No, Peter Mayle hasn’t written an abbreviated sequel. But I am feeling the pressure to write a post that’s “stylish, witty and delightfully readable.”
How about “simply readable?”
Anyway, the tweaked book title portends a looming personal adventure. My wife, Heather, and I head to Aix en Provence today for a seven-week assignment.
Our European managing director, Mike Sottak, lives in Aix splitting time between his home office and our European hub in London. By taking on this adventure, I can team with Mike in supporting our European operation as well as experience a new part of the world with Heather. Along this line, I plan to take some time off — HR will attest that I definitely have some vacation time coming to me — so we can explore the surrounding area as well as take an excursion or two (or three) to other parts of Europe.
The simple activity of chilling with the wife at a café, espresso within easy reach, watching the day walk by sounds pretty darn good.
The company’s per diem wouldn’t quite cover the Chateau Miraval, which I assume is available when Angelina and Brad aren’t in town.
On the work front, I’m looking forward to parachuting into a new place. One lesson I took away from our “assignment” — there’s that word again — in the UK from 2000 to 2002 is what I’ll call “the tuning of the senses.” Minus the cocoon that comes from working in the same place for 30-plus years, you’re forced to figure things out and prove yourself to new people with a premium on self-sufficiency.
In short, it’s healthy to be shoved out of one’s comfort zone.
There’s a reason that world-class athletes depend on personal trainers. Obviously, they’re not lazy. Rather, third parties can push athletes in a way that they aren’t able to do on their own. Looking at my own career and quest to keep improving, this trip serves a similar purpose.
I’m also excited about our future in Europe. Mike has done a great job retooling our European operation both in terms of capabilities and spirit. I think of our team as “the little engine that could.” While modest in size, the team produces extraordinary work.
As for the blog, I plan to continue publishing a couple posts each week. I’m thinking fresh fodder will find me.
Did I mention that fun fits into this equation as well? I’m lucky that Heather has a sense of adventure and a personality that can make friends standing in line at the DMV (unlike her husband).
So for now I bid, “Au revoir.”
And if anyone can recommend an easy translation app for French (emphasis on easy), by all means send it along.
P.S. Heather and I plan to capture our stay on Instagram. You can find us at @Lou4Heather.