Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving from France!

Tonight Frenchy and I had a lovely dinner of chicken and potatoes (ok, ok, close enough) and marveled at how happy we are and how great life is. And then ...

Noelle: I'm very thankful for you, sweetie.
Frenchy: And I'm thankful to you too... uh, I'm thankful FOR you... uh whatever THAT means...

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Blog slowdown

So here is where I apologize for going nearly the whole month of November without a single post. But I apologize mostly to myself, because really this blog is for me, even if I share it with anyone who is bored enough to read it. It´s fun to occasionally go back and relive the weird and wacky moments that make up my bizarre existence.

So for my own sake, I vow to resume posting regularly!

I guess my only excuse is that the majority of my day is spent working. And though there are PLENTY of things to write about work (some good, some not-so-good, but nearly all ridiculous and often funny), I know it´s not always the best idea to blather on about work on a blog.

But even that is no excuse because my non-work time is still very busy and entertaining. At least, it is for me. Let´s see... looking back in my calendar... we´ve had an election, and a very exciting one at that, with lots of interesting and positive feedback in Europe, I´ve done some paperwork for some other interesting things, I´ve been to Stockholm and haven´t even mentioned a word about it till now, I´ve worked in London for three days, with another to come tomorrow, I´ve played my first soccer match in a Paris suburb (and been severely gashed with metal studs - yikes), I´ve been to a doctor, and to my first rugby match, and there´s still one more weekend left... which I´ll spend in Prague!

Plus, this is my last month of my 20s!!!!! You´d think I´d have written something every day in commemoration! Whoops.

So really, I have no excuse. Time to get back on the wagon! You´re all welcome to join! :)

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Why I'm Happy It's Election Day

Well, quite simply, I'm sick of hearing about the election. I'm sick of everyone in Europe demanding that I vote for Obama OR ELSE. I'm sick of people who have no idea what they're talking about lecturing me. It's all really old.

That having been said, being an American in Europe during the Bush years really sucks, so I'm looking forward to change. ANY change.

Last week I had to go to Barcelona to get a piece of paper that allows me to travel around while I wait for my new resident card. Another day of my life lost to a long line and paperwork. On the way back to Paris, I showed a security agent my boarding pass and passport in the Barcelona airport in order to go through security. He looked at my passport and, without even opening it, said in the most evil voice ever, "Ameeeeerican." Then a pause, followed by, "Buuuuuush. George Buuuuush."

I didn't even have the nerve to look him in the eye. It continued...

Security guard: You like Bush? Or Obama?
Me: (figuring that if he really wanted to speak English, then sure no prob) They're not even running against each other.
Guard: (confused) You like Bush or Obama?
Me: Bush isn't RUNNING!
Guard: YOU LIKE OBAMA??
Me: If I tell you I like Obama, can I have my passport back and go through security now?
Guard: Obama?
Me: Yes! Obama! I like Obama! I love Obama. Can I go now?

Then he gave me back my passport. And I angrily took off half my clothes in order to pass through security.

So yeah, I'm excited for this to be over. Go Obama.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

T- 5 months

Last night Frenchy and I went to see an old friend of his to have dinner and play video games. At one point we were talking about New York and I mentioned that the NYC Marathon was today, and we got to talking about marathons. Apparently Quentin's friend had run a marathon on a sort of bet a few years back.

Well evidently the conversation (or, more likely, the wine) led me to think it was a good idea to register for the 2009 Paris Marathon around 1am this morning. When I woke up my first thought was, What a funny dream! And then I realized, wow, I've drunk registered for a marathon. I wonder if Google can develop something to prevent this.

In reality, the Paris marathon is something I've been thinking about doing since August. And hey, nothing like middle-of-the-night race registration to move you from the thinking phase to the reality phase. And so I took my reality phase to the park today and ran 10 kilometers. This marathon thing is going to be a snap. (Just have to be able to add another 32km....)