Author Archives: JJS

When Czech tire business met French moped dreams

Posted on January 31, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 (and a Falcon fell from the sky) Or How I accidentally became a jet-setting tire executive without ever pronouncing “Brno” correctly The mid-90s were a magical time. The internet was making those delightful dial-up noises, someone was still trying … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel experience, Nostalgia | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bullitt

Posted on January 27, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 When cars were fast, airports were easy and Steve McQueen was cool 🍿 So there I was last night, doing what any reasonable person does on a random weeknight—rewatching Bullitt for approximately the 47th time. Because apparently, I need … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, Nostalgia, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pancakes

Posted on January 23, 2026 by JJS

🇫🇷 Chez nous, il y a la Chandeleur. Le 2 février. Date fixe, rassurante. On parle de lumière, de soleil, de prospérité, on fait sauter une crêpe avec une pièce dans la main et tout le monde fait semblant d’y … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Food, Food and traditions, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A syringe and an umbrella

Posted on January 21, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 I am now starting my third week of injecting my weekly dose of what I shall simply call the Wonder Molecule. I will not name it. I will not promote it. I will not pretend I was sent it … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and fitness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

“J’ai le même à la maison”

Posted on January 18, 2026 by JJS

🇫🇷 Une arnaque intemporelle qui a juste changé d’adresse Ah, la nostalgie ! Le bon vieux temps où on se faisait enfumer en personne… Vous vous souvenez ? Cette époque bénie où un vendeur en chemise à carreaux vous regardait … Continue reading →

Posted in Daily Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The great winter escape

Posted on January 5, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 (That we escaped from too soon) ☃️ You know that feeling when you check out of a hotel at 10am and then watch from the taxi as they start handing out free champagne in the lobby at 10:15? That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Seasonal musings, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

My ridiculous ambitious writing plan

Posted on January 4, 2026 by JJS

🇬🇧 How I became a human content factory Happy New Year! That magical time when we all pretend we’re going to become completely different people overnight. Gym memberships skyrocket, salad sales boom, and somewhere, a dusty notebook whispers, “Maybe this … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing & Creativity | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Looking back… and looking up

Posted on December 30, 2025 by JJS

As one sometimes does in the quiet days just before—or just after—the New Year, I found myself looking back at the main events of the past twelve months. It’s a reassuring ritual: a mix of memory, curiosity, and the comforting … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel experience, Airports, Uncategorized, year in review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Settling back

Posted on December 30, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 It feels exceptionally good to be home after ten excellent days in Germany, spent doing what holidays are meant for: seeing family, meeting friends, eating far too well and completely losing track of time. I have now been home … Continue reading →

Posted in Everyday life, French life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Trip to Germany for Xmas

Posted on December 29, 2025 by JJS

🎄The Suitcase That Knew Better Far too early really. So early, in fact, that even the alarm clock seemed to apologize when it went off at 4:45 a.m. But there are moments in life when sleep must be sacrificed on … Continue reading →

Posted in Airlines, Travel, Travel & Experiences | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment