Okay - now for a quick spontaneous Microsoft plug (give credit where credit is due).  We went to the Windows Vista launch party at La Défense where there was an unreal fireworks show, captured in all its glory by my co-worker, John Mathieu.  Yes, that is a Smart car with a glowing Vista logo.  Don't ask.  But DO buy your copy of Vista. 

I made a quick trip to London in mid-February, but returned just in the nick of time for a Valentine's dinner.  I was even offered a heart cake mid-chunnel on the Eurostar train - which I declined because I knew it couldn't compete with the offerings on the menu at Rue Cassette.  While we were not in the picture taking spirit, our resident blimp was, and made a mockery of Saint Valentine…

Life is not all fun and games in Paris (mostly though).  Shannon has been taking intensive French classes five days a week, four hours a day!  Her school is called Alliance Française, and is only about a seven minute walk from our apartment.  Here are some pictures of her school…

We also starting working out at a gym (called Club Med) close by – less than a 10 minute walk away.  At the gym they think their resort commercials, broadcasted on each TV, are more interesting than cable channels.  I think not, but for all I know it could have been some American that found a marketing job in Paris.  So I'll let it go....

Now for the moment you've all been waiting for - pictures of our visitors (sick of us yet??).  We were lucky to have two sets of good friends visit in February.  First, Jon Krisbergh and Rachel Sherman came from New York for a long weekend.  That's them on their maiden voyage over the Seine, with the Louvre as their backdrop:

Krisbergh endured two years of rooming together at Duke with me, so the least I could offer him was a floor, some Bordeaux, and a fine cheese selection.  In fact, notice the "caught in the act" face after his first bite of cheese:

The pure indulgence continued, now here is Jon and myself tasting the famous Ile Saint Louis Ice Cream…

Everybody in Paris gets their favorite things.  Here we find Rachel and Shannon window shopping for cheese at the world famous Barthélémy cheese shop (yes, blocks away again!)…

In our group at Microsoft there is a famous saying, and it goes something like this:  "Where there is Lars Johnson, there is Dave Totten."  Recent archaeological finds have also uncovered a similar saying, dating back to 2003, and it goes something like this:  "Where there is David Totten, there is Lars Johnson."  You get the point.  It goes without saying that Dave and Treva Totten came to visit for a week!  Luckily Totts had plenty of time to use his 3 known french phrases:  "Qu'est-ce que c'est?" "Saint Sulpice" and "Soixante-Dix."  Here we are in front of the Eify:

These two embraced the Paris spirit like none I've ever seen.  The first picture shows Dave and Treva at the Place des Vosges...Can you feel the love in the air? 

Don't let these Parisian ladies out of your sight!  Shannon and Treva near Pont Neuf…

Who knew dinners at Rue Cassette could be more romantic than at the local bistro?  Shannon Johnson for chef of the year!

A local tradition (well, if it isn't we are making it into one) - chocolat chaud on Pont des Arts at nightfall.  Totts must have already consumed his, the poor soul...

Keep 'em coming!!  We loved having visitors and we were happy to play tour guides in this beautiful city (by we of course, I mean Shannon- who has more followers than Rick Steves now).  See you in Paris, or next month on Le Blog!