Some more news!

More than a month since the last update. This might actually be my sweet spot, from 4 to 6 weeks. At least, it feels about right. I don't really have that much to report in fact. Work's going OK, not-work is going OK too. We had family in Toulouse this week end, which was nice. A couple of restaurants and two afternoons at the park watching kids exercise on the playground. It actually got me thinking.

See, this playground is divided in two areas, one for really young ones, and one for older ones, from 4 to 10 or so. the main things it teaches kids is risk and responsibilities. Platforms are way more than 2 meters in the air, there are no panels to protect anyone from falling, just a few bars. The bridge between those platforms is high enough that an adult can walk beneath it with its arms raised without touching it, and it's made of steel bars spaced far enough to fall through it. A cash cow for any proper lawyer in the US. How did it look in France? Kids were playing in groups, climbing and descending, crossing bridges, jumping up and down everywhere while the parents were busy chatting on the benches around with nary an eye on their offspring. We watched for 2 or 3 hours, and the worst thing that happened actually happened on the ground when a child tripped and fell on the grass. We're not doomed as a society when parents let their children try and fail and fall, and when those children try and learn what they're capable of and what they're not. Let's see how much longer this'll last before kids are told to wear helmets when going on a walk.

And in the other good news, I've taken an extended week end to go to Paris. Two more days at work, then a 5-days week end. I'll be spending 4 nights there in a cheapo hotel, with a shared bathroom and probably shared toilets too. But it's got free wifi, and it's quite close to Republique and my favourite brunch spot. That plus the shopping spree I'm anticipating, and the friends I'll see. It's gonna be awesome!!