So a few weeks back I had tickets to the Masters Parisbas Tournament (tennis). I had an extra ticket and went to CL to find someone to go with me. A Canadian responded and she sounded decent so we went. Now this was an all day event and she actually stayed for the entire day. She is petite with really dark curly hair and fairly average looking but with impecable (sp?) skin.
During the tournament we got to know each other and I found out she was extremely high maintenance. Not only that but she was a blatant name dropper of people she knew (Jerry Brockheimer, Jason Statham, Eric Lindros, etc), and kept going on about ALL of her friends in Paris, who of course had money. Needless to say not really my type.
At the end of the day, I thought that would be that even though she suggested we should get together for drinks some night. Three weeks later (last week) she calls me. She suggests we go see a movie and go to a bar, there is a Canadian bar she wanted to try. Now even though she was not my type, she was decent looking and I am a little lonely and desperate at this point in my life (to be blunt about it). So of course I agreed to a movie and drinks Saturday night (last Saturday).
Saturday comes and we decide to see Borat, which was pretty funny. Afterwards we walk to the bar, a nice added touch to walk at night in the streets of Paris, and have a pretty nice conversation along the way, mainly about cartoons as we were growing up. We arrive at the bar and order a beer. The bar itself was pretty crappy, but I was content because I could sneak peeks at the FSU/Florida football game and she could glance at the rugby match. The only odd part was the fact she kept mentioning one "friend" who of course was a guy and the things they did together.
Now maybe it is just me, but when you are out with a guy that you asked to go out with you, do you normally talk about other guys that you hang out with? It was kind of awkward, but I kind of brushed it off. Anyways it is 9PM and we finish our first beer, she gets a text message from another friend who is living with her. Her friend arrived early and has no key to get into the apartment; she has to leave. So the night ends after one beer at 9pm. No kiss, no hug, just the typical French bisou. She suggested a longer night with more drinking next time, apologizing she had to leave early, but I don't know. I will probably wait to see if she calls rather than calling her.
Random notes:
My host has her boyfriend over. He is 60 or so, balding, and very very skinny. My host is 45 and still somewhat attractive. He is a "poet". When he reads his poetry it is like he injected himself with crack. He doesn't know how to open the front door (no joke). When they have sex it is very loud but only lasts 10 minutes. I hope I don't have to hear old sex again tonight.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Table for 1
I am pretty sure that is what I will be asking for my entire life, "table for 1." I am quite possibly the most pathetic man when it comes to women. I am so sick of making a fool out of myself I think I will just give up, bury myself in work, and shower my nephews and niece with gifts.
Every girl that hears my probles says she is going to help me. That is exactly the problem. Instead of thinking of going out with me, they would rather find some other poor sucker to do it. God forbid I have a girl that wants to go out with me, finds me attractive and/or is somewhat normal.
I just give up. I should have been a monk so then I wouldn't have to explain to everyone why I am so pathetic. Every girl says it doesn't make sense why I am alone, well if it fucking doesn't make sense why aren't you asking me out, kissing me, or fucking me, instead of saying it doesn't make sense. 3 years without a kiss is beyond pathetic.
As most of my friends that are girls say, "I am too nice." I have no fucking clue what that means, but I do know this, if that means I have to be less nice or change to find a girl; fuck it. I would rather be nice and completely single, than an ass and with someone.
Sorry for the downer of a post everone.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the States, all the expats, students abroad, or soldiers serving their country.
Every girl that hears my probles says she is going to help me. That is exactly the problem. Instead of thinking of going out with me, they would rather find some other poor sucker to do it. God forbid I have a girl that wants to go out with me, finds me attractive and/or is somewhat normal.
I just give up. I should have been a monk so then I wouldn't have to explain to everyone why I am so pathetic. Every girl says it doesn't make sense why I am alone, well if it fucking doesn't make sense why aren't you asking me out, kissing me, or fucking me, instead of saying it doesn't make sense. 3 years without a kiss is beyond pathetic.
As most of my friends that are girls say, "I am too nice." I have no fucking clue what that means, but I do know this, if that means I have to be less nice or change to find a girl; fuck it. I would rather be nice and completely single, than an ass and with someone.
Sorry for the downer of a post everone.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the States, all the expats, students abroad, or soldiers serving their country.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
It's not even Thursday yet....
