Thursday, April 9, 2009

Cold is relative

We all know this but here is more apparent. I said in my previous post that Spring is here but it is amazing that although it is still 50F most people are wearing shorts already and t-shirts. I know it is not freezing but it is still very cold!!!

Good weather in Boston

This is my first day back in Boston. Just had a meeting with Dr. B. This morning I was shocked with how good the weather is here. Nice temperature (around 55F) and a beautiful blue skies. I guess Spring is here finally. This means that the weekends may start to be better because I can actually go visit places (outdoors). I haven't yet done much here except for going to Jazz concerts.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Flying back to Boston

I had a great time at home. Unfortunately it is never long enough. But I'll be back home on May 2nd. Just 3 weeks. :)

Friday, April 3, 2009

Flying back home.

I'm on my way back to Melbourne. Going home!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

What?!?!

This is weird!!! I'm at the station inn and the feeling is very weird. The reason is that these guys are playing some things I have no idea what it is. But then everyone else here does!! I thought I was pretty aware of what what as going on on the musical scene but then again there us a completely different new world these people live in. They are claping like they know
these songs for years while I don't have a clue about them. :)

Station Inn

I'm at the door of the Station Inn. I want to see what this place is all about. They say on the web is one of the best places for country music. My problem is that "best" and "country music" just don't seem to go together.

Tornado in Nashville

This afternoon I experienced my first tornado. Fortunately it missed the hotel but not for much. It's pretty powerful stuff. From my floor I could not see three yards from out of the window. At some point I had to go to the inside room because it was a bit scary.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Ben's presentation

I'm very happy because my student the a very good presentation at the conference. It's nice to see your student doing well. I was worried because since yesterday he has been very nervous. Yesterday I took him to drink a beer. Nothing better than a beer to relieve stress. lol

Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar

Last night my student and I were planning to go to the BB King restaurant but it was closed. So the second best option according to most websites was the bourbon street blues and boogie bar. The atmosphere was nice and the place really looks like a traditional blues location. Unfortunately we were very hungry and the food there was not good. On the website the menu looked great but it was false advertisement. They had only about 40% of what the menu on the website had and it didn't taste that good. I could come val there for the music but never to eat. :)

Monday, March 30, 2009

Conference

The conference here in Nashville is going well so far. Nothing too exciting but some cool talks. My talks are both tomorrow (Tuesday).

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Not quite country music

I got here to the country music restaurant and it seems to be closed. I'm waiting in the restaurant in front called Sambuca. The problem is that this place is very nice. I'm at the bar. Good service. Good appetizers. And some very nice brazilian jazz. Maybe Nashville is not so bad after all. This place looks very civilized. Much better than any bar we have in Melbourne. :(

Country music here I go

I really hate country music but being in Nashville I can't avoid so I'm leaving to check this restaurant where they have a bluegrass jam. I swear, if they sing I'll leave. If it is instrumental I might stay. At least it is free.

Going to Nashville

I'm on my way to Nashville to attend an IEEE conference. I'm gettig tired of these conferences. It's just too much work and very little reward. I could now be in Florida and see Kalil play soccer which is definetely much more fun. Anyway, next time I'll fly to my presentation and fly back on the day after. What makes it harder to arrange is that the conferences don't publish the program far in advance so we don't know which day we are presenting until it is too late. :(

Party @ the Menezes'

I'm been quiet the last few days because I'm not in Boston. Yesterday we had a good party in my house. It was great to see our friends. Unfortunatelly Sebastien was missing; he was in Nashville (to where I'm heading while I write this). We had quite a lot to drink and eat. We cooked Vatapá and some chicken sausages. I guess people liked it because there were no leftovers ;)

Thursday, March 26, 2009

With my family

I arrived yesterday and spend the night talking with Kalil, Adele and Sarah. It's great to be back!! Today I went out with Sarah to have lunch out. The weather here in Florida is just great. Actually better than in Hawaii. Hawaii is more beautiful but Florida has a better weather.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

In Florida!!!

Hurray. I'm here!! Plane just landed. Looking forward to the party on Saturday. See you all there.

On my way to Logan

Florida here I come!! I'm on my way to Logan airport here in Boston. Not long now until I get home.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Almost in Florida

I'm packing tonight to go home. I'm happy to go there and see my friends and of course my family. Can't wait to be there. Saturday we're having a party in my house. I'm sure it's going to be fun because Jerry and I will make sure everyone swims. So again. Be prepared!!

W.

I finished watching the movie W yesterday. The movie is quite nice because it now only criticizes Bush but also shows his human side. The movie depicts him as a guy that really thought he was doing good to the country but at the same time being weak and going with the others decision particularly Cheney's. Overall it is a movie worth watching.

Monday, March 23, 2009

3.5 hours of Squash

Just finished playing 3.5 hours of squash. I'm very happy because my knee took the stress. So DeLo (the doctor) may not be as bad as I thought. Maybe he did fix my knee or maybe the knee just got fixed by itself with time. I was finishing playing when one of the organizers of the squash team here called me to hit some balls with him. I could not refuse :) My arm is so sore that I can't even move it. But at least the knee is fine. Who cares about the arm. lol.