The Proverbial Twiggy - Beached Whale Comparison

Well, folks...I must admit that I have been doing a poor job keeping you all updated on the happenings here in France. I must say, however, that the last two weeks or so here have been generally unpleasant, stressful and towards the depressing side of the scale. There were a few bright spots here and there, but this is to be expected I supposed as the adrenaline and newness of the situation has worn off. So I guess you can say that I'm in one of the varying stages of culture shock. Its been somewhat magnified recently as as I moved into my new appartment and...the heat doesn't work properly, I have no furnishings, no bed, no table, a couple borrowed pots and pans, OH, and did I mention no internet or phone. The later probably being the most difficult to deal with as I can't communicate with any friends and family. But alas, this time too will pass and there's always hope of a better tomorrow. I often use those rosy little lines and in doing so annoy my pesimistic counterparts, but sometimes the hope of a normal life with new friends and a comfortable home is enough to make the challanges a bit more bearable.

Ok, to some of the more positive happenings around here. I went to a co-worker's house and had an absolutely wonderful French meal. Now when I say French meal I mean the 4-5 course works that is usually no shorter than 4-5 hours. Another great plus was that my French was in rare form that evening - possibly a product of the anxiety reducing grape beverage - but nonetheless it goes to show that the French language is inside me. I just need to relax a bit more at work and on the phone. But it was a wonderful evening starting around 7 and lasting into the early hours of the morning. There was another couple there from Portugal that immigrated here a number of years ago. It was great to be able to talk to them about life in a different part of the world. She also had a practically perfect French accent after a few years here. There is hope that I may eventually sound local.

Also, after many attempted phone calls, I got ahold of the president of the Compiègne cycling club. And in fact, they had the first meeting of the year on Saturday. So I tagged along to check out the racing scene. Unfortunately, I found myself in a typical French meeting. This thing took the good part three hours or more! They brought in the mayor to talk about who knows what, along with other "important" political figures. Its a bike meeting for crying out loud! Show us what the jerseys look like for the season, who won what last year, and how much it costs! It could have taken 45 minutes but like all things French, it didn't.... They also were amazed they had a "true" American in their presence and asked me to stand up and say a few things to the 70 or so people assembled. I tried to duck out of it, but they were having none of that. They also kept saying somethinng about me being in the Lance Armstrong mold...oh no!... I'm sure I'll disappoint the American cycling image, but at least I'm clean...haha. So apparently, training begins in two weeks! I don't even have any of my gear here. It should arrive by boat in the Netherlands on the 5th of December and then take 3-4 weeks to make it to my place. (Insert frustrated sigh here...) But a few people from the club have offered to let me borrow some items until that time. There's some very friendly folks here once you get past that initial barrier.

Oh by the way, my form is terrible right now. Thus the training has begun in earnest. I rode a few hill climbs yesterday in freezing rain and snow. It was probably the most miserable ride of my life - oh and the weather was bad too :) Oh how I hate climbing! I'm not exactly your chicken-legged montain goat. My climbing skills on the bike are more apt to be compared to a the strainings of a beached whale than the two-wheeled grace of a masculine Twiggy reincarnation.

Well, it is time for me to get back to my interpretations of what I think my boss is telling me to do. Until the next...

J

Meet Zac and Wes

Today was a national holiday here in France. The signing of the Armistice for World War I actually took place in Compiègne. So it was kinda cool to have the site of the national holiday take place nearby. But to enjoy my day off, I hung out at the McAuley's house and played baseball with their two boys in the park nearby. I kinda felt like Uncle Mike most of the day when he used to hang out with me when I was younger. Check out the video clip above. In a funny way, Zac is like a miniture version of me: baseball, cycling, guitar, the book "How Things Work", and just like me he has to have all the right sporting equipment...I tell his parents to beware...haha

*Now to the mothers out there: Don't get too concerned about the stick fight. I was keeping things under control despite what may appear in the video...They felt they had to show off bit for the camera and I quickly shut it down...I can hear you saying "yeah right!" sarcastically.

I ended the day by cooking myself a nice meal. I finally got my favorite spices purchased today and now feel like I can get creative with my two stove tops and microwave oven (they have this one called Quatre Epices and has like ginger and cinnimon in it - I don't know if they have it in the US - but its wonderful). But it'll be nice to move into my new appartment (I just signed the lease!) as it has a full kitchen and is mostly equipped already. Unfortunately, I found out that my shippment of personal items will not arrive for about another month and half! What is up with that?!? So the McAuleys are letting me borrow an air mattress and other household items until he rest of my goods arrive. They have been such a great help here. God bless them! If you want to check out their ministry here in Compiègne, check out http://www.mcauleysinfrance.com/ and you can even support them on the website if you feel so led.

Video of my new place on the way!

Cheers

A View from the Handlebars

Bonjour à tous! Well, I had this great idea as I was riding my bike on Sunday afternoon. I thought I should take some video as I was riding to Pierrfonds to see the huge chateau. So I was all excited to post the video on my blog for all of you as the commentary and video went quite well while riding. I forgot, however, to factor in the wind noise. Thus, you can't really hear anything that I am saying. So to preface the video, I am riding on a Sunday afternoon to visit a local fortress castle. The forest is beautiful this time of year and so my bike ride included about 26 miles of paved paths through the Compiègne forest. So, wind noise aside, jump on my bike pegs for a brief ride through the forest in Franceland!

Video 2 is the arrival into Pierrfonds with the chateau. Once again, sorry about the wind noise. I'll see what I can do to arrange for better audio next time. Anyways, Cheers from France!