but at least the sun made a cameo appearance. we had fabulous weather and it made taking pictures that much nicer. well, at least during the morning it was sunny. looking thru our pictures just now, i remembered it turned cloudy in the afternoon. (what do you expect we took this day trip over 2 months ago). oopsie. near windsor castle is also eton college, the school that prince william attended. holla back!

anyways, it took about an hour to get out to windsor. we took a train, similar to the metra, where it was nicely ventilated and we had enough space to not be squished with other visitors. that is a great trip in europe as far as i'm concerned, since everything over here is so much more compact than at home.

when we got to the castle, we turned up our tourist meter and for the next few hours, listened intently to the audio tour, stopping at almost all the recommended stops. i think this is a sign that we're growing old. never before did audio tours entertain me as much as they do now.

here are a few of the better shots from the day. while we didn't see the queen mother, we did see a few things in the gift shop for gus (will we ever have a post here without mentioning our best friend? i think not.) we could have gotten him a doggie bowl that said 'prince'. or a collar bearing the same text. however, we didn't think we should spend 50 quid (equivalent to about 80 - 90 bones; pun intended) on our dog. hey, we're not that UCHM. anyways, enjoy the pics:

Windsor:

Eton:

ALMOST one in the HOLE!!!

so, i went golfing again...i've played more golf in the last four months than i have in the last six years...craziness...

anyways, we went to a new course for me...rickmansworth golf course...and I WAS SO CLOSE ON THE SECOND PAR THREE!!! here are a few pictures...

if you look at the divot right near the hole, it looks like the ball either wrapped around the hole or it hit the flag stick and popped to the side...

SO CLOSE! UGH.

catching up on london.

ok, so i know you're itching to hear about london, since there is such few updates as of late.

did we ever discuss ascot, from july?

hrm, i think we did, but waterloo didn't post any fun pictures. here are a few pics, just for fun, since i don't think anything good was posted before:
ascot was fun, especially the dressing up part. :) however, it was sooooo hot that day, so i ended up sweating thru my dress, and i was afraid that i made the wrong decision in wearing white that day. luckily, it held up fine, and i ended up enjoying the pimms and lemonade, and hat-watching all day long.

good times.

ok, and 1 more for good measure.

i know all we ever post about lately is gus. but i couldn't resist.

he has perfected his poor face. this is the poorest face ever. and one of my fav pics.

happy 2 year anniversary!

well, i can't believe it, but it's been 2 years since we met our little monster.
2 years since we drove out to delta cargo's pickup area at ohare.

2 years since we opened that tiny crate and i tried to coax a scared gustardo out onto to the seat of the car, and then into my lap at his new home:

2 years since he found his next favorite place to sit. my lap:

2 years since he found his next, next favorite place to lay out. our couch:

2 years since he found his most favorite friend and rough-houser. waterloo:

2 years since he perfected his poor face:
and 2 years since he became our favorite camera-ready subject:
happy 2 year anniversary to our little gus, gustardo, gonzo!