PhillipPerry.com

In my first blog post, I wrote:

For all my years working with the web, I’ve never consistently blogged, but fortunately, that’s about to change.  That’s because I’m about to embark on an amazing new opportunity that has inspired me to write about the daily happenings in my life for my friends and family.

Daily happenings? I know, I know. It’s been a month since my last blog post, and that is absolutely, positively unacceptable. So to tide you over until the next post, I’ve included the list of things I miss below, which I started to write last week and finished up in my head while I was sick in bed this weekend.

8.) My own washer and dryer: Between taxi drivers not being able to find my laundromat to going three days in a row because my clothes still weren’t completed to paying an arm and a leg every two weeks, I could really go for my own washer and dryer. Needless to say, I never knew that laundry could be such an adventure. And here all I wanted was a coin laundromat, which doesn’t seem to exist in Tirana.

7.) Google maps: You don’t realize how reliant you are on some technologies until they stop working. I couldn’t figure out why Google Maps wasn’t working for any addresses I tried to pull up in Tirana, but then I was informed that there are some streets which still don’t even have a street name. That would explain it.

6.) American coffee: Don’t get me wrong, I have acquired a great appreciation for the strength of European coffee, but sometimes you just gotta have a Starbucks Cafe Latte with two Splendas. But before I get myself into trouble, I want to get a quick shameless plug in for the Tuscan Sun Coffee House if you live in Tallahassee. They beat Starbucks hands down!

5.) Florida politics: It’s easy to feel out of the loop when you’re far away and not in the thick of things. It’s especially so when Florida is on the verge on having one of the most exciting political cycles in modern history. We’ll just have to wait and see what Gov. Crist announces in a few weeks.

4.) Driving: Walking around the city is enjoyable – especially on a beautiful day – and taxis are an efficient means of transportation if you’re in a hurry, or the weather is bad. All of that is true, but there is a certain freedom to being able to get in your car at any time and go wherever you want. Fortunately, I did find a nice taxi driver name Jhevi who speaks decent English and helps me out when I need it.

3.) Bar-b-q and Mexican: There are a few restaurants that make a valiant effort at Mexican in Tirana, but the spiciness is definitely a missing ingredient. And what I would do for Sonny’s – or any other type of barbq – you have no idea. Gimme some sweet tea and pulled pork!

2.) Friends: It’s always nice to grab a drink with familiar faces, which I look forward to doing more of when I return, especially at this newfangled trivia night in Tallahassee. I’m glad to hear about all my Obama colleagues getting jobs in DC, and to those that are patiently waiting – hang in there.

1.) Family: Lots of good things are going on in my family right now. My Dad got another dog. My twin sister is having a baby boy in June. My brother and sister are doing great as managers at their stores, and my Mom and step dad are finishing up remodeling their house. Josh is doing well, and he is actually coming to visit me later this week. I can’t wait! There should be more fun stuff on the blog then.

If you think of something else I should be missing, then drop me a note in the comments.

I will try to do a better job of posting. If you want to get quick updates in real time, you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/phillipperry or at the top of my blog. Until next time…

UPDATE: #9 is fishing, and that’s not just because I’m in Albania. It’s been way too long since I’ve been bass fishing with my Dad!

Phil Blog Albania