I read a funny little ditty from funnyman Larry David. He wrote, here, about his anxiety for the upcoming election. I found it right funny, but since have pinpointed the reason for my anxiety for the fifth of November to come and go.
My anxiety rests in the fact that I will not be able to watch the returns as I have in the past. Four years ago I stayed up late and cried myself to sleep. Eight years ago I fell asleep with exhaustion and had nice dreams of a positive outcome. It later became a nightmare.
Both times I watched the election returns with anxiety, excitement and hope, but I was able to switch from channel to channel in hopes that one network was lying to me... they weren't.
So my anxiety? Yeah, well there's a problem. If I manage to actually wake myself up at four in the morning to watch the info roll in, I'm not certain I will be able to see the coverage that I so longingly want! I will not have computer access to follow the returns until 7:00 a.m. and I am not sure there is a French television station that will devote everything to the U.S. elections (there is, in fact other news over here). I have no television in my own "apartment" anyway and would have to go to the other assistants kitchen and watch quietly. How will I be able to watch quietly?
So there's the problem.
I voted. That's it. I cannot easily phone bank from over here. I would love to! "Hi, I'm calling from France to urge you to vote!" That would be great, but it's not gonna happen. Now all I can do is wait and hope that some television station picks up my vibes and I can watch, albeit quietly and probably with no remote control, as the polls come in.
- Patrick
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
We Voted!
Yeah, that is right. Patrick and I voted today. We stood in line at La Poste, which took forever. The experience of standing in long lines to mail something is universal. So our ballots are on their way, sent via regestered mail to elect Obama as our next president of the United States of America. Heck yes, go us!
Yesterday as Patrick and I were walking to the store we were standing at a street corner waiting for the light to change. Across from us stood a man with his child, he had an Obama shirt on. I can safely say that every French person I have met is hoping, just like Patrick and I, that Obama is our next president. It is not really a surprise to me but to see someone with an Obama shirt shows just how strong the feeling is for people here too. I want to thank all of you who have sent us information, videos, and articles on the election information. It has been great to stay involved and informed even though we are miles away.
I would like to shout out to Joe Plumber, Jane Teacher, Keith Obama-teamster, Colin Powell and everyone else who is hoping, working, praying, and talking about Obama as our next president. We are with you and will be up early on November 5th watching the polls come in. So, if you are up 10 pm MST on the 4th know that we are up with you, watching and waiting.
Yes we can!
Molly
PS: For all of those who read this that are for the other political ticket, I will only truly celebrate once it is official. However, if you decide to change your mind and vote for Obama you still can. You can do it privitely in the voting booth and know one has to know but you. It is ok, you won't go to hell, I promise.
Yesterday as Patrick and I were walking to the store we were standing at a street corner waiting for the light to change. Across from us stood a man with his child, he had an Obama shirt on. I can safely say that every French person I have met is hoping, just like Patrick and I, that Obama is our next president. It is not really a surprise to me but to see someone with an Obama shirt shows just how strong the feeling is for people here too. I want to thank all of you who have sent us information, videos, and articles on the election information. It has been great to stay involved and informed even though we are miles away.
I would like to shout out to Joe Plumber, Jane Teacher, Keith Obama-teamster, Colin Powell and everyone else who is hoping, working, praying, and talking about Obama as our next president. We are with you and will be up early on November 5th watching the polls come in. So, if you are up 10 pm MST on the 4th know that we are up with you, watching and waiting.
Yes we can!
Molly
PS: For all of those who read this that are for the other political ticket, I will only truly celebrate once it is official. However, if you decide to change your mind and vote for Obama you still can. You can do it privitely in the voting booth and know one has to know but you. It is ok, you won't go to hell, I promise.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Going to Die
We went to Die over the weekend! That is, the town Die (pronounced "dee").
I tried to keep from making that joke when we were there, because that would be such a cliché. I was kind of hoping that we would have a close call so that I could have titled this entry "We went to Die and almost died", but that too just seemed like the wrong kind of joke to make should one of us get hurt or in fact be viciously ripped apart by a terretorial wild boar when hiking through the Vercors mountains.
Die is a small town so we saw what there was early and then made our way to a winery where we sampled the local wine, Clarette, took the tour and then sampled some more wine. We ate dinner in our hotel room with a bottle of wine then went out for a walk and another drink. Die is a really small town, so the walk was cut short and Molly and I found the most lively pub in town. This bar also happened to be the biker bar in town and everyone was very interested in the soccer game on TV. If France did not beat Romania, they would not qualify for the World Cup in South Africa. France tied Romania 2-2.
