Monday, February 23, 2004
Lazy update
Don't really feel like updating much pretty tired and only half way through my day of teaching 6 classes plus I have football practice tonight. Didn't play in the game in Cannes hadn't received my lisence yet. We lost, I did play against Clermont-Ferrand last week. I will play on the 29th vs. Nice The game will be at 2pm sunday at Stade Pierre Dubouf. If any lyon people out there are following this blog you should come check out the game. It is just of the Tram2.
Had some relatives visit it was a good time. My nine year old cousin walked herself to the corner store and bought three bottles of sparkling wine as a valentines day present while her mom was on a run. Even the french people I have told were surpprised that a store would sell a 9 year old sparkling wine. We won the Johnny walshes pub quiz last night and the Smoking dog's on Feb 3. Bringing my victory total to 5. Saw a few movies in the last week. Cold Mountain was good. Watched Gangs of NY on DVD ot was good. I might type more later, but I just can't be bothered right now. need to stop hanging out with british people, I'm getting their slang.
Had some relatives visit it was a good time. My nine year old cousin walked herself to the corner store and bought three bottles of sparkling wine as a valentines day present while her mom was on a run. Even the french people I have told were surpprised that a store would sell a 9 year old sparkling wine. We won the Johnny walshes pub quiz last night and the Smoking dog's on Feb 3. Bringing my victory total to 5. Saw a few movies in the last week. Cold Mountain was good. Watched Gangs of NY on DVD ot was good. I might type more later, but I just can't be bothered right now. need to stop hanging out with british people, I'm getting their slang.
Thursday, January 15, 2004
American football in France.
I have gone to two practices this week. The first, on monday, they just watched film of saturdays game. Yesterday it was raining so the field was to wet to practice on. We did walk through some plays at 3/4 speed. It was fun, but I don't know how I will get in good enough shape to play four quarters of football with only two practices a week. The team plays at Montpellier this weekend. I should be able to play in the game after that. So here is my game schedule.
Jan 18, 2004 @ Montpellier
Feb 01, 2004 @ Cannes
Feb 15, 2004 Vs. Clermont-Ferrand
Feb 29, 2004 Vs. Nice
Mar 14, 2004 @ Thonon Les Bains
Mar 28, 2004 Vs. Montpellier
Apr 11, 2004 Vs. Cannes
Apr 25, 2004 @ Clermont-Ferrand
May 02, 2004 @ Nice
Jan 18, 2004 @ Montpellier
Feb 01, 2004 @ Cannes
Feb 15, 2004 Vs. Clermont-Ferrand
Feb 29, 2004 Vs. Nice
Mar 14, 2004 @ Thonon Les Bains
Mar 28, 2004 Vs. Montpellier
Apr 11, 2004 Vs. Cannes
Apr 25, 2004 @ Clermont-Ferrand
May 02, 2004 @ Nice
Monday, January 12, 2004
Falcons 6 - Panthers 49
I watched the Lyon Falcons play yesterday. It was a lot of fun to watch. Unfortunately they were playing a team much better than them so they didn't really stand a chance. The game was full of penalties, mental errors, and just plain bad football. I talked to the head coach after the game and am planning on going to practice tonight finally.
...but my friends call me Colt.
I have aquired a new nickname. Only amongst a few people and I don't think it will stick. That new nick name is "Colt". I was at the St. James the other night talking with a few people when a girl entered the pub. As she wlked up to us she pointed at me and said "I know you. Your name's Colt." Everyone was quite amused that Colt was what came to mind so now they are trying to call me by that.
Thursday, January 08, 2004
Christmas briefly
I spent break in Lyon. Christmas eve I had a few people over to play cards. Talking to everyone who was spending time in Moose Lake made it feel like christmass and I felt fine after that. Christmas day the people I had over the night before had a dinner at their place. New Years eve was a costume party at J.B.'s country house again. The theme was cartoons and fairytales, so I went as a night in shinning armor. Made out of Cardboard, aluminum foil and duct tape. I'll expand on all this a little later, but I have to get to class.
Soo Many things, such q pqin to type them on a French keyboard.
I haven't posted to this for so long I was sure nobody but my parents still bothered to check this site. Then I got an email from another assistant wondering if I was still planning on posting at all, so I figured I would try to bring things up to date as much as possible. Too keep thiings eqsy to understand I will post a series of blogs in the order they should have been posted.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Cabin party in Claveyson
I finally got outside of Lyon for the first time since I arrived here. Last weekend J.B., the brother from my old host family, invited me to a party at his country house. There were 10 of us and it was a really good time. I got to play Taboo in French which was really hard but Noah another American was on the other team so it evened things out.
