I haven’t written a lot lately because I’ve been busy doing a lot. I hope that’s a good thing. Apartment is mostly settled, pending today’s
run to IKEA. Yes, that’s right … I’m
going to IKEA in central Europe. Is it a
little like using an Easy Button to find an Easy Button? A little, I suppose. But it gets the job done in the end.
A few people have commented that I sound genuinely excited and happy
about my living situation in Vienna, and I think I agree with them. That isn’t meant to be smug, but more of an
overt realization that I found a great place in a good area with people nearby
and a lot of things worked out. A lot of
work went into making those things work out, but it’s a nice realization when
it happens. My commute to work today was
13 minutes. Actually, let me rephrase
that, because the word “commute” has different meanings to different people: it
took 13 minutes for me to lock my front door, descend 8 flights of stairs, take
the subway to work, and clock-in for the day.
A guy could get used to that.
And today, for no reason whatsoever that I can discover, Summer Hours
begin. I like the concept of Summer Hours
in the US: work a little more each week day, and take a three day weekend every
week or every other week. Simple and
basic. Well … Europe’s got us beat. Here, Summer Hours consists of: go home 30
minutes earlier every day. Why? I have no idea, just because! That combined with the flexible hours outside
of the 5 “core hours” in the middle of each day, plus the short commute, that
leaves a lot of time out of the office which is just swell.
That having been said, the apartment and the neighbourhood don’t feel
quite like home just yet. And I’m not
sure if they will. Home means more than
just a comfortable place to hang your hat.
It’s more than just a collection of furniture and kitchen wares. As happy and excited as I am to be where
living where I am, it’s tough to say when – or if – it will capture that
feeling of being more than just a temporary dwelling. Does it beat a hotel room? A thousand times yes it does (although, I
sure miss the Marriott bed …. Come back!!!).
Pictures to follow as soon as I get around to taking them. Also, a report from someplace other
than Vienna to follow just as soon as I can leave … hopefully this
weekend.
