goings on....

Lots of things have happened since I last blogged a month ago. I finished up my masterpiece of a movie. I watched my baby brother get married. I read that Lindsay Lohan is now a lesbian. The Republicans nominated a female VP who may make a nice next door neighbor but who scares the bejesus out of me. Turns out that my father-in-law is friends with her father so I'm not sure how to tell him that she's a terrible choice. Maybe get drunk first? My sister got engaged to a really awesome guy. I got a tan.

And I booked some serious travel to Europe.

How serious? 22 days serious. I can't wait. First I fly into Rome and spend about four days there in what seems to be a crazy chaotic city. Next up is Florence and trips to Tuscany for 8 or 9 days. There's a cooking class in the country, a trip to the coastal Cinque Terra, eating, drinking, hiking, and walking. "Vorrei un bicchiere di vino rosso per favore?" (My Rosetta Stone is slowly working.) It's apartments all the time (no hotels for us) so we can live like locals. (Ha!) After a quick day in Milan, it's off to Prague to see some of my friends, revisit some of my favorite haunts, and hopefully see some changing leaves in the Bohemian countryside. After a few (or 30) cuba libres, next up is Istria, Croatia (some pics if you're curious.) As most Americans don't know about Croatia, I can tell you that it seems awesome. I was told about it in the Spring because the coolest person I met in Prague was Croatian. He's there now and offered to host a visit so how can you pass that up? After learning about Croatia, I know that it's a narrow country, so mostly seaside (across from Italy), but it's also got this gorgeous green inland part with some of the best vineyards and olive oil makers in the world. So I expect a lot of seafood and wine tastings.

So, it's not a bad life. I can't complain. First up, in one day I'm off to Colorado and Estes Park so pictures and a blog to follow that trip.