This virus sucks. The virus scare, on the other hand, has its upside

[DFW]

OK, don't take me too seriously here, I'm not talking about empty shelves in food stores.

On the other hand, I had to get up at 4:30 this morning in time to get the first train down to Paris. This thing is ALWAYS crowded, with die hard smokers puffing away until the last second in the station, coming into the crowded cars with clothes and hair reeking so bad, I have to gag. Plus all the yapping away on cell phones, loud conversations about business deals that just CAN'T wait, and long waits for the few on-board toilets they have.

Today, it was almost deserted. There were maybe eight people in my car (holds about 60), and great attention from the staff. Maybe another eight people got on in Brussels for the last leg down to Paris (80 minutes out of 225, we'll be there in 15 minutes), but it's still a desert compared to the sardine can it usually is. It would be an ironic joke on me if I were to contract the virus while on one of these trips, but since I cannot work remotely, and have to be in a different country practically every day, this was a welcome relief from the usual rat race.

[sprinkleeninow]

1. Stay safe and healthy. You and your family! 💜

[DFW]

3. Thanks!! We're currently scattered to the four corners of the earth, but we're trying.

One daughter is holed up in the Taunus hills, the other is in Manhattan, suddenly looking for a job after ten years with her company. My wife is in Israel on some German-Israeli cultural exchange trip that I couldn't make (day job, and all--too bad, since I've never been to Israel).

[sprinkleeninow]

5. You guys and dolls are soitenly on the go!

I remembered one of yours is in the US. The married one and grandbaby is near you, yes? 💞

[DFW]

6. Yes indeed

You are paying close attention! Number two is one the way, due in 3 months, so she is trying like hell to avoid travel--not easy for the new star of her firm's European offices. She wanted the big time, and she got it. Now it's her turn to see what it is like to juggle the roles of being a mommy, a new mommy, and a hotshot attorney who is in constant demand in England, Bavaria, Switzerland, Austria, New York, and a few other destinations that are anything BUT convenient to a young woman with 2 kids under the age of two.

[DarthDem]

2. As a person with many European connections

I always appreciate your stories and anecdotes. Thanks.

[DFW]

4. It's weird here at the moment

Some cities report panic buying. Yesterday, in my town, it was as if the most important decision being made in the world that day was whether or not to expand bicycle paths.

I have to be in Belgium tomorrow, and on Friday in Bavaria for a conference for which I hear half the participants have already canceled.

[Fla Dem]

7. Brave soul. Not sure I'll get in any type of closed environment with other people.

[DFW]

8. If I did that, it would be the equivalent of forced retirement

Even temporarily. If the risk is low, it's one I'll take. If it kills me, I promise I won't do it again.

[Fla Dem]

9. Lol, well let's hope not.

[DFW]

10. Too late

My decision is final!