I’ve found a place that I simply adore in Vienna. I decided that I simply couldn’t come to Vienna and not visit the American Bar. Honestly, I believe in experiencing the culture of the country that I’m in, but I was curious. So I went with Victoria down to Stephansplatz to show her where to buy a headset. She took off as I was shopping for tights and I decided to stop at Loos – The American Bar on my way back to the U-Bahn station. And I adore it. Apparently, the bar was designed by Adolf Loos in 1908 after an extended stay in the United States. Apparently the bar marked the beginning of the modern architectural trend in Vienna. It was restored in 1985 and then again in 1989. It’s very, very small and dimly lit by tables that have lamps in them with clear tops and wall sconces that have gold curtains to shade them. Green leather booths line one wall and a bar with wicker stools lines the other. If you want to sit outside, the bartender (who I swear I heard speak English, German, French and Italian in the hour that I sat there) is pleased to give you a blanket for your lap and a drink list so that you can sit and watch the people go by. It was so nice to just sit and enjoy the jazz/blues music that is piped in through speakers in a location that you can’t sort out. You can almost feel Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers sitting here to have a bit of something. I ordered a gimlet and it was really good. I must admit, I had two. A wee bit tipsy on the way home, but perfectly content and happy. This, I must say, is MY kind of bar. I so rarely find these places…and I am so delighted that I’ve found one so early in my stay here. So, if you’re on your way to Vienna, add the Loos American Bar to your list of places to pop into to your list. Oh, and then on the way home, I “found” Raul’s Sandwichtoast Bar just across the street and a bit east of my flat – which makes really good toasted sandwiches. See what happens when you actually LEAVE your apartment? Good things!
I was a bit insane today at work. The director called me at 10 am and wanted me to find a specific bit of case law pronto. It simply doesn’t exist. It has to do with waiving Article 34 in an arbitration agreement – thus allowing that there will be no opportunity for annulment of the award. I looked ALL DAY and didn’t find a single reference to that particular provision. I found it for Article 36 (which is somewhat like 34, but not quite), but not for Article 34. Frankly, there is oodles of case law that shows parties had agreed not to appeal as a part of their agreement to arbitrate, but none of them refer back to the UNCITRAL Model Arbitration Law. I wanted so badly to find the ONE case that would help, but it doesn’t exist. At least, not that I could find. I combed the CLOUT case law and did some poking around online. I thought about contacting the National Arbitration Forum in Minneapolis, but somehow feel like asking them would be cheating. I might spend a bit more time tonight searching. Something tells me that it’s out there, but I just can’t find it. It certainly doesn’t help that my computer thinks it’s 1985 and it can act that slowly.
Phew! Still a bit tipsy from the double dose of gimlet. But it was just so nice.
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