Chapter 43: A Day of International Importance

nerd blog post #48

It's finally November 4th. The world has been waiting.. Millions are lining up, anxiously holding their breath.. Yes, it's finally that day -- the most important day of the year. Bronwyn Margaret Sorbie's 24th birthday. Bronco unwillingly shares this birthday with Matthew McConaughey, Laura Bush and Najee. She denies the US elections, as they are pushing her big day to page 2 of major newspapers. 134 points to you today, my dear friend. Happy Birthday. (And 136 to Wray, who celebrated his but two days ago!)

Back in Rennes, things are going well. I'm happy to have unpacked, done some laundry, and returned to a less frantic routine. I had the day off today, and after having slept an average of about two hours a night for the past 5 nights, I didn't feel guilty sleeping until noon.. I then cleaned and vacuumed my room (shout-out Raffi the Dad) and did some correspondence catch-up. I also talked to Bronco, of course, who did not go to work today. It's a national holiday, after all.

I ventured out mid-afternoon to visit Hossoen. He made me some food and we sat and chatted. Then it got busy, so I helped him out. Thanks to my five years of working at the snack bar at Ted Reeve hockey arena, I am a master at knowing when the fries are ready. Thanks to my three years at the P&CC, I am a champion at the till. And thanks to the infamous Hincks house chore chart, I can sweep like a pro. Yes, I have had many jobs. I didn't know they would all combine to come in handy as helper #1 at Hossoen's kebab stand in Rennes, France.

Every time I visit him, he says he'd like for me to visit his family's home. I would like to very much, but he works from 11am-1am, seven days a week. But today, he told me that he got some extra help and so I'm going over there tomorrow afternoon. I'll meet his wife and find out about the teaching position at the private university she works at. Hopefully something can be arranged.

After that, I went and had a coffee. It was a sunny day, and I was happy to sit outside and enjoy. Cynthia swung by and we went and did a big grocery shop. I had finished all of my food before the vacation, so I stocked up. I had a big salad for dindins. Cynthia baked a cake from the recipe book RtC gave her for her b-day. We put 24 candles in it and sang happy birthday to Bronco. We wondered how many millions of French peeps were doing the same.. What a special day.

After dinner, I went with her and Merrill to the Franco-American Institute. There was a special election night there, where American ambassadors were talking about - what else - Bronco's birthday. I didn't stay too long, but was amazed by the turn-out. About two hundred people cramped into the small auditorium. Half of them were standing. All over the walls were posters supporting Obama. I was surprised that the Institute would have a bias, as they are there for all Americans living in Rennes.. It seemed as though the crowd was about 25% American. The rest were French people who are just interested in the election. It is striking to be this far away, and yet so close.. The whole world really is waiting. Here in France, people are rooting for Obama. It was the same in Italy. In historical Venice, there are no advertisements.. It seems untouched. But as I walked through the tiny streets, I saw many of these in store windows and plastered to walls:



Anyways... Now I'm home again and still tired.. I'll head to bed early and tomorrow I'll be all rested up. I didn't post pictures today, but will tomorrow.

Hope you're all well. Much love.

Hincks.