We talkin' bout practice!

What it is, and what it ain't, kids? Well, I can tell you right now that things in this country ain't like the US.
So I haven't worked in two weeks, save today. Oh, and I won't be working for the next 5 days- a schouette combo of my schedule, the weekend, and the Nov. 11 armistice. I like you, France.

Regarding the last 2 weeks, I took a petit voyage to the east/NE of la belle France. I think I mentioned it before, but I visited my friend in Firminy/Lyon, and she and her family were incredibly welcoming and generous. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't so welcoming, with cold and rain and cold rain...but it wasn't a big problem. Other than the weather, I really liked Lyon, although there appear to be more strange people there than in most cities. Example? Okay:

One mysterious man was attempting to sell newspapers right in front of an ATM that I was in line for, but a shake of the head wasn't enough to deter him. He waited for a verbal response, which I gave in the form of "Das tut mir Leid, Ich spriche kein Franzosisch." Unfortunately, the confusion that resulted from this was more uncomfortable than the anger that might have ensued had I thrown down my preferred "Merci bien d'aller vous faire foutre" (don't translate that). He continued to look at me for a minute before leaning in real close to me. Awkward, I tell you. I know the French like to do the bisous, but please, not with strangers in front of the ATM.
Well, as it turned out, he wasn't trying to kiss my cheek, but rather he was leaning in so that he could begin tugging on my ear and saying loudly "FRANCAIS! FRANCAIS!" Oh, okay. Well that makes more sense. When someone doesn't appear able to speak your language (whether they're lying or not), the natural response is to try to separate their ear from their head so that you can loudly let them know what language you speak. Duly noted for future purposes, my friend. Needless to say, I found another ATM.

When I got to Strasbourg, I was warmly welcomed by my friend's friend and her friends. A bit confusing, yes. Regardless, total strangers took me into their homes and treated me far too well. I made a few new friends out of the experience, which was quite nice...I hung out the first night with a cool dude named Steven (coincidentally, a fellow engineer). He and his family were extremely friendly, and his German father and French mother had a beer in my hand no more than 3 minutes after entering. Awesome. I got to hang out later that evening with some of his friends, which was quite entertaining.
The second night I stayed with my friend's friend's cousin and her boyfriend. Kim and Pierre were also really nice, and they took me to a restaurant with an Alsace (the region of France) specialty: Tarte Flambée. Yumm. It's like a really thin crusted pizza, and it was all you can eat- a mistake with Americans present.

Bref, the trip was awesome, and I hope to visit my friend once more before she leaves in January. Added bonus: her little half-brother lets me swing him around in a game we call "Balancoir" (swingset), and his French is somewhat on par with mine. A few photos from the cities:

Lyon: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2555635&l=02894&id=7900792
Strasbourg: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2556201&l=257ea&id=7900792

So now I'm back in Toulouse, whistling with my Madagascan friends and speaking a bizarre mixture of languages. I've been searching more for apartments with my Chilean friend, but I received a call tonight about living with a family who already houses 1 american. I'm going to meet them tomorrow night, and I guess they'll see if they can tolerate me enough to house me for 6 months. Wish me luck.

In other news, I'm looking at going to Barcelona in 2 weeks to reunite with FakeSpain and fake Fakespain (Marta and Jenna), and I'm going this weekend with some teachers from the high school to one of their properties near the Mediterranean. After all, no one needs a vacation more than the person who just had one.

The French have been ecstatic about Barack Obama winning the election (although jokes about "the Black House" are not lacking this side of the sea). Fortunately, it becomes la mode again to like Americans for the next 4 years. I think he'll be a decent change of pace for the country, and I'm quite happy we showed some open mindedness by electing a minority. As for the great change he promises? I still think it's the usual crap that politicians spew to get elected, but we'll give him a chance, as I think he genuinely has high hopes.

Finally, UT lost to Texas Tech. As has been pointed out by several people, this means that Kevin and Scott's Christmas-time visit will be a week of red-and-black propaganda to convince me that theirs is the greatest college football program that has never been more than, simply, good. Different from usual? No. Doesn't bother me anyway...I've given up on the Cowboys, Mavericks, UT, and sports in general. My new love? An oldie: Food.