Hello Greg, and quick update

Welcome back Greg! Very glad to hear you made it back safe and sound, this is excellent news.
Some culture shock for you: http://www.glumbert.com/media/myspacekid


Watch it all the way through. Unbelievable.


A quick report from DC. I'm still at BearingPoint, working on the same HUD project about which I have talked to most of you. My travel season has started: San Francisco next week, nowhere Missouri two weeks later, NJ, AZ, Philly, Florida, Cleveland, Memphis and Spokane to follow.


My most exciting news involves non-work travel. Amy and I are going to Brazil for the first two weeks of April. Rio first, then Brasilia second for her grandmother's 90th birthday. Cannot wait for the trip, its been sometime since ive taken a real vacation.


Ted, Chris, John, glad to hear all is well. Pat, I am a bit thrown off by your comment "I figured it wouldn’t be that bad, considering all those glorious nights with Old Sam and with Old Gay Renzo." Not witty at all, unless you define wit as nothing more than an incisive observation, humorously phrased and delivered with impeccable timing. season VII episode 14.


Itll be tough for me to get to the midwest for a meetup, since im using my vacation hours for Brazil. That said, anyone and everyone is welcome on the East Coast (midatlantic?)...Rowlands and I would be good hosts, I assure you.


Take care everyone.

GREAT NEWS

For those of you who don't know - GREG IS BACK FROM IRAQ. He got back Saturday and I talked to him yesterday. Only a few more months until we get Anthony back.

Peace Out,
Chris

Hey guys,

Well, it was my idea to start the blog, so now that Ax has resurrected it, I better get off my lazy ass and write a post. Pat - sounds like Spain is a pretty good time, and it is pretty awesome that you get to travel Europe to meet with your girlfriend. Should I be doing a creepy facebook invite to this girl? Ax - thanks for getting things started again and the wonderful memories.

Speaking of memories, Jonathan, Meryl, and I relived some of our college days this past weekend, when we went to Molly's 21st birthday party at ISU. Yes - my girlfriend just turned 21, so deal with it. I had to drive to a work event at 6:00 AM the next morning, which was horrible. I think Jonathan and Meryl had a good time, but I don't think Jonathan blacked out (so maybe not).

In other news, I moved into my new place at the beginning of the February. I've got a one-bedroom on the far northwest side of Chicago. My daily commute went from 50 miles to 14 miles, which I am liking quite a bit. The good news when you guys come into Chicago for games, I live like 15 minutes from O'Hare and there are bars within walking distance of my apartment. The bad news is that it won't be like my parent's house with a bed for everyone.

In regards to Ted's idea, I would be up for a pre-wedding get together. I have no idea what my schedule is like for the Spring/Summer, but I'd be up for something. I'm living on my own now and on a budget, so I can't go crazy. You guys are always welcome at my place as long as I'm not visiting Molly.

Hopefully we'll keep the blogging momentum going.

Peace out,
Chris

And.... Weeeeeeeeeee!

Well, I’ll go ahead and pick up the baton on reinstating the blog.

So, the two biggest pieces of news are 1) I’m in Spain for the semester, taking nothing but Spanish language classes, and 2) I’ve been dating my girlfriend Cat for some 4 months, and she’s studying in France this semester, and we’re meeting up at various locations in Western Europe about twice a month.

We went to Barcelona a couple of weeks ago, and to Madrid last weekend. We’ve got Paris in a few more weeks, and Dublin for St. Patty’s. I’d really like to do Brussels and Casablanca in April. Pictures available on facebook.

I’m studying in a town called Salamanca. It’s a university town, with tons of drink specials, and tons of international (by which I mean English-speaking) students. I live in an apartment right on the river, with a gorgeous view, although I share a bedroom with one of my roommates in exchange for a reduced share of the rent. I figured it wouldn’t be that bad, considering all those glorious nights with Old Sam and with Old Gay Renzo. There are 6 guys + 2 of their wives from my MBA program at USC here with me (the other 3 unmarried ones being my roommates), so there’s some company.

Ted, for myself, going to have to decline the pre-wedding rendezvous. Once I get back and get settled, I’m starting a pretty sick internship with a law firm in Columbia, where I really have to impress the hell out of everyone, work 50-60 hour weeks, and definitely not take any days off, so as to try to procure a permanent job offer.

That having been said, I can’t WAIT for Sundy’s wedding! Not to mention it will be in the Basilica, not to mention that it will be during a time of year when South Bend is a genuinely pleasant place to be. I’m next to certain I’m going to road trip it. The only question is, whether and how much I plan to drive other to South Bend and back.

Other thoughts:

This country is addicted to ham. Seriously. Try to find beef or chicken, I dare you. It must have been part of their inquisition strategy to drive out the Moors and the Jews.

I watched Super Bowl XLII from 12-4 a.m., with Spanish sportscasters and no commercials. No, they did not say “GOOOOOOAAAAAALLL!” when touchdowns occurred.

If people ever talk to you about cheap flights within Europe, they’re full of shit, unless they mean flying at the worst imaginable times to and from the most inconvenient locations.

Bartenders here kick ass b/c they’re not always pandering for tips and being surly dicks whether or not you tip well. Tipping is not customary, unless your change is like 20 cents.

I've been keeping myself entertained, in part, by keeping up with the election. Any thoughts or preferences, especially from our Poly Sci majors?

Well, that’s all I have. How about updates all around? Take care, you scurvy curs!

Pat

I wanna say something. I'm gonna put it out there. If you like it, you can take it. If you don't, send it right back.

I agree Ax, we need to post more. That video is up there with monkey vs. robot, tunak tunak, and playing helicopter or text twist for hours a day to post your score on a dry-erase board outside your door.

I know everyone is busy, but would anyone be up for a weekend to get together in the next few months anytime before Jonathan's wedding? I know you could afford to make it for football games, so think of it that way without watching the team get destroyed. It's only asking for once in 6 months, and I think it has been too long. I'll be the first to volunteer my place, but it would be a lot easier once I move to Indianapolis in June. I think we can make it happen, so at least post something if you have an idea.

Are you kidding me!!!

We totally suck at this!

2 posts in the last 3 months! How God awful is that? I'd say very!

I'm gonna jump back on here later and leave a wonderful update on my status in life but for now I gotta run. I will leave you with some wonderfulness that will take us all back to a happier time. A time when we used to walk to Current Jazz class just to sign in and then leave! A time when we would skip Philo 101 to play video games in the triple! A time when we would make fun of the BFB teaching our Finite class! A time when we would get in trouble for getting other people drunk! A time when would see planes or helicopters flying over head and wish that we had a rocket launcher so we could be as awesome as GTA 3! Ahhhhhh to be young again!

Ok! maybe some of those were just me!

But this should still take you back to that grand time of life. Enjoy.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6A0p-U1LBbQ

HAHAHAHAHA! OMG this makes me laugh again!

Later dudes.

Ax