The Office Ends

For as far back as I can remember, there has always been a television show that has been targeted to my age group.

Over the years, I remember watching Full House, Saved by the Bell, Beverly Hills 90210, and Friends.  Each of these shows seemed to be made for me.  Most recently, The Office coincided with me getting my first real office job.  A few weeks ago, the series finale aired, which I watched today.

Here are some notes on how I felt watching the show

• I felt a strong sense of sad nostalgia.  Unlike school, where there is a new beginning after graduation, the end of office life seems depressing.  Most of my youth was spent studying for a career, and when that career is over, I don't know what I will do or how I will feel.  
• I wonder what show will capture the mood of my next stages in life.  Maybe (if I have kids) it will be Modern Family.  I wonder if shows will continue to target my age group anymore.  For example, MTV seems to target the teen audience.  
• I always thought Michael was the star of the show, and then maybe Jim or Dwight.  But now I think it was Pam.  She had the most to learn, the most to overcome and the greatest lessons to impart.

Brazil Trip - Igauzu Falls

I just returned from a 10 day trip to Brazil. We went to Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, and the Amazon Rainforest via the city of Manaus.

In this post, I've noted some notes and tips about visiting the Iguazu Falls.  You can visit the falls from either Brazil or Argentina, but we only saw the view from Brazil.

• Try to sit on the top level of the double decker buses that take you from the main entrance to the falls.  On the way there, sit on the right side side, and on the way back, sit on the left side.
• Go to the bird park.  You get an extremely close up view of many birds.  Our favorite was probably the Toucan.  We enjoyed the bird park about as much as we liked the falls.
• Try to book a flight that doesn't leave too early or too late, so that you can take the public bus from the city center to the airport.  It is much cheaper. 
• We went to Bufalo Branco Churrascaria.  The meat was ok, but a little bit rare for our tastes.  The salad bar is pretty meager.  If you do plan on going to this or any churrascaria, make sure you have a translator or a word list of the major meats so that you have an idea of whether you are eating beef, chicken, lamb, or whatever.
• We stayed at the Aquas do Iguacu Hotel.  The location is close to the bus stop and to a few restaurants.  The breakfast food tasted a bit stale and we had an issue with a bunch of bees flying all over the dining area.  Overall, this hotel is affordable and just sufficient.