Chapter 75: The Newsies

nerd blog post #81

This nerd blog post will be in the form of a list, as I have bews that is compartmentalized. The title is a shout-out to Bronco's fave movie, tied with Stepmom. Sigh.. And ahem.

1. The Weath
Europe is experiencing the Winteriest Winter in over a decade. London got a ton of snow, Italy and Spain are receiving a lot of snow, and don't even get me started on Norway (I don't know what's going on up there, but I imagine it's frigid). My dear neighbour, Paris, is getting a lot of snow and is very cold. Peeps have asked how Rennes is. Well, Rennes is protected by the Brittany bubble. Everything about Rennes seems to be distinctly rennais. As a local would say, "Je ne suis pas francais. Je suis rennais." And the weather seems to follow suit. There is black ice some mornings, and yesterday I saw frost. This rarity has caused some of my students to not be able to attend class. (I don't get it.) But after 9am, the sun is up and hidden by clouds. It's grey and cool and rainy. But no snow. And no real cold.

2. The Strike
What's going on in France has made international news, so you can check it out for yourselves. But basically, there is a nation-wide strike that, in the past week, has effected transportation (planes, trains and TTCs) as well as schools and various other thangs. On Monday, 45% of classes did not go on because of the strike. The largest public university in the country, which is in Paris, has been shut down since Monday. Many others are closed down, too. Rennes, which is one of the biggest universities in France, and famous for striking, is still running. Everyone is technically on strike, but classes continue as usual. Attendance is a little low, but otherwise, I don't really notice too much. There are huge signs everywhere and every day there is a big rally at the school at which no decisions are made. Tables are ready at the doors to the entrances to create a blockade if that decision is made. But the general sentiment seems to be that a blockade is useless. If they decide not to blockade the school, it would be the first year in many that they don't. Because it means studying into the Summer, I think students and staff are realizing that perhaps it's better to be on strike without really being on strike... And so, my work continues.

3. The Blender
Cynthia, who is not aware of my blender crisis, asked me today if I want to split the cost of a blender so she can make salsa. I'm thinking about saying yes. Thank-you for the support in the comments from last nerd blog post. I do want to point out, though, that those women in support of blender buying are both happily married, while I am still trying to win the hearts of young bachelors with my aloof 'tude. This reminds me of what happens when I travel. For some reason, I get dreadlocks. For real. Underneath my hair, dreads start to form and then I have to cut them out. It's horrible. Doctor suggested I get a brush. I refused. His reply? "I know you like telling people you don't use a hairbrush.. But I think it would solve this dreadlocks problem." Checkmate. I do like telling people I don't own a brush! I like it so much that I decided the best solution was to chop off my hair. So I did. But I still think I'ma buy the blender.

4. The Points
I would like to award FIFTY point to my father today, on this, the anniversary of his birth. I won't say how old he is, but I will say that the answer to the riddle is embedded in this paragraph...... I wish I was home to help celebrate. Happy Birthday, RtD.

5. The Benito
Is here! It's great. Having Benito around is like having one of the boyz from home around. I love it. He came to Tuesday Tradition and it livened up the party. I wish he could stay forever. It is different now that he is dating Cynthia, though. I find that when friends date, the once mutual friend loses that title and becomes the partner of the better friend of the two. And so, Benito kind of ceases to be our friend and becomes Cynthia's bf, and she remains the same. I lose out a bit. But they're very happy and so am I.

6. The Extracurricular
I've wanted to join some extra things. Some has worked out and some has not. Here they are:
-I tried to find this Amnesty International event this week-end, but no luck. Perhaps the strike made them change venues.
-I joined the queer group on campus. They're having an event tomorrow night that I'll drop by. It's a kind of games night with speed dating, game show games, food and drink.
-I received a disappointingly cold e-mail back from L'Arche Paris. I asked to meet with her to discuss the Spring and Summer and she didn't offer to meet with me. With this one, I'll be extremely persistent. I really want to volunteer there and I'll do a good job. I love L'Arche. I won't give up without a fight!
-I have a babysitting job! Three cheers for pre-teen employment at 23.
-The theatre group is going really well. The members are getting quite serious and even meeting up during the week. We have selected scenes to do for an audience at the end of term and tonight I found a good way to link them all together. I realize, though, that I miss acting. A lot. I want to rip the scenes from their hands and show them how.. It sounds horrible, but it's true. It is neat to see young and unexperienced actors try things out. They have honesty and good instincts and are willing to share the space. It's very cool. I could go on about this for awhile, but that's enough.
-I'm being paid to teach this class (so it's not quite extracurricular), but one thing that I think is neat is that I'm going to put the work of the creative writing class online. They're excited to be "published" and the idea has made them turn out stronger work. My bosses are pumped about the idea so I'm glad to have the go ahead.

7. The Plans
I have many things to look forward to. My break starts on the 12th of February, on which day I will skip off to Paris and return on the 23rd. The first week-end, Raffi and I are going to Brussels. This will be my first time to Belgium (except for training through) and I'm looking forward to it a lot! Raffi works most week-ends, so this is a nice vacay for him, too. On Sunday, I'll put him on a bus back to Paris, and I'll carry on to Amsterdam. I am looking forward sooooo much to seeing Doc and eating stroopwafels! I head back to Paris the evening of the 18th and will hang there until it's time to go back to work. I also have a pile of visitors in the next few months. Three cheers for Loanne and Chincks (the parental unit) who will come mid-March for 10 days. Where in the world is Carmen Sandy-Paabor? Paabor is on a European tour soon and will arrive on my doorstep sometime in the next couple of .. months? I really don't know. Move over for Michael Murphy! He is confirmed to arrive May 2nd. Bring it on, Bronco. This obnoxious beauty will take the continent by storm May 10th. Leave it to Lia to join in the festivities in May as well! Jumping Jupiter, it's Jess! Arriving in July (because it's the first letter of her first name), Jess will be around for close to two months. Anyone else? Get over here! It's a party.


Phew! This was a long one! It's bedtime in France. Goodnight, one and all.

Much love,
Hincks.