Chapter 109: Horsey Camp

nerd blog post #115

What a week, what a week! This has been a week full of much news, many surprises, ups and downs and many rounds. I have been thinking of this nerd blog post for a few days, and new things keep happening and I don't know how I'll cover everything........

I guess my fave thing first, The Great Canadian Pub. It continues to go well. For the most part, I love the customers and the staff. I had a very special guest come in last week - Sarah McArthur's mom! McArth and I worked together at the P&CC and lived together last Summer. Her mom makes the best chocolate chip cookies in the world (you too, Liass!) and she brought some to the bar. It was lovely to see her. 60 points.

I have started to befriend a couple of the girls there. One of them is the owners gf, who turned out differently than I expected and I really like her. I'm hoping these new friends will want to hang out a lot. Gel is still my friend, too.

We had a crazy night at the bar the other night. These big guys came in, from all over the world. American, French, Austrian... They were ordering drinks and tipping like it was the last night on earth. They're not allowed to take their drinks outside after a certain hour, so I had to go out and police that at one point. But then, they pulled out their badges! They were the police! It was the FBIs of the world. Very funny and strange. They had guns and I got to hold one. Probably not allowed. Raffi and a clown friend were there, too. We all made friends and stayed open very late. One of the French FBI gave me his card and said that if I run into any problems at all in Paris, to call him. I feel very safe now.

And so, every night at the bar is different and usually very fun.

Next. The other night my key exploded. It exploded into 4 parts and the man at the store said it was unfixable. I am now sharing a key with Adrix and I'm not sure what will happen. I was locked out of here for a long time. It was bad.

Next. So before Raffi came to Paris, he was acting for the American Shakespeare Company which is based in Virginia but tours the country. One of his directors is the text director for the Globe Theatre in London. Every Summer, they hold a month long fellowship where they invite 10 actors from around the world to train at the Globe and then perform to an invitation only audience. One of the actors that had been invited dropped out, so about a week ago, this director suggested Raffi take the place, and he was contacted by the Globe for this opportunity. Obviously, this is a big deal and he leapt at the chance. And so, he is leaving on August 9th to London. I'm very excited for him as this is an incredible opportunity and could prove extremely beneficial to his career. I have been helping him move out of his place (he'll stay at my apt until he goes) and change his flight to LA etc. Very exciting and a big surprise!

And my plans? Well.... I have decided to leave France on September 1st. It will make a full year, to the day, of living here. I will miss France, but there are other opportunities to seize, and I won't have any real purpose here, besides being an increasingly better waitress! I'll go to London on the 1st and spend 2 weeks in England. I'll visit Raffi and see him off to LA, I'll see Doctor (if he is, in fact, going to be there) and I'll see the Hincks family in Birminghamandcheese. Then, on the 15th, I fly to Lisbon. I'm volunteering on a farm for a month. This is through an organization called WWOOF which trades labour for room and board on organic farms. The particular farm I'm going to happens to be a horsey farm that has a riding school. They have no electricity, grow all of their own food, are vegetarians, and obv love horsies. I might get to live in a caravan - I hope so. I'm really excited for horsey camp! I hope to learn some Portuguese and how to jump over well-manicured hedges on a giant stallion.

Doctor arrives tonight for a 4 night visit! I am very looking forward to having him here. My prescription needs filling, and he's the Doc to go to, no doubt.

Hope this finds everyone well!

Much love,
Hincks.