Back, I think. For now anyway.

There is nothing in this world that makes me turn into a screaming raving lunatic like trying to deal with our beyond awful cable (and phone and internet) company. Seriously, I consider myself a fairly rational, calm, sane person most of the time (Miriam, stop laughing!) but there is something about the incompetence and general evilness of the cable company that sends me round the bend. I've already told Jay that if he ever comes home to find me catatonic on the floor his very first phone call should be to a lawyer to sue the cable company for the costs of my psychiatric care because there is no chance in hell that it won't be entirely their fault.

In any case, the internet is back. Slowly (because they never gave us the upgrade they were supposed to), but it's back. Only two months after the last technician claimed to have solved the problem permanently (cue maniacal laughter). Anyone care to place a bet on how long we'll last this time? I think the record is three or four months without a catastrophic failure of some kind on at least one of the three systems...

In there meantime, here, look at some oh so sparkly and shiny little things that I saw on my recent trip to Rome that I'm posting to distract myself from my aggravation (without becoming further distracted by thoughts of how many months I'd spend in traction if I ever so much as thought of wearing a pair of these!) so that I can refocus on getting back to work around here, finally.

And now it's back to work, writing about things significantly less sparkly...
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Thursday Thirteen #5 - Back Again

Thanks to the efforts of Beth and Carol, the TT is back, without missing even a beat.

I've been away the past few days with no computer access *gasp*, so here's an easy one for me this week. On the plus side though, I've finally figured out how to do the Mr. Linky thingie to make life easier for all of you. And, I'll update you all on where I was soon.

Happy TT!

This is a list of 13 European countries I've been to so far, with an observation or two from each. Still on my "someday" list are Ireland, Spain, Croatia and several others. The list is in no particular order. (Oh, and remember, I live in Israel, so it isn't that far for me to get to Europe, especially as a stopover between Israel and a trip back to the States.)

1. Portugal - NO ONE (other than 2 young girls visiting their grandparents) goes to the Algarve in the winter!

2. Czech Republic - beautiful architecture, great beer

3. Greece - gorgeous, but a difficult place to do business

4. England - The Pub on the Puddle, my former home away from home when working in Surrey, and home to assorted friends and a relative or two

5. France - bliss, what more needs to be said

6. Italy - oh, the food, and beautiful Cinque Terre

7. Holland - Space Cakes are not worth the hype

8. Sweden - Gamla Stan, Scandinavian design

9. Denmark - The Little Mermaid statue

10. Norway - simply breathtaking, home to a very dear friend in the computer that I desperately hope to meet someday, and the home of Hell (from which yes, you can send postcards)

11. Malta - looks a lot like some parts of Israel

12. The Vatican - Swiss Guards in funky striped tights

13. Scotland - castles and more castles, and a few wee drinks

So what's on your list? What did you love? What did you not? Where would you go if someone dropped the tickets in your lap?