The Facelift Edition

Or Willy Wonka Chapter Five.

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Dear valued subscribers,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your comments thus far. Though I may not respond to all of them, be sure that they are all read and loved, and as cherished as a good karaoke song. I check blog comments before I check facebook, which says a lot. So thank-you.

Some of you are holding back from commenting more. An example of this genre is my mother ('ham' noted!). Others are enjoying the blog, but can't figure out how to post a comment. Example: Ms. M. M. Deeks. Still others are sticking to their image of aloofness and will likely never comment. Example: a certain bio dash kem ist. (Everyone wins triple points the day this reader comments...)

Speaking of points, I hope you're all keeping track. The winner will recieve a package of Chee-tos upon my return. And we all know who likes to eat Chee-tos.

With full respect,
The Hinckster

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When I returned to the slum motel, I saw the woman who had checked me in the day before. Her name is Maud and she's very nice. She told me that there was a bigger room with a freshly painted ceiling on another floor, and asked me if I wanted to move. I did. I'm now on a different floor. It smells bad still, but the ceilings are white. My neighbour listens to Abba, not French (c)rap. The bathroom is across the hall. It might be slightly bigger. I'm happier. I slept much better last night.

I was curious as to whether or not I'm sharing my room with any critters. I did a test by putting a baguette crumb with cheese on it in three different places in my room before going to bed. This morning, the crumbs and cheese were ALL still there. The three places were: under the sink, under the bed, and in a corner.

The location of this place is ideal. And it's right beside the canal! There are boats on the canal. My plan is to befriend a boater and go for a ride down the canal. Very nearby is where the canal meets the river. I don't know their names yet, but they are both nice. The river has ducks on it.

I don't know if all of you know this, but I took two correspondance courses during my undergrad. One was a course about writing. The other was interior decorating. I put the latter to use this morning and put my trendy scarves over this small wall thing that separates the bed from the sink. It looks good. I'ma buy some tape and stick up some photos. I also might buy a new blanket, or at least a coloured sheet, to put on my bed. Home sweet home.

Speaking of sweet, Nutella is cheap here. I bought some.

Speaking of some, I have learned how to tell the genre of a person based on their dog. The homeless peeps that hang out in the main square and all have dreadlocks have dogs that look like Castro. The rest of the people who have dogs have those stupid, fluffy white ones. I generally befriend people who have dogs that look like Castro, but that won't really happen here....

Another thing I wanted to say is that pizza places deliver on motorcycles, with the pizza in a big box on the back. My favourite sighting so far was for a place called Speedy Rabbit Pizza. Speeeedyyy!!!!

I was supposed to have dinner at L'Arche Rennes yesterday but they didn't get back to me. I really want to volunteer at L'Arche Rennes so I think I'll be persistant. I'm thinking about swinging by maybe tomorrow.. If they'll have me, I'll go there at least once a week. I like L'Arche, and it's a good way to meet nice people.

This morning I went back to the university to get some papers. I'll open a bank account this afternoon, when they re-open. Everyone takes two hours for lunch and during that time, everything is closed. Before I can get the rest of my work visa, I have to pass three examinations: medical, dental, and one called competence... I don't know what will happen at that one, but I'm very competent at cleaning bathrooms, doing headstands and inventing activities. Those are some of my best things.

I'm thinking about going to St Malo early next week. It's a coastal town (the closest to here) and it's supposed to be really nice. It's about 30 minutes by train, they say, and not expensive. It would be a fun outing. If it's nice, I'll take Doc there when he comes.

I still don't have a phone, and I'm not sure if I'll get one. I kind of want to wait to see if I move out in October. I'll never make international calls on a cellie as it costs too much. Ideally, I'll get a landline. But I need to see what accomodation is first. So I'll keep you posted on that. If you want me to call YOU, let me know when's best (sometime before 4pm or so) and I will.

Sidenote: All landlines that I've heard so far (in offices, slum motels, etc.) have silly rings. I like that. Canada should change their normal landline rings to silly rings. I think it would be a good change.

I DO have an address, though, if anyone wants to write. Roomie already says she wants to be old fashion penpals! Any other takers??

I'm at:
8, avenue de Gros Malhon
chambre 410
35000 Rennes
France

Love to you all,
Hincks.