Back in business as Mister Bean

I hope all my Whipping Cats readers will be pleased to read that this blog is officially back in business. The adventure continues in 2012 -- I arrived back in Paris just about 24 hours ago, and already it seems as if I was never away.

Started back in class again this morning. This spring I have a new apartment, but it's just one block away from last spring's location, so I know the quartier fairly well already. The apartment owners were terrific - most welcoming and - in a personal DG first - this time I managed to bring all the correct cables and adapters, as well as a mouse and an alarm clock, so for the first time ever I may not have to go out and buy duplicates of stuff I already have at home. I even paid the extra $25 to have an actual Paris number instead of the dodgy Estonian number that came with last year's international SIM card. And yes, I know that those of you with IPads are rolling your eyes at my general technological backwardness, but - hey - if you are reading this, then I am at least able to get things to function to my own level of satisfaction.

Apparently my new persona for the spring is that of Mister Bean

The apartment is seriously chic:

and very comfortable. Though that spiral staircase may be the death of me. Guests will appreciate the downstairs bathroom (as will I).

Also, from its former days as a boutique jewelry store, there is an external "rideau metallique" (metal curtain) that still works downstairs, so when Brad gets here, if he needs to block out all external street noise and light, he will be able to do so.

Jet lag is starting to hit, so it's time for a little nap. A demain !