Sunday, October 26, 2008

Friday, October 24, 2008

Shaken, Not Stirred

Imagine this scenario :

You’re taking your time in the bathroom this morning because you were out too late with your friends last night, when suddenly you realize that that super important meeting with all the company directors starts at 8:30 and not 9:00. Suddenly the morning pace picks up a bit – or a lot… You scramble for clothes hoping no one notices that you are wearing grey socks with a brown outfit because you didn’t realize last night that “jetton” referred to a washing machine token and not normal Euro coins. Knot your Christian Dior tie around your neck and you’re out the door. You’re not exactly sure of the local traffic laws but you push what you think are the limits in your 65 horsepower roller skate-sized car as you drive to work, fighting traffic the whole way. You can’t find where the meeting room is and by the time you do, you are 7 minutes late with all the department heads waiting for you and your boss who doesn’t show up till 9:00 because he forgot as well. Now the real test comes. The meeting that you are sitting in, trying to fake professionalism as best you can, lasts not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 hours - with no breaks. That life-giving café you drink all day – everyday - is unavailable. Oh, and the best part…4 hours without a peep of English.

The name is Skyrm. James Skyrm. Welcome to October 24th…

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Recently Seen on the Compiègne Marlins Baseball Homepage




Fin de saison 2008
Pour conclure la saison outdoor 2008, les Marlins 2 ont reçu les Webs de Noisy-le-Grand ce samedi 18 octobre.Ils s'imposent 11-7 en 7 manches. Du côté des lanceurs compiègnois, on a pu voir A. Couillet (3manches), R. Plusch (2 manches) et S. Ferry (2 manches).Les Webs avaient pris l'avantage mais pour peu de temps. Les Compiègnois marquent rapidement 3 points pour reprendre la tête et ne plus la lâcher.On a pu voir aussi les débuts de T. Mega, qui fait son 1er RBI, et J. Guiar.L'équipe était renforcé par J. Skrym, un américain récemment installé à Compiègne.Une coupe a été remise à l'équipe de Compiègne par les Webs. Ce trophée sera remis en jeu à chaque rencontre des 2 équipes.Merci aussi à JF. Labouze pour avoir arbitré cette rencontre.


Translation:
End of 2008 Season
To conclude the 2008 outdoor season, the Marlins 2 hosted the Webs of Noisy-le-Grand on Saturday 18 October. The score was 11-7 through 7 innings as Compiégne's pitchers were able to seal the deal. Couillet (pitched 3 innings ), R. Plüsch (2 innings) and S. Ferry (2 innings). The Webs had the advantage, but only for a short time. Compiégne quickly put up 3 points to take the lead and never looked back. The game also saw the beginnings of T. Mega, who made his 1st RBI, and J. Guiar. The team was strengthened by J. Skrym, an American who recently moved to Compiègne. A cup was awarded to Compiegne by the Webs. This trophy will be held by the Marlins untill the next match between these two teams when its ownership will again be decided . Also thank you to JF. Labouze who organized this meeting.
*Note: I didn't make it into the picture. It is from earlier in the year

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Lack of Pixels

My camera seems to have died. Thus why you haven't seen any pictures of me recently. With these prices over here, it may be a bit till I buckle down and purchase one again. In case you were wondering...

Compiègne Sporting News


On the sporting side of things. I had my first match with the Compiègne Marlins baseball team on Saturday. This was with their B team and I was pretty impressed at how they so quickly they made accomidations for me. After arriving and talking briefly with the players they moved their regular shortstop around so that I could play. A little embarrased at first, I soon found out why. I would say that the skill level of the team we played against was comparable to a pretty bad JV high school team. We are a bit better. But as you can probably imagine, it didn't take too much to really shine. The look on peoples faces when I would make a play, mostly routine in my opinion, was of awe. I don't want to give myself too much credit, but it was fun. We even won a trophy for our efforts. I still haven't quite made the throwing adjustment from slowpitch softball back to baseball after being away for two years. They probably weren't too impressed with my arm accuracy - I know I wasn't. But from what I hear it sounds like the jump up to the next level (team A) is a huge one. I'm not sure I can quite play at that level. Let's just say that the infield is primarily made up of Cubans refugees. I used to dream of being as smooth as a Latino middle infielder. I think there's something in the water down there in Venezuela, Dominican Republic, and Cuba. Maybe that's why we were forbidden to drink it when I played in the DR! I smell conspiracy...


I also went to watch my newfound Rugby friends play today. What a fun time! The fans get way into the games similar to how they support football (soccer just sounds funny now) with the cheering and taunting. I'm begining to understand it a bit more which makes the games much more interesting too. It made me smile today too, every time the scrum made its way to the near side of the field toward the bleachers. Suddenly, the smell of sportscream and bengay would waft over the stands. Those guys are crazy! It sometimes looks like a serious match of Smear the Queer (what we used to call it but now probably politically incorrect) with huge guys in short shorts.


