News items

I've got a few news items for you:

1. You should have gotten an e-mail from Sally at the travel agency confirming your details before she sends you your "cruise kit". Take a look at her message and if anything looks wrong, let her know right away.

2. We have just 40 days before we leave! It's going to get here before you know it.

3. Today's item to pack is Tamiflu. With this swine flu spreading, better safe than sorry. Our medical director suggests that you take care of this quickly, given that there's likely to be a run on the stuff. Tamiflu and Relenza are two anti-viral drugs that are effective against this bug when taken early. I've got a supply left over from our adventures in Vietnam (bird flu was the scare two years ago, if you'll recall), and I'll be bringing our stash with us.

4. It won't help us, but on July 1 the restaurant tax in France will drop from 19.6% to 5.5%. Oh well. Maybe it will mean that a lot of French folks will hold off on fine dining for the couple of weeks before the big price drop, which will mean easy reservations or short waits for us in Paris. Just a thought.

5. This one is kind of wacky. Apparently someone broke into the apartment of the brother of the former boyfriend of the First Lady of France Carla Bruni. The only things stolen were intimate videos and pictures of the first lady and her ex. Look for those to surface soon, causing much embarrassment to all. Apparently Bruni's ex, gave the pictures and videos to his brother for "safekeeping", and reports are that the break-in was suspicious.

7. Lance Armstrong is getting over a broken collarbone and says he'll be ready for the upcoming Tour de France bicycle race.

8. A Euro costs $1.33 today. It's been hovering between $1.29 and $1.33 for the last several weeks.