I find it surprisingthat the first person Molly and I talk to just about anywhere we go, we meet the guy who knows the answer. This night we met the owner of the pub, a great guy who is married to an English woman and wanted to speak English with us. He also was tickled that such a pretty lady as Molly was interested in what he had to say and so sat with us to watch the game and have a beer. He then bought us beer and invited us to play baby-foot (foosball) with his waiter who is a huge fan of the band Motorhead and was there drinking on his night off. This man knew everyone in his bar and when 2 Belgians walked in he introduced us to them... now we have a better plan for our trip to Brussels.
As the night went on this great man told us about the rugby team he coaches, how he hates the cops ("Cops are pigs and pigs are cops," Molly told the man evoking the motto of Teresa McKellar), and how he had to through a drunk out of his bar one night and "give him a punch!" By the end of the night Molly and I were pleased that we were still standing straight and near our hotel.
Upon waking I was pleased that I felt great, but disappointed that the bathtub was just that and nothing more. I prefere showers.
Molly and I went on a 10k hike in the morning and took lots of photos. We encountered an old hunter looking for sanglier (wild boar, who knew there were still wild boar in France!) and later heard odd animal noises echo in the canyon. We only ran into two other people on the trail, no sangliers thank goodness, and spent most of the day in the quiet of nature of autumn.
We had a really relaxing time and for the first time really felt like we were in France! There is something about traveling that makes you more aware of your soundings. Die is a typical French town, we went to market, we stayed in the old part of town, we watched an international soccer game with people who were actually interested in the game and we met new people with whom we enjoyed speaking.
There is a small downside to this trip, however. We may have caught the travel bug! I have a school vacation in a couple of weeks and Valence is Windy. Sounds like a great excuse to leave for a few days!
Photos of Die will come soon!
- Patrick
I tried to keep from making that joke when we were there, because that would be such a cliché. I was kind of hoping that we would have a close call so that I could have titled this entry "We went to Die and almost died", but that too just seemed like the wrong kind of joke to make should one of us get hurt or in fact be viciously ripped apart by a terretorial wild boar when hiking through the Vercors mountains.
Die is a small town so we saw what there was early and then made our way to a winery where we sampled the local wine, Clarette, took the tour and then sampled some more wine. We ate dinner in our hotel room with a bottle of wine then went out for a walk and another drink. Die is a really small town, so the walk was cut short and Molly and I found the most lively pub in town. This bar also happened to be the biker bar in town and everyone was very interested in the soccer game on TV. If France did not beat Romania, they would not qualify for the World Cup in South Africa. France tied Romania 2-2.
I find it surprisingthat the first person Molly and I talk to just about anywhere we go, we meet the guy who knows the answer. This night we met the owner of the pub, a great guy who is married to an English woman and wanted to speak English with us. He also was tickled that such a pretty lady as Molly was interested in what he had to say and so sat with us to watch the game and have a beer. He then bought us beer and invited us to play baby-foot (foosball) with his waiter who is a huge fan of the band Motorhead and was there drinking on his night off. This man knew everyone in his bar and when 2 Belgians walked in he introduced us to them... now we have a better plan for our trip to Brussels.
As the night went on this great man told us about the rugby team he coaches, how he hates the cops ("Cops are pigs and pigs are cops," Molly told the man evoking the motto of Teresa McKellar), and how he had to through a drunk out of his bar one night and "give him a punch!" By the end of the night Molly and I were pleased that we were still standing straight and near our hotel.
Upon waking I was pleased that I felt great, but disappointed that the bathtub was just that and nothing more. I prefere showers.
Molly and I went on a 10k hike in the morning and took lots of photos. We encountered an old hunter looking for sanglier (wild boar, who knew there were still wild boar in France!) and later heard odd animal noises echo in the canyon. We only ran into two other people on the trail, no sangliers thank goodness, and spent most of the day in the quiet of nature of autumn.
We had a really relaxing time and for the first time really felt like we were in France! There is something about traveling that makes you more aware of your soundings. Die is a typical French town, we went to market, we stayed in the old part of town, we watched an international soccer game with people who were actually interested in the game and we met new people with whom we enjoyed speaking.
There is a small downside to this trip, however. We may have caught the travel bug! I have a school vacation in a couple of weeks and Valence is Windy. Sounds like a great excuse to leave for a few days!
Photos of Die will come soon!
