February was quiet here on OLAAF. As of this writing, I have not visited any new places, only booked tickets and hotels. I am still waiting for my new watch – Tudor Black Bay 54. There were no new experiences. Only a few repeats.
Browsing my photo library I noticed that I made only a few pictures. Just a few here and there. The cinema was also dull in February. Even though technically Dune: Part Two comes out in February, my review of it will only be in March. I slightly remember that in one of my articles, I mentioned that I am tempted to write about my leather goods. Since I have a mild leather fetish I thought of drafting something about why, when and what. Stay put for that.
When putting these words on the screen I am considering buying a new item made of leather – a travel bag. It is from a brand called Lancel. I already have a backpack from it. I bought it last year and it still looks new today. So maybe a new travel bag would be a worthy and lasting investment. But would I be traveling that much? I would say yes, why even think that I might not? I already have at least three three-day trips scheduled until August, thus a reason to utilize this new purchase. Why wouldn’t I buy a leather travel bag? Which I might add is rather expensive. Maybe I need a new pair of shoes? I bought a pair more or less a month ago, thus I am good for at least another six months. Maybe I need a new jacket? I could buy it anyway, so no. Maybe I will get the call to come and collect my new watch? That money has been put aside a long time ago. What else? I have a safety cushion, in case something unexpected happens. So why this double-guessing? Just go to the Lancel store in Strasbourg, see the bag in person, touch and feel the leather, and pull the trigger then and there. If I make the purchase, expect another sartorial article here on OLAAF.
What will you see below? A couple of pictures from February. What I ate, what I drank, and what I experienced (mostly together with my wonderful wife).
Let’s start with wine. Strangely I only took one picture of wine. I remember I drank two bottles of champagne and maybe two or three bottles of wine. The one pictured below had an interesting label, hence the picture. Why no pictures of champagne? I am loss for words because I don’t know. I think that both bottles were repeats. Usually, I don’t photo a bottle two times, but I keep the cork cap. Expect an article about champagne cork caps in the future.
Since Belgium currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Parc du Cinquantenaire in Brussels has a large EU flag in the middle. I could not pass by and not take a picture of the beautiful blue and gold. Sadly, it was not windy.
My second take with cigars. After my first cigar experience, I was more or less sure that I wanted to do it again. Will there be a third attempt? Firstly, I learned from my mistakes on the second try. I did not smoke it fast. I did not trash the carpet with ash. But, I did smoke on an empty stomach. That resulted in me being sick right after stepping out of the lounge. Secondly, I went for a smoke on a Friday afternoon when I was the only one in the lounge. Not a single soul to talk to. I believe my first experience was a success mainly due to the company I had. Not only did my lovely wife come to sit together with me but the lounge had other smokers. I was able to exchange and that in the end made the difference.
Do I plan to have a third cigar? I honestly don’t know. After my second I wrote to my wife saying that no more. Even though it is a nice ritual I am just not that keen on smoking. I don’t taste the cream, the coffee, or the chocolate notes. If I don’t enjoy it why try it again? That being said, I would be willing to give it another go after a full lunch or dinner. Maybe then I would taste and feel something different. I won’t commit. But I will keep an open mind.
Mainly because I miss the interaction you may get at a cigar lounge. Was my first experience a fluke? Maybe. But as always, there is only one way to know for sure.
A first in my career at the European Parliament. Two Strasbourg sessions back-to-back in one month.
I try to speak French when ordering food or when buying croissants. Two times out of three the person on the other end will continue to tolerate my beginner French. More podcasts in French could be a solution.
I took a couple of watch pictures in February. Both of my Roamer and Seiko. The one below is from when I traveled to Strasbourg at the beginning of the month.
At two different places, I ate cordon bleu. Was I satisfied? Not really. You may ask why. The one seen below was good(-ish), the meat did not seem as coming out of a microwave. But it was hard to chew. In my memory the cordon bleu at L’Atelier tasted better, the chicken was tender and the cheese a bit salty. Also, the fries were softer. For some reason, repeats tend to disappoint.
I don’t read motivational books. Not my kind of content. But I do like Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger ever since I was a child and my father told stories of how Arnold moved from Austria to pursue bodybuilding. Since one of my favorite sayings is “Be Useful”, once I heard that Mr. Arnold is launching a book with that same title, I knew I would probably be interested in reading this piece. However, I was put off after learning that it is a motivational book, not a biography. As you may already know, I almost exclusively read biographies. Thus I paused my intention of buying this. Time went by and one day I found that this book on Amazon was on sale. After watching a couple of YouTube videos of Arnold speaking about his work, I decided to give it a try.
Yes, it is a self-help, motivational book. Luckily, the author is a man who has accomplished something in his life. From bodybuilding to being a leading man in Hollywood movies to being a governor of the sixth-largest economy in the world. Thus it is safe to say that Mr Schwarzenegger has some weight behind his talk. This book reads fast, Arnold has woven motivational pages together with chapters from his biography. A couple of months ago I watched his documentary on Netflix called Arnold; therefore my memory of the details of his life was rather fresh. Fortunately for the readers “Be Useful” is not a retelling of the documentary or an update of his first biography called “Total Recall”, which I haven’t read. This is a book that can stand on its own. Even though all motivational parts sound cheesy, what makes them work is the man behind the words. It is the notion that the man who tells you to be useful has been useful himself, he has accomplished something. Although we would never be able to recreate his formula of success, we can learn about his guiding principles that led to it.
This is a good book.
I already mentioned my second cigar attempt.
Fortunately, my second beer spa experience was much better. This time we booked a room without a sauna, just two Oakwood baths and a bed of hay. And a beer tap with limitless beer. I loved it. It was relaxing.
Just a picture from the Bright Festival in Brussels. I love this city!!!
My Lancel leather bag. I do think that I have a leather fetish.
How do you know that Friday has come? I am wearing my Seiko and there is no sight of a shirt or a jacket. When you look at this Seiko you see my Master’s degree in Legal text translation.
A white shirt with my Roamer. A good combination, wouldn’t you agree?
I went to an Italian place during my second Strasbourg session in February. You might remember this place from my adventure in July where I had my most expensive pasta dish thus far. Luckily, that record has not yet been broken. The dish below is from that same restaurant. It is spaghetti carbonara with black truffles. I was disappointed. The pasta seemed dry and tasteless (probably no salt), the meat was just fat, and the truffles underperformed. Bright side? I got to experience when truffles are being cut in front of me. It may sound insignificant. Which it is. But at least I got to see it. This was also my second attempt in this restaurant. Unfortunately, the outcome more resembles the cigar than the beer spa.
The read Galeries Lafayette. No comment on this one. Shot on an iPhone 13 mini.
Let’s end this article with a picture of my Roamer. My lovely wife made this shot. Look at the detail and the warmth of this photo. Simply stunning. I love them both.
Two months in 2024 have passed. 100 days until the European Parliament elections.
I love my job. I love Brussels. I am a European. I need my Tudor Black Bay 54.
My wife is the best. See you in March.
Kindly,
Olaaf
UPDATE: I made the purchase. I have a new leather item!
Second UPDATE: After finishing the draft of this article I got the long-awaited email. Stay tuned.