The weather was really amazing. We spent a bit of time outside on Saturday afternoon. I actually slept outside on Saturday night, and on Sunday morning it felt more like a warm spring day than Dec 14th. The house has changed a lot since I saw it last time, over a year ago. Most of the changes are in the upstairs part of the house which was a dingy cobweb filled attic the last time I saw it. You couldn't walk around up their unless you made sure to step on the beams. Since then they have put in a new floor it has been cleaned up. Light fixtures have been added and three beds have been brought it.
The weather was really amazing. We spent a bit of time outside on Saturday afternoon. I actually slept outside on Saturday night, and on Sunday morning it felt more like a warm spring day than Dec 14th. The house has changed a lot since I saw it last time, over a year ago. Most of the changes are in the upstairs part of the house which was a dingy cobweb filled attic the last time I saw it. You couldn't walk around up their unless you made sure to step on the beams. Since then they have put in a new floor it has been cleaned up. Light fixtures have been added and three beds have been brought it.
Sunday, November 30, 2003
Thanksgiving was a success
Let's pretend I posted this on Nov 30.
Well I had quite a successfull Fake Thanksgiving. Fake Thanksgiving is what I took to calling it because I had to have the dinner on Friday. I work on thursdays and couldn't spend all day cooking. I started on Wednesday looking for a turkey. I found a butcher shop at the Halles de Lyon that gets their turkeys in on thursday mornings and would keep at least one whole for me. It ended up being 8 Kilos or about 18 lbs. Wednesday and Thursday I bought other ingrediants. Thursday night I made the yeast rolls from Grandma Schwochert's recipie (but not nearly as well) and made cinnamon rolls with the leftover dough. Friday I ;ade the stuffing and took it over to Marty's apartment where the turkey would be cooking after putting that in the oven Andrew and I went to the train statino to pick up his friends who were visiting. There is something about going to pick up house guests that made it feel like a genuine holiday. I then juggled cooking everything else with watching the turkey at Marty's and trying to clean our apartment.
In the end everything turned out great. I managed to serve about 20 peopleq full turkey dinner with everything I consider necessary for Thanksgiving (except for Uncle Steve's pies). The make up of the group was about 5 Americans, 5 French, and 10 Canadians. My, completely objective, review of the meal was this; Stuffing ran out first as usual. The rolls were a little dry. Everyone was quite surprised how much they liked the scalloped corn. Turkey gravy and mashed potatoes turned out good. I did slightly burn the marshmellows on the sweet potatoes, but they were still good. Appearently nobody eats black olives the way my family does. After being so excited about finding pitted black olives in a can that tasted like they do in the states, I was the only one who ate them. Also Kate Stine's homemade apple pie was a hit.
After we finished off the 10 bottles of wine my guests brought, we headed down to the St James. I wanted to take Wendall the Texan bar manager a plate of food. After I gave it to him he offered me a pint on the house. After trying the food and seeing all that I had broght him, he told me I would be drinking free for the rest of the night. Although I missed seeing all my realtives and there was no pecan or pumpkin pie, having actually prepared the meal myself, it was one of the best Thanksgivings I've ever had.
Well I had quite a successfull Fake Thanksgiving. Fake Thanksgiving is what I took to calling it because I had to have the dinner on Friday. I work on thursdays and couldn't spend all day cooking. I started on Wednesday looking for a turkey. I found a butcher shop at the Halles de Lyon that gets their turkeys in on thursday mornings and would keep at least one whole for me. It ended up being 8 Kilos or about 18 lbs. Wednesday and Thursday I bought other ingrediants. Thursday night I made the yeast rolls from Grandma Schwochert's recipie (but not nearly as well) and made cinnamon rolls with the leftover dough. Friday I ;ade the stuffing and took it over to Marty's apartment where the turkey would be cooking after putting that in the oven Andrew and I went to the train statino to pick up his friends who were visiting. There is something about going to pick up house guests that made it feel like a genuine holiday. I then juggled cooking everything else with watching the turkey at Marty's and trying to clean our apartment.
In the end everything turned out great. I managed to serve about 20 peopleq full turkey dinner with everything I consider necessary for Thanksgiving (except for Uncle Steve's pies). The make up of the group was about 5 Americans, 5 French, and 10 Canadians. My, completely objective, review of the meal was this; Stuffing ran out first as usual. The rolls were a little dry. Everyone was quite surprised how much they liked the scalloped corn. Turkey gravy and mashed potatoes turned out good. I did slightly burn the marshmellows on the sweet potatoes, but they were still good. Appearently nobody eats black olives the way my family does. After being so excited about finding pitted black olives in a can that tasted like they do in the states, I was the only one who ate them. Also Kate Stine's homemade apple pie was a hit.
After we finished off the 10 bottles of wine my guests brought, we headed down to the St James. I wanted to take Wendall the Texan bar manager a plate of food. After I gave it to him he offered me a pint on the house. After trying the food and seeing all that I had broght him, he told me I would be drinking free for the rest of the night. Although I missed seeing all my realtives and there was no pecan or pumpkin pie, having actually prepared the meal myself, it was one of the best Thanksgivings I've ever had.
Monday, November 17, 2003
I'm still alive
I only get to the internet once or twice a week in Lyon, and the last two times I have tried to update this weblog the site has been down. I have found an Apartment!!!! We have been living there for almost three weeks now. It is everything I could have possibly hoped for. I furnished my room with a loveseat, coffee table, reading chair, three small chairs, a desk/table and a set of shelves for 115 euros. I had a really good time on my birthday last week.
I was just looking at my last post and realised it has been so long that I haven't mentioned that the week after we won the pub quiz, but not the moneeey, we won the quiz and the money. It was 260 euros to split between 10 people (everyone who helped a little got a share) so everyone got 20 euros and we spent the 60 remaining on beer. I have gotten second the last two weeks with much smaller teams. Tomorrow night we shall win again.
I was just looking at my last post and realised it has been so long that I haven't mentioned that the week after we won the pub quiz, but not the moneeey, we won the quiz and the money. It was 260 euros to split between 10 people (everyone who helped a little got a share) so everyone got 20 euros and we spent the 60 remaining on beer. I have gotten second the last two weeks with much smaller teams. Tomorrow night we shall win again.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Still Homeless
We turned in all our paper work last week for the apartment, and were told we should find out monday or tuesday. We still haven't heard, but we'll probably call again today. Right now we I am a few days into a week and a half of vacation. I had been sticking around Lyon for a few days till we heard about the apartment, figuring if we got it I would need to sign stuff and hand over some money, but tomorrow I am definitely heading out of the city for a few days. Thinking about Interlaken Switzerland. Then be back next week for either signing a lease and moving in, or hitting the streats looking for a room with a family or something like that.
Other than that we won the pub quiz qt the Smoking Dog on Tuesday. As the winners of the quiz you pick one of the bartenders hands. If you get the hand with the coin in it you get the prize money (91€) or the other hqnd qnd you get 250 CL of beer. We chose the empty hand which worked out to 1 pint per person for our 5 person team. The prestige of finally winning is far more important than the 19€ that would have been my share. The money would have been nice though.
We turned in all our paper work last week for the apartment, and were told we should find out monday or tuesday. We still haven't heard, but we'll probably call again today. Right now we I am a few days into a week and a half of vacation. I had been sticking around Lyon for a few days till we heard about the apartment, figuring if we got it I would need to sign stuff and hand over some money, but tomorrow I am definitely heading out of the city for a few days. Thinking about Interlaken Switzerland. Then be back next week for either signing a lease and moving in, or hitting the streats looking for a room with a family or something like that.
Other than that we won the pub quiz qt the Smoking Dog on Tuesday. As the winners of the quiz you pick one of the bartenders hands. If you get the hand with the coin in it you get the prize money (91€) or the other hqnd qnd you get 250 CL of beer. We chose the empty hand which worked out to 1 pint per person for our 5 person team. The prestige of finally winning is far more important than the 19€ that would have been my share. The money would have been nice though.
Monday, October 13, 2003
Happy Thanksgiving
To all the Canadians that is. We will be having instant mashed potatoes at "l'auberge" (the hostel) tonight to celebrate the holiday with our friends from the north. Notice I said at the hostel because that's where we still live. We have found some apartments, but until we find french citizens to cosign our leases we can't actually get an apartment. My three potential roomates all have found someone at their school, but I have yet to find one. The most irritating part is we were told at our orientation that we could use an orginization called LocaPass as our cosigner, but none of the agences we have found will accept LocaPass.
Yesterday we spent quite a nice day at the Parc. We got to see the Elephants, giraffes, monkeys, tigers, a panther, and even some pigeons. We then spent the rest of the afternoon laying on the grace planning a fictional barbeque. It was really nice weather and since nearly everything is closed on a sunday yu don't have to feel bad about accomplishing nothing.
To all the Canadians that is. We will be having instant mashed potatoes at "l'auberge" (the hostel) tonight to celebrate the holiday with our friends from the north. Notice I said at the hostel because that's where we still live. We have found some apartments, but until we find french citizens to cosign our leases we can't actually get an apartment. My three potential roomates all have found someone at their school, but I have yet to find one. The most irritating part is we were told at our orientation that we could use an orginization called LocaPass as our cosigner, but none of the agences we have found will accept LocaPass.
Yesterday we spent quite a nice day at the Parc. We got to see the Elephants, giraffes, monkeys, tigers, a panther, and even some pigeons. We then spent the rest of the afternoon laying on the grace planning a fictional barbeque. It was really nice weather and since nearly everything is closed on a sunday yu don't have to feel bad about accomplishing nothing.
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
Lycee Parc Chabriere
Well here I am, I went to my lycee today and got my teaching shedule. It looks like there are 11 classes I will be working with. I will meet with either a third or half the class once a week. So I will only see each student once every two or three weeks. I am still looking for an apartment. This is proving very difficult. I have a few potential roommates that I am looking with. We are trying to find either a 4 or 5 bedroom apartment. We have an appointment to see one tomorrow afternoon so keep your fingers crossed. I was told by a french student from Paris who is looking for a studio apartment that he thinks it is harder to find an apartment here than in Paris.
I have a lot of jealousy for assisntants who are provided with housing, not because it's probably either very cheap or even free, but because they are provided with it. Oh well, I don't have any classes to teach on Wednesday or Friday. So take that.
I have a lot of jealousy for assisntants who are provided with housing, not because it's probably either very cheap or even free, but because they are provided with it. Oh well, I don't have any classes to teach on Wednesday or Friday. So take that.
Saturday, September 27, 2003
I'm here
I don't feel like wrting much because the keyboard is french and I can barely hold my eyes open. Missed my connection in Paris and had to wait three hours for the next flight. Got to the hostel the view is amazing!!! I might go grab a pint of Beamish before I pass out for the next 17 hours.
I don't feel like wrting much because the keyboard is french and I can barely hold my eyes open. Missed my connection in Paris and had to wait three hours for the next flight. Got to the hostel the view is amazing!!! I might go grab a pint of Beamish before I pass out for the next 17 hours.
Friday, September 26, 2003
See You on the Other Side...
of the Atlantic that is. I'm writing this just before I head to the airport. I would normally be really excited about a long flight like this with free cocktails, and a stop at the NWA World Club before my flight, but I have a really bad cold right now. My luggage weighs a total of probably around 100lbs. My heaviest bag weighs in at 62lbs. So tomorrow I will be in Lyon with a really bad cold (I think the flight will make it worse), going on very little sleep, and dragging 100lbs to l'auberge de jueness de vieux Lyon "the youth hostel in old Lyon." Which I understand is at the top of a very large hill. I'll probably catch a cab from perrache to the hostel. Wish me luck.
of the Atlantic that is. I'm writing this just before I head to the airport. I would normally be really excited about a long flight like this with free cocktails, and a stop at the NWA World Club before my flight, but I have a really bad cold right now. My luggage weighs a total of probably around 100lbs. My heaviest bag weighs in at 62lbs. So tomorrow I will be in Lyon with a really bad cold (I think the flight will make it worse), going on very little sleep, and dragging 100lbs to l'auberge de jueness de vieux Lyon "the youth hostel in old Lyon." Which I understand is at the top of a very large hill. I'll probably catch a cab from perrache to the hostel. Wish me luck.
Thursday, September 25, 2003
I leave tomorrow
I can't beleive it. Time has flown by so fast. I can't beleive I'll be on an airplane in 24 hours. Today I went to AAA and bought 1000 Euros in travelers checks. It cost me $1245, two years ago I that would have cost me about $945. So now I have my visa, travellers checks, have started packing, and bought a digital camera. All I have left is a little more packing, a good nights sleep, and a ride to the airport. I think I'll have a bit more to write once I arrive in Lyon, I just hope I have regular access to a computer. When I finally get a place to stay hopefully I'll get DSL or sometype of internet access set up.
I can't beleive it. Time has flown by so fast. I can't beleive I'll be on an airplane in 24 hours. Today I went to AAA and bought 1000 Euros in travelers checks. It cost me $1245, two years ago I that would have cost me about $945. So now I have my visa, travellers checks, have started packing, and bought a digital camera. All I have left is a little more packing, a good nights sleep, and a ride to the airport. I think I'll have a bit more to write once I arrive in Lyon, I just hope I have regular access to a computer. When I finally get a place to stay hopefully I'll get DSL or sometype of internet access set up.
Got a Digital Camera
I bought a digital camera yesterday for the trip. It's an HP photosmart 735, 3.2 MP, 3X optical zoom and 5X Digital zoom. I spent $350 on the camera, a camera bag, and a 128M card for it. It's got lots of really cool features and I love it. So if anyone is looking for a digital camera I would reccomend that one, but I've only had it for one day so that could change, but I doubt it.
I bought a digital camera yesterday for the trip. It's an HP photosmart 735, 3.2 MP, 3X optical zoom and 5X Digital zoom. I spent $350 on the camera, a camera bag, and a 128M card for it. It's got lots of really cool features and I love it. So if anyone is looking for a digital camera I would reccomend that one, but I've only had it for one day so that could change, but I doubt it.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Went to D.C. and got my Visa
Well, my body learned its' lesson from last time. I went to bed last night about 1:30am and was planning on waking up between 6:00am and 6:30am, but I woke up at 4:30am. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fall asleep for more than a few minutes. I had a pretty tough time getting to the embassy, because so many roads in the area were closed because of power lines that were still down. Fortunately, I made it to the embassy with two hours to spare and got my visa without any problems. So now I have a visa, a plane ticket, and nothing that stands in my way from being in France in 4 days. I'm so excited, I think I'll go start packing.
Well, my body learned its' lesson from last time. I went to bed last night about 1:30am and was planning on waking up between 6:00am and 6:30am, but I woke up at 4:30am. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fall asleep for more than a few minutes. I had a pretty tough time getting to the embassy, because so many roads in the area were closed because of power lines that were still down. Fortunately, I made it to the embassy with two hours to spare and got my visa without any problems. So now I have a visa, a plane ticket, and nothing that stands in my way from being in France in 4 days. I'm so excited, I think I'll go start packing.
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Went to D.C. to get my Visa
I woke up early yesterday to drive to D.C. to get my visa, but I didn't get as early a start as I wanted, but I still had enough time if I hurried. Then I got lost, then I hit construction trafiic, then I got lost again. Finally I got to the embassy at 12:25, according to their website they close at 12:45. When they close do they stop letting people in, or do they they tell the people they already let in to leave? Well I wouldn't have a chance to find out because the gate was already closed and the sign said that they closed at 12:30. Good thing I had some friends to visit in Virginia, beacuase I think I would have been in a bad mood if I had spent 8 hours round trip just to check out the Beltway. It only took me 8 hours round trip because I got off my route (I wasn't lost) on the way back.
I woke up early yesterday to drive to D.C. to get my visa, but I didn't get as early a start as I wanted, but I still had enough time if I hurried. Then I got lost, then I hit construction trafiic, then I got lost again. Finally I got to the embassy at 12:25, according to their website they close at 12:45. When they close do they stop letting people in, or do they they tell the people they already let in to leave? Well I wouldn't have a chance to find out because the gate was already closed and the sign said that they closed at 12:30. Good thing I had some friends to visit in Virginia, beacuase I think I would have been in a bad mood if I had spent 8 hours round trip just to check out the Beltway. It only took me 8 hours round trip because I got off my route (I wasn't lost) on the way back.
Sunday, September 14, 2003
Shout out?
I am trying to add a comment option to my weblog. I just to see what, if anything, people think of my comments here.
I am trying to add a comment option to my weblog. I just to see what, if anything, people think of my comments here.
Friday, September 12, 2003
Two Weeks and Counting
I leave two weeks from right about now. I was at work today when I realized that it was friday, the fateful day every week when I can say "I leave for france in exactly ____ weeks". Three weeks sure sounded close, but two is really exciting. I am now starting to mentally assemble a packing list of all the things that I am going to take, and I am so excited. Watching The Real World: Paris this week I heard the ding at the train station before there is an announcement like "le TGV, a Geneve depart...." and seeing the architecture in Paris made me realize how long ago it was when I was getting ready to leave Lyon at the end of my summer abroad, and I am so excited to go back.
I leave two weeks from right about now. I was at work today when I realized that it was friday, the fateful day every week when I can say "I leave for france in exactly ____ weeks". Three weeks sure sounded close, but two is really exciting. I am now starting to mentally assemble a packing list of all the things that I am going to take, and I am so excited. Watching The Real World: Paris this week I heard the ding at the train station before there is an announcement like "le TGV, a Geneve depart...." and seeing the architecture in Paris made me realize how long ago it was when I was getting ready to leave Lyon at the end of my summer abroad, and I am so excited to go back.
Sunday, September 07, 2003
We Have Contact...
With my school that is. The head of the English department at LGT Parc de Chambrieres has emailed me back. She says they have two rooms for assistants to stay in, unfortunately they are being renovated this year. She also tells me there will be one other English assistant at the school, she is British. Other than that all the information I got was the school does not have the technology to read American video cassettes, and the women who wrote me was pleased that I had been in Lyon before so I will be less of a problem getting settled in.
With my school that is. The head of the English department at LGT Parc de Chambrieres has emailed me back. She says they have two rooms for assistants to stay in, unfortunately they are being renovated this year. She also tells me there will be one other English assistant at the school, she is British. Other than that all the information I got was the school does not have the technology to read American video cassettes, and the women who wrote me was pleased that I had been in Lyon before so I will be less of a problem getting settled in.
I'm in Yahoo and Google.
My blog can now be found in searches on Yahoo and Google. From what my tracker tells me, other than me searching terms that would obviously lead me to this website to find out if it is in there, people have come across my website repeatedly by searching for the terms "sunburn itch". I searched for these terms myself and found that on Yahoo my site is the 8th most relevant site for these terms. 5 people so far have come across my weblog while searching for relief.
My blog can now be found in searches on Yahoo and Google. From what my tracker tells me, other than me searching terms that would obviously lead me to this website to find out if it is in there, people have come across my website repeatedly by searching for the terms "sunburn itch". I searched for these terms myself and found that on Yahoo my site is the 8th most relevant site for these terms. 5 people so far have come across my weblog while searching for relief.
Monday, September 01, 2003
Just watched Howard Dean on T.V.
CSPAN showed a Howard Dean Rally on TV the other day and it was a great speach. If I wasn't going to be in France for the next seven months I think I would be looking for a way to participate in trying to get him nominated as the democratic candidate and being elected president. I've watched him on T.V. when I've had the chance and it's the first time I've gotten excited about something political since I wrote a letter to the editor about Sen. Paul Wellstone last fall. I was really hoping Sen. Joe Biden would enter the race, but after watching Dean's Rally in NY on CSPAN, I'm ready to support Dean. If you want to check out the speach click on the link to the left and choose from many of his recent rallies to watch.
CSPAN showed a Howard Dean Rally on TV the other day and it was a great speach. If I wasn't going to be in France for the next seven months I think I would be looking for a way to participate in trying to get him nominated as the democratic candidate and being elected president. I've watched him on T.V. when I've had the chance and it's the first time I've gotten excited about something political since I wrote a letter to the editor about Sen. Paul Wellstone last fall. I was really hoping Sen. Joe Biden would enter the race, but after watching Dean's Rally in NY on CSPAN, I'm ready to support Dean. If you want to check out the speach click on the link to the left and choose from many of his recent rallies to watch.
I don't like that title
I don't like how the title looks on that post, so I think I'll stick with just putting bold type at the begining of my posts.
I don't like how the title looks on that post, so I think I'll stick with just putting bold type at the begining of my posts.
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
What does a title look like?
Well Blogger now lets me enter a title on my blog. I wonder if it will look any differant thatn what I was doing before making them bold. Added two new pictures on the left. I'm using photos.yahoo.com we'll see how that works. Pretty soon I'll probably decide to actually pay some money to use a web hosting service. Maybe I'll be able to pay for that out of my poker winnings.
Monday, August 25, 2003
I Got My Arrete, I Got My Arrete,
I Got my Arrete, Whoooo-Oooo-Hooo-Ooooo
That's what I have been running around singing. The mailman rang the doorbell today because my college diploma wouldn't fit in the mailbox, but I almost tossed that package over my shoulder when I saw the return address on a brown envelope said Academie de Lyon. I tore it open and saw that my school was located in Oullins. Could be a suburb, could be a podunk town, I was pretty sure that the 69600 postal code meant that it was in the Rhone Department, but I wasn't even sure about that. So I sprinted upstairs to the computer, releived to find I had left the internet connected because I had not a second to spare. I went to fr.yahoo.com typed in Oullins hit recherche and some of the responses seemed encouraging. There were plenty of sites; clubs for badmitten, ping-pong, volleyball, and a youth centre of some sort. Clearly Oullins is no Bellignant (a tiny town one assistant I heard from is assigned to), but is it close to Lyon? I went back to fr.yahoo.com and found the map part and put in the shool's address. I zoomed out and found the school is located just to the south of the Presqu'ile. The school is on the same bus line that I always took into Lyon, just on the opposite of Lyon than Caluire is. I can pretty much live anywhere in the Lyon metro area. As long as there is TCL service, I'll be able to get to and from the school. Then again with those pesky TCL workers and their greves I should probably try to find a place within biking distance.
I Got my Arrete, Whoooo-Oooo-Hooo-Ooooo
That's what I have been running around singing. The mailman rang the doorbell today because my college diploma wouldn't fit in the mailbox, but I almost tossed that package over my shoulder when I saw the return address on a brown envelope said Academie de Lyon. I tore it open and saw that my school was located in Oullins. Could be a suburb, could be a podunk town, I was pretty sure that the 69600 postal code meant that it was in the Rhone Department, but I wasn't even sure about that. So I sprinted upstairs to the computer, releived to find I had left the internet connected because I had not a second to spare. I went to fr.yahoo.com typed in Oullins hit recherche and some of the responses seemed encouraging. There were plenty of sites; clubs for badmitten, ping-pong, volleyball, and a youth centre of some sort. Clearly Oullins is no Bellignant (a tiny town one assistant I heard from is assigned to), but is it close to Lyon? I went back to fr.yahoo.com and found the map part and put in the shool's address. I zoomed out and found the school is located just to the south of the Presqu'ile. The school is on the same bus line that I always took into Lyon, just on the opposite of Lyon than Caluire is. I can pretty much live anywhere in the Lyon metro area. As long as there is TCL service, I'll be able to get to and from the school. Then again with those pesky TCL workers and their greves I should probably try to find a place within biking distance.
Friday, August 22, 2003
Concerts and Sunburn
I've never had a sunburn itch this much, and it's making it impossible to sleep. To make productive use of being awake at 3 am I've been looking at tour schedules on-line, and have found a few concerts I might want to check out. Blur will be in Zurich during my first week and a half vacation. During the same vacation I could see Bob Dylan if I could make it to Prague, Munich, or Rome. Radiohead will be playing in Paris on Nov 17th, and after the show I saw on Monday I would love to see them again. As I mentioned earlier Ben Harper will be in Lyon on Nov. 14th, and he's playing in many other cities in France in the time around then. Too bad Jack Johnson won't still be touring with Ben Harper. If that were the case I would definitely be trying to catch that show more than once.
I've never had a sunburn itch this much, and it's making it impossible to sleep. To make productive use of being awake at 3 am I've been looking at tour schedules on-line, and have found a few concerts I might want to check out. Blur will be in Zurich during my first week and a half vacation. During the same vacation I could see Bob Dylan if I could make it to Prague, Munich, or Rome. Radiohead will be playing in Paris on Nov 17th, and after the show I saw on Monday I would love to see them again. As I mentioned earlier Ben Harper will be in Lyon on Nov. 14th, and he's playing in many other cities in France in the time around then. Too bad Jack Johnson won't still be touring with Ben Harper. If that were the case I would definitely be trying to catch that show more than once.
Thursday, August 21, 2003
Just Back From the Jersey Shore
Two big firsts for me since Sunday, my first trip to the Jersey shore and my first Radiohead concert. I drove down to visit a few friends in Wildwood, NJ on Sunday. I was going to have to entertain myself for the evening on Monday when they drove to Camden for a concert, but there ended up being an extra ticket. I'm not very familiar with Radiohead besides the few major singles they have had, but figured I would enjoy the show. It was absolutely amazing. I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed the show, maybe I'll have to check out if they're going to have any shows in or near France this fall. Speaking of which I need to start looking for a few concerts to try and catch while I'm over there. I know Ben Harper will be in Lyon the day after my 23rd birthday so I'll probably check that out.
Still No Arrete
I still haven't gotten my arrete, but I do have encouraging news. Apparently Lyon and some regions have tried using some sort of new database this year, but it is failing miserably so they have to do it all manually and there is no surprise that many of us haven't received our arretes. It is still irritating, but I don't have anything to worry about.
Two big firsts for me since Sunday, my first trip to the Jersey shore and my first Radiohead concert. I drove down to visit a few friends in Wildwood, NJ on Sunday. I was going to have to entertain myself for the evening on Monday when they drove to Camden for a concert, but there ended up being an extra ticket. I'm not very familiar with Radiohead besides the few major singles they have had, but figured I would enjoy the show. It was absolutely amazing. I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed the show, maybe I'll have to check out if they're going to have any shows in or near France this fall. Speaking of which I need to start looking for a few concerts to try and catch while I'm over there. I know Ben Harper will be in Lyon the day after my 23rd birthday so I'll probably check that out.
Still No Arrete
I still haven't gotten my arrete, but I do have encouraging news. Apparently Lyon and some regions have tried using some sort of new database this year, but it is failing miserably so they have to do it all manually and there is no surprise that many of us haven't received our arretes. It is still irritating, but I don't have anything to worry about.
Sunday, August 17, 2003
Has my Arrete Arrived
I ended my post last night as soon as I realized that I hadn't checked the mail that day. So I went down stairs to see where the mail had been put while I was at work, lo and behold.... my arrete still hasn't arrived. This is drving me nuts. Unlike some academies Lyon doesn't tell you the name or location of your school before you receive your arrete so I still have no idea what part of the academie I'll be posted in, maybe tomorrow. I'm off to work, fortunately today I don't have to work a double. I got out of my evening shift to go meet with other assistants from the Philly area.
I ended my post last night as soon as I realized that I hadn't checked the mail that day. So I went down stairs to see where the mail had been put while I was at work, lo and behold.... my arrete still hasn't arrived. This is drving me nuts. Unlike some academies Lyon doesn't tell you the name or location of your school before you receive your arrete so I still have no idea what part of the academie I'll be posted in, maybe tomorrow. I'm off to work, fortunately today I don't have to work a double. I got out of my evening shift to go meet with other assistants from the Philly area.
American Football in France
I have found a way to pass some time while in France, meet some French people, and get some exercise. I'm going to try and play football, American Football that is, for a team in Lyon. Les Falcons de Bron-Villeurbanne. I was looking at their website and the biggest person on their roster is 108 Kg. Right now I'm about 100 Kg (220 lbs) which would make me the 4th biggest player on the team. I figure that playing high school football here has got to match up against almost the most experianced players on their team (I played for 6 years and we had to practice 5 days a week). When I played there were four other guys on the offensive line who weighed at least 120 Kg (265 lbs) and maybe a total of 15 guys on the team who would be the biggest player on the Lyon team. I'm thinking about sending an email to the contact person to find about more information about whether or not I could play, but I'm a little hesitant to send an email of to a coplete stranger in my broken french. For the first time I am really hoping that when I receive my arrete it says I'm at a school in or near Lyon.
I have found a way to pass some time while in France, meet some French people, and get some exercise. I'm going to try and play football, American Football that is, for a team in Lyon. Les Falcons de Bron-Villeurbanne. I was looking at their website and the biggest person on their roster is 108 Kg. Right now I'm about 100 Kg (220 lbs) which would make me the 4th biggest player on the team. I figure that playing high school football here has got to match up against almost the most experianced players on their team (I played for 6 years and we had to practice 5 days a week). When I played there were four other guys on the offensive line who weighed at least 120 Kg (265 lbs) and maybe a total of 15 guys on the team who would be the biggest player on the Lyon team. I'm thinking about sending an email to the contact person to find about more information about whether or not I could play, but I'm a little hesitant to send an email of to a coplete stranger in my broken french. For the first time I am really hoping that when I receive my arrete it says I'm at a school in or near Lyon.
Saturday, August 16, 2003
Well I had my first documented visitor to my blog so now I do have to check for typos. I received a very helpful email from Stephen assuring me he is not a stalker and suggesting a tracker I could use. I am inclined to beleive he isn't stalking me partly because his suggestion was very helpful, but mostly because I had always pictured my stalker(s) as being female. I do now have a tracker on my site so I will be able to find out if anyone actually is checking out my site from time to time. But thanks again to Stephen for the information about the trackers. You can check out his Blog if you have the time. If you do look at it you will find out he has already received his arrete, which is why I dislike him right now. More on my arrete envy later.
Friday, August 15, 2003
Work is so slow today that I actually have two hours off between my shifts. Although the Exton Square Mall is very exciting I decided to spend my little break at home. I removed the link to my old school website with the photos and created links directly to the photos, that way all my previously mentioned stalkers can see what I look like and decide whether or not they would like to continue stalking me.
Well I'm off to spend 36 of the next 60 hours waiting tables. It should be a good time. I hope we're crazy busy and it's worth my time.
I sure wish with the free blogspot site that you could get a tracker becuase it would be nice to know if anyone see's this. Actually it would be most usefull just to know that, in fact, no one sees this because then I wouldn't haven't to worry about spelling and typos. I'm someone who by nature is sloppy and doesn't worry about small details. Yet for some strange reason, I am almost neurotic about spelling errors and typos when posting to a website, sending a letter to the editor, working on my blog, etc.. And let me tell you it is very, very hard to be neurotic about that when your spelling and grammer are as atrocious as mine.
I sure wish with the free blogspot site that you could get a tracker becuase it would be nice to know if anyone see's this. Actually it would be most usefull just to know that, in fact, no one sees this because then I wouldn't haven't to worry about spelling and typos. I'm someone who by nature is sloppy and doesn't worry about small details. Yet for some strange reason, I am almost neurotic about spelling errors and typos when posting to a website, sending a letter to the editor, working on my blog, etc.. And let me tell you it is very, very hard to be neurotic about that when your spelling and grammer are as atrocious as mine.
Thursday, August 14, 2003
Well I figured out how to change the links on this blog. Step one in making it slightly interesting. Now all I need is someone to write interesting things for me and then I would be set. I do realize that I am probably talking to myself here, but I'm just trying to get used to this format. Then again now that I have this listed as my website on the assistant's website I might get someone stalking me trying to figure out who it is that left that insightful post about Bouygues Telecom. Well look to the link on the side and go look at some OLD photos I posted a few years ago. That's right I said it, I called you a stalker.
Well this is day one of my Blog. I am trying this out as a first forray into having some type of website. I'd like to have an actual web site, where the blog is only a part of it, that doesn't force my users to look at ads. If anyone actually finds this and has some low cost (or preferably free) options to suggest let me know. I may end up using Yahoo $12/month for 50MB.