- Patrick
Photos
I get the feeling people think we're just hanging out in Colorado not calling anyone. But we're here. Here are the photos that people have asked for us to share, but be warned...
The computers we are using do not have the latest flash player installed. This makes it really hard to edit any photos at all through the photobucket account. We have uploaded almost 200 images, but some of 'em are sideways and none of 'em have been seperated into their proper "albums." But whatever. If you want you can look at what there is. There are a sh!tload of pictures. We haven't even taken the time to delete those that are out of focus, uninteresting or poorly framed. And nevermind the photos where our eyes are closed! There are many duplicate shots in hopes that at least one came out, and maybe none of 'em did. It will get cleaned up soon... soon enough anyway.
So here's the link, I guess.
The computers we are using do not have the latest flash player installed. This makes it really hard to edit any photos at all through the photobucket account. We have uploaded almost 200 images, but some of 'em are sideways and none of 'em have been seperated into their proper "albums." But whatever. If you want you can look at what there is. There are a sh!tload of pictures. We haven't even taken the time to delete those that are out of focus, uninteresting or poorly framed. And nevermind the photos where our eyes are closed! There are many duplicate shots in hopes that at least one came out, and maybe none of 'em did. It will get cleaned up soon... soon enough anyway.
So here's the link, I guess.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Can I get a cure?
Cultural Shock was one thing I was not planning on attaining when I moved to France. I assumed that I would handle the transition as I handle all my past transitions in life. A quick cry then I analyze what to do to feel better and then I am fine. Alas, that assumption made an ass out of me but no one else. It is like a god damn cold virus that the doctor tells you, "There is nothing I can do for you. You just have to drink plenty of water and get rest, it will pass." When ever I get that type of reply I always think, "Thanks doc, I just paid you how much to tell me something I already know? Good for you! Did they teach you that it med school or did you learn that all on your own?"
This is my current state: stuck in cultural shock purgatory. It doesn't help that I am consumed with my graduate school applications. Until my applications are finished I don't think I will truly feel comfortable in France. This is not to say that I am not enjoying myself. I was very torn to write about this difficulty of mine. I don't want people to worry or tell me something I already know. It is hard for me to admit that I am having a hard time with something I feel I should not be concerned with. So here is to the first step, I admit I have a problem. This is not to say I am not having fun or regretting my decision to move to France. I am so glad I did this but for reasons that have nothing to do with "finding myself," more challenging myself to take risks. I can't stand it when people say they find themselves when they move. You find yourself by living life where you are and being honest with yourself about what you desire most in life. Any thoughts from those who read this blog of ours?
I said in my last post that I would talk about things to do when you move to a new country. My main advice is to pack those extra things that make you feel like you are at home. Whether it is a blanket or your favorite poster, bring it with you. Also, pay for the extra baggage fee for your basic cooking/living items. Just do it, that is all I have to say about that topic.
I will keep you all posted with my application process. As of late I am realizing that in Europe they use different sized paper than in the States. Thus UCLA's 8 by 11 paper requirement for all submitted items has become quite the pain-in-my-ass!
Ta ta for now, and remember kind reader that life's obligations do not stop because you moved to France!
Molly
This is my current state: stuck in cultural shock purgatory. It doesn't help that I am consumed with my graduate school applications. Until my applications are finished I don't think I will truly feel comfortable in France. This is not to say that I am not enjoying myself. I was very torn to write about this difficulty of mine. I don't want people to worry or tell me something I already know. It is hard for me to admit that I am having a hard time with something I feel I should not be concerned with. So here is to the first step, I admit I have a problem. This is not to say I am not having fun or regretting my decision to move to France. I am so glad I did this but for reasons that have nothing to do with "finding myself," more challenging myself to take risks. I can't stand it when people say they find themselves when they move. You find yourself by living life where you are and being honest with yourself about what you desire most in life. Any thoughts from those who read this blog of ours?
I said in my last post that I would talk about things to do when you move to a new country. My main advice is to pack those extra things that make you feel like you are at home. Whether it is a blanket or your favorite poster, bring it with you. Also, pay for the extra baggage fee for your basic cooking/living items. Just do it, that is all I have to say about that topic.
I will keep you all posted with my application process. As of late I am realizing that in Europe they use different sized paper than in the States. Thus UCLA's 8 by 11 paper requirement for all submitted items has become quite the pain-in-my-ass!
Ta ta for now, and remember kind reader that life's obligations do not stop because you moved to France!
Molly
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