This Is Why I Can't Have Nice Things

In the course of my "spring" cleaning, my need for new carpet became clear again.  The carpet in my condo is about as cheap as you can get, and I discovered after moving in that there is absolutely no pad underneath it.  The thinly-cushioned concrete floors are not so great for my back.  So while vacuuming I resolved to get new carpet with a pad within the year.

Then this email conversation happened:

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Jason: 

Fares to Europe starting at only $250* each-way

September & October departures

Each-way based on round-trip. Taxes & fees of up to $250 per round-trip not included New York - London $315* Miami - Manchester $250* Boston - Paris $313* Wash. D.C. - Barcelona $365* Seattle - Paris $354* New York - Florence $399* see more fares

Is this our chance to redeem ourselves in your parents' eyes (and the eyes of their extended circle of friends)?  

If we could find departure dates for the week of Thanksgiving, I would do it (looks like everything's October,though)


Me:

I'm tempted, too.  Enough to do a little research and discover that the best price right now for WAS to PAR is $860 round trip.  I'd have to take the Monday and Tuesday of that week off work, so it depends on the permission of my principal, but it's definitely worth watching.

Think any christkindlemarkts would be up by then?

Jason:

Okay, then let's keep an eye out, and I'll hold off buying tickets to Las Vegas.  I can't remember exactly when the marches de noel go up.  I'll see if I can find anything online. 

One annoying thing about having committed to do the choir concert is that it means I have to be in town the Sat and Sun before Thanksgiving, which means the earliest I could leave would be Sunday evening (the concert's at 3:30pm).

Me:

Although that could mean that I can see your concert....

(The next day...)

Me:

I'm falling more and more in love with the idea of Paris for
Thanksgiving - enough to stay up later than I should tonight
researching airfare.  For example:

AirFrance
Non-stop Washington - Paris
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Dep. IAD 9:45 PM, Arr 11:15 AM CDG (+1 Day)

Nonstop Paris - Washington
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Dep. CDG 10:50 AM, Arr IAD 1:10 PM

$835.26 each

Of course, I would then have to hop in a cab and go directly to DCA to
catch a 6:00 flight home in time to get ~4 hours of sleep before
teaching the next morning.

Totally worth it.

I also started thinking about something like this:
http://www.parissweethome.com/parisrentals/paris.php?id=89
While not certain about the location, paying approx. $250 each for the
entire week's lodging is not bad at all.

The short of it is this:

1) The sooner I put in the request for the days off, the more likely my principal will accept them,
and
2) I'm game if you are!

Call me if you get a chance this weekend and you want to discuss. 


Jason:
Awesome - I like this itinerary.  Let's definitely talk this weekend. 
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This is why I haven't gotten new carpet yet.  I'm afraid there is always a more pressing expense.