Author Archives: JJS

The week that was 10-2025

Posted on March 9, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 A retired person’s delight (mostly) Ah, another week in the life of a happily retired individual. A week that was neither too adventurous nor entirely uneventful—just the right balance of leisure, technology-induced epiphanies, and the occasional humbling experience. Let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Comics, Music & Nostalgia, Personal reflections, Retirement life, Tech Gadgets, Technology, Travel planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Europe at a crossroads

Posted on March 7, 2025 by JJS

Standing strong in a changing world Here’s a transcript of the French Senator Mr Malhuret’s excellent full speech earlier this week reflecting much of my own thoughts. Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen Ministers, My dear colleagues, Europe … Continue reading →

Posted in European politics, International relations, Speeches and opinions | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The joys of modern air travel

Posted on March 5, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 A tale of two travel authorisations Next month, I have the pleasure of transiting via Los Angeles (LAX) en route from Paris to the South Pacific. My stopover is a brief couple of hours—just long enough for the airline … Continue reading →

Posted in Air travel experience, Bureaucracy, International travel, Red tape, Travel, Travel humour, Travel Preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Robots

Posted on March 2, 2025 by JJS

🇫🇷 IA et dĂ©ja-vu technologique Une dissertation sans fin Quand j’étais au lycĂ©e – Ă  une Ă©poque oĂą les tĂ©lĂ©phones avaient des cadrans et oĂą l’ordinateur personnel relevait encore de la science-fiction – on nous demandait de disserter sur l’impact … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Lost and found

Posted on March 1, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 The tale of my forgotten Mini Drone You know that feeling when you stumble upon something you completely forgot you owned? Like finding a 20€ bill in an old jacket, except in my case, it was a brand-new, untouched … Continue reading →

Posted in Aerial photography, Drones, Personal Stories, Photography & Videography, Tech Gadgets, Travel and adventure | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The month that was – February 2025

Posted on March 1, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 A month of movement, mild weather and musical holograms Ah, February—the shortest month, yet somehow always managing to pack in just as much (if not more) than its lengthier counterparts. This one started in spectacular fashion, with the annual—or … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Personal reflections, Technology, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The great February escape

Posted on February 25, 2025 by JJS

🇫🇷 Un plan se met en place pour 2026 Après une escapade dĂ©licieuse, bien que bien trop courte, Ă  Barcelone, une idĂ©e mĂ»rit dans mon esprit—une idĂ©e qui, comme un bon vin, ne fait que s’amĂ©liorer avec le temps. FĂ©vrier, … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat Life, Mediterranean lifestyle, Travel, Travel planning, Winter escape | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The week that was 07-25

Posted on February 16, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 Super Bowl, AI adventures & a hint of spring The week kicked off—quite literally—with a spectacularly short night, courtesy of my Tennessean friend and almost-neighbor, Charlie. He extended an invitation to watch Super Bowl LIX, an offer I could … Continue reading →

Posted in AI, Entertainment, Music, Personal Reflection, Seasonal Changes, Technology, Travel planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Unexpected paradise

Posted on February 14, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 Unforgettable escape to Sanya Tropical islands—they’re the stuff of dreams and the source of endless holiday envy. During my expat stint in Shanghai, I found myself with a few days off and a hankering for something different. Enter Sanya, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Beach Destinations, Expat Life, Personal adventures, Team Building, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Imagine

Posted on February 13, 2025 by JJS

🇫🇷 Un rĂŞve toujours en attente de se rĂ©aliser Il y a plus de 50 ans, John Lennon sortait Imagine, une chanson devenue un hymne Ă  la paix, Ă  l’unitĂ© et Ă  l’espoir. Ses paroles simples mais profondes dessinaient une … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture and Knowledge, Hope, Music, Peace, Personal Reflection, World & Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment