Chapter 25: Big Wheel Keep on Turning

nerd blog post #28

Greetings,

Today's nerd blog title is a shout out to four things:
1. Something French
2. Something French
3. Someone American
4. A favourite pastime
Eight points to anyone who can guess them. They will be published in my next nerd blog post.

Also, David would like me to add that on the day I moved, I also helped carry an extremely awkward love seat through the Village to his apartment. He's offered me Canadian points for posting that. They are, unfortunately, non-transferable. I only accept letters and Skype calls. But yes, that also happened on August 26th, 2008. I hope you're enjoying it, DC!

Okay. Ahem.

German class was overwhelming. I'm still not discouraged, but I am behind and rattled at the end of the two hours. I had my homework done and participated all over the place. I sit in the front, next to one of my students, which is nice. I was kind of annoyed, though, because the teacher is kind of stern, and twice corrected my "American" accent. The third time, she pointed out to the class my "American" accent, and I was embarrassed that I was wrong (again) and didn't like the assumption. "Je suis canadienne!" She was quick to respond, "Tu as un accent americain." I was frustrated. "Non. J'ai un accent canadien." She moved on. After class, I stayed back to apologize for talking back. She apologized for pointing it out to everyone. Then we kissed. Not really. But we're pals now. I have a lot of homework before Friday's class...

Yesterday I got paid. We get paid once a month, at the end of the month. With the rent of the foyer, and my rent and deposit for this place, money was really tight. But yesterday, I was able to do my first real grocery shop so I could eat more than yogurt and bread.. Cynthia and I enjoyed a good dinner with salad and in the evening went to the Irish pub, O'Connells. I talked to the management there about hosting evenings with our students. They said they would extend Monday's Happy Hour (1/2 price pints) until last call for us, which is great. I also inquired as to whether or not they're hiring more bartenders, and they seemed eager to get my CV. I'm thinking on it, though. While I think I'd really enjoy it, I don't know if I want to give up the opportunity to travel on week-ends...

Today was my day off, and I had a to-do list as follows:
1. Plan this week-end
2. Get a bike
3. Laundry
4. Some other stuff that's not exciting

This is how I did:

1. This week-end I will be going to Paris and I got my train tickets. Though the details aren't worked out yet, I think I'll be staying with my dear friend, Viktor. Viktor was a fellow Drama major at Queen's and arrived in Paris on Saturday to go to clown college for a year. It's the best clown school in the world, and I'm very envious! I love clowning.. I don't know what I'll do there yet. I would like to see the main sites but not pay any money to go in or up them. I think I'll spend time just walking around and taking it all in. It will be so nice to see a friend from Canada! It's Viktor's birthday today.

2. I went to meet Bernard in a sketchy alleyway near my place. I found his bikes on a craigslist-type site. Bernard has two bikes that are pretty ghetto, but a good price. About $60, which is the cheapest you can find, really. That's just over the price of a monthly metro pass, and I plan on selling it before I go. Plus, it's good exercise and green. So I'm happy. Anyways, one of the bikes didn't have a seat, and the other one needed the handlebars fixed.. He said he'd do it tonight and we're meeting tomorrow morning at 830am to make the deal. Cynthia will come, too, and we'll get them both if she likes hers and if he pulls through with the parts. One of them is more of a mountain bike, but with wide handle bars and no gears. The other is a road bike. Cobblestones are an issue in this city. I asked my little brother which he thought I should take and he said the road bike. So I'll listen. He rides like a pro. It'll work out well anyways because that one's a man bike and the other is for a woman. And now here's the confession: ..... I'm a .... mmmmuch taller woman than Cynthia and it'll fit me better! I'm glad the bike thing is working out. Though I brought very little, I didn't leave behind my bike lock or the lights that little brother Ian gave me as a going away presie.

3. My laundry is drying as I write. Slowly, though, as it's a cool and grey day.

4. Yes. All done.

This evening, Cynthia and I are making dindins together and then I'm helping new roomie put together his bed. He's brought all sorts of trendy things into the apartment, like square plates and an i-pod player for the bathroom. I don't have an i-pod, but it looks neat. He also brought Andorra, my new friend. And three gerbils. And a half dozen plants. He loves all types of life. His name is Alexandre and he is great.

So hopefully I'll be riding to work tomorrow, navigating my way over the bumpy cobblestones and practicing for the epic journey to Saint-Malo. I've decided to do or see something new (and not lame) every week, and I think the bike will be a big help. I got a map of all of the bike trails in the land, and look forward to scoping them out.

I hope this finds you all well. Much love to you all.

Signing off,
Hincks.