I also found out that there are a number English speaking people in the area. They primarily congretgate at such events. So I hunted down the English cheers from the stands and made some more friends - mainly Welsh this time. The Anglophones are almost always so excited to find each other that you have instant friends when you do. In doing so I found out that there is supposably a large American contingent in a town nearby. I'll have to check it out.


Salut mes amis!

Cultural Integration


I'm sorry to say that I finally said it. Without thinking, I uttered the 4 words my friends in the US were hoping I would never say. While around town I suddenly had a chill and stated, "I need a scarf!" I know, I know...I can currently hear the groans coming from State College, Oak Creek, and Erie. Gillespie, I think you want one too. Haha...no man purse (murse) as of yet. I haven't sunk to that level - but I don't make any promises.


In other news, I set my alarm incorrectly again for church. So I walked into church like 45 minutes late. But like many things French, they started about 15 mintues late. It just takes awhile for everyone to get their handshakes and kisses in before things get rolling. And once again, I continue to chuckle at the cultural differences. The church I go to is associated with the Baptist demomination. Although the concept of a denomination doesn't really hold much weight here. You're just Protestant - which I think is pretty cool. But either way, by name, our church is a Baptist one. And proving that there are some similarites the world over, we had a potluck after the service (I think they were given the gift of food fellowship...haha). But what made me chuckle, was that at the potluck, the churchgoers had their choice of alcholic cider, wine, or coca cola. I can't remember those options at First Baptist. Church was a good time. I met some people my age. Hopefully I can get plugged in a bit more.


I determined that my internet connection is too slow to make any Skype phone calls. I tried for about an hour and a half last night with my family and the upload speeds just aren't there on my end. I ended up typing my responses back to them while I could here them on the phone....I know...weird


Thanks again for all your support! It makes a difference.


Love,

J

Friday, October 17, 2008

The Friendly Bruisers

Well, I didn't have a whole lot to do last night. So instead of watching Gilmore Girls like the night before (I know now...) I decided to check out the the rugby game at the local Irish pub as they have more than the 5 channels I have in my appartment. I could quickly tell one of the guys working there was not from around there. My guess was that he spoke English really well. So I surprised him with an English comment and he gladly struck up a conversation. Ben is an Australian guy that is here playing rugby (and actually making some money doing it), working, and just getting some international experience. His French is not good but he introduced me to a group of guys at another table that were all French and play rugby as well. I must say that the rugby stereotype definately held true in this situation. The guys were great and they quickly introduced me to a bunch of people and showed me a time with the Compiègnoise (locals) and some university students nearby. The problem is, (Unlce Mike, you're going to love this...) they want me to join the rugby club with them! Haha...I don't even know all the rules - only enough to watch a game on TV and impress my other American friends. Should I add that two of the guys that I met last night were on crutches - OF COURSE unrelated to the sport...ahem...wink wink... But anyways, it provided me a good opportunity to get to know some people in the community - especially my age - even though their idea of a good time is a bit different than mine. It can get kinda lonely without friends...
Oh yeah...tommorrow is my first shot with the Compiègne Marlins baseball club. I'm playing in a friendly match with B team. Hopefully, I can shake off two years worth of rust quickly. I'm really looking forward to it!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Compiègne Cribs

So, for those of you who want a little view of life in Franceland...I give to you a French twist of the TV show "Cribs". You're gonna have to forgive the cameraman - a little bit like Blair Witch Project. So hold onto your cookies...

Monday, October 13, 2008

Parlez-vous?



Well, minus a few hiccups here and there...I made the journey across the pond quite successfuly. Food in the fridge, personal belongings thrown around but almost moved in, time change adjustment almost complete - check, check, check...now about this language stuff...I hate not being fluent in French. I mean, I get a majority of most conversations and even shine brilliantly on certain occaisions in speaking...but dangit - is it selfish to want a whole lot more? I'm tired of having to ask people to repeat stuff, or just get stuck in the middle of a phrase and not know where to go.
The worst is waking up in the morning after dreaming and thinking in your own little Amercian-English world...and to go to work only to face the bitter reality that someone just said something to you, and you have no idea what it was..."Smile and nod. Hopefully they'll be satisfied with my response and walk away...I hope it wasn't a question or something important!"
Welcome to my 24/7... more updates and stories to come...

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Everything You Own in the Box to the Left

Just about 4 days from now, i'll be on a plane leaving the US of A. But what really gets me is that I don't know when I'll be coming back again - I'm not sure how I feeel about that.
I'm in Indiana right now and today I received a phone call from the company moving all my stuff to France. They said that they are coming to pick up my items on Tuesday!! What!! I have about 24 hours to put my entire life in boxes - ready to go...Well, there's still a few hours left but there is so much work to be done. I'm extremely exhausted as the stress of moving, changes in family situations, big life decisions, etc. are at the forefront of my mind all day. Somehow, I'm ready for it to start and end, all at the same time...
My camera just decided not to work right now...sorry, no Beyonce