I've been reading the blog

I've been reading the blog of a former coworker now spending time in Paris, and he had a great bit today:

"I discovered a new church, a gothic cathedral practically hidden by the surrounding apartment buildings, next to the gym. It is named "Saint Merri" for a famous French abbot. The church was built in 1550 and has stained glass and oil paintings from the 13th century. It is a completely forgotten church - there isn't even a parish there anymore, just a weekly gathering of Catholic "modernists" who gather to support Human Rights. In any other city this cathedral, complete with flying butresses and classic gothic architecture, would be a jewel. In Paris it is a forgotton unused storage space with some renegade liberals running an outreach program."

Ah. I need to get out of the country. I went abroad for the first time in 2001. This year will be the first year since that I haven't left the U.S. at least once. It's a bit sad. Perhaps I'll find a cheap cruise to Mexico or something this fall.

Oh, and my laptop is already kitted, built, and in testing phase. Next comes boxing, and shipping. Whee!