First off on a topic unrelated to the following post, the cat I am living with snores. It is not small whimpers like some dogs do but full-blown snores. I really never knew that cats snored, and I am not sure how I feel about it, but it is kind of distracting when I am trying to sleep.
Moving on....
I will give nicknames to girls to make this story easier.
First off there will be Reunion
Reunion--she is from La Reunion, which is a small island inbetween Madagascar and S. Africa, and also a part of France. She is the 22 year old I have been meantioning who is dating the 35 y/o and one who I hang out with a lot. She also speaks English pretty well. Reunion is also very attractive in the tropical kind of way and is very petite.
A: A is from Bretagne, which is where I spent a previous semester studying in France. She is pretty damn hot and extremely quirky. I like girls who are quirky, they do small things that are completely odd for no reason. She has also studied in Quebec and teaches me Quebecois swear words
S: S is another girl in my classes who is from Morocco. She is extremely hot with the whole sexy N. African/ Middle Eastern tan and huge eyes. Think kind of like Jasmine in Aladdin. She has long curly hair and some pretty large breasts. She also has a boyfriend of 5 years, but who lives in Morocco.
Now to the story.....
In class I was finalizing plans of Thanksgiving dinner with Reunion. Reunion, her boyfriend, A, a friend (girl) of A, and S will all be there. I then asked Reunion if she had any news about A and the guy she was kind of "seeing". Here is the conversation that insued (not translated since the conversation was in English):
Reunion: She is going to stop seeing him for a month or more. She wasn't that into him but always needs to be with someone.
Me: Perfect I am here for one more month. I should hook-up with her.
Reunion: It's so cute you have principles. I think you should hook-up with her even if she was still seeing him.
Me: I am not going to do that, I have been on the other end of that. That is why I won't make a move on S.
Reunion: I still think you should fuck her, she is probably lonely since she hasn't seen her boyfriend in awhile.
Me: As much as I would like to I am not sure I could, knowing about her boyfriend.
Reunion: It would make me happy if you fucked her.
Me: (pause, not sure how to follow that up)
Reunion: For that matter you should fuck A too. You should fuck them both that would make me comfortable.
Me: How does me fucking A make you "comfortable"?
Reunion: Well I meant happy, the only way I would be comfortable was if I joined you two.
Me: (At this point I really had no idea what to say and was clearly showing my innocence by even blushing a bit)
Reunion: (unconvincingly saying) Oh I was just joking....hope you don't get an erection in class that would be embarassing.
Later on in class I made a joke to Reunion as someone seemingly said somethinig completely random, so in return I turned to her and said a completely random word. She then turns to me and says, "blowjob."
This was without alcohol in our systems. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring when there will be lots of alcohol consumed, but Reunion has said she is going to try and hook me up with either A or S or both.
Moving on....
I will give nicknames to girls to make this story easier.
First off there will be Reunion
Reunion--she is from La Reunion, which is a small island inbetween Madagascar and S. Africa, and also a part of France. She is the 22 year old I have been meantioning who is dating the 35 y/o and one who I hang out with a lot. She also speaks English pretty well. Reunion is also very attractive in the tropical kind of way and is very petite.
A: A is from Bretagne, which is where I spent a previous semester studying in France. She is pretty damn hot and extremely quirky. I like girls who are quirky, they do small things that are completely odd for no reason. She has also studied in Quebec and teaches me Quebecois swear words
S: S is another girl in my classes who is from Morocco. She is extremely hot with the whole sexy N. African/ Middle Eastern tan and huge eyes. Think kind of like Jasmine in Aladdin. She has long curly hair and some pretty large breasts. She also has a boyfriend of 5 years, but who lives in Morocco.
Now to the story.....
In class I was finalizing plans of Thanksgiving dinner with Reunion. Reunion, her boyfriend, A, a friend (girl) of A, and S will all be there. I then asked Reunion if she had any news about A and the guy she was kind of "seeing". Here is the conversation that insued (not translated since the conversation was in English):
Reunion: She is going to stop seeing him for a month or more. She wasn't that into him but always needs to be with someone.
Me: Perfect I am here for one more month. I should hook-up with her.
Reunion: It's so cute you have principles. I think you should hook-up with her even if she was still seeing him.
Me: I am not going to do that, I have been on the other end of that. That is why I won't make a move on S.
Reunion: I still think you should fuck her, she is probably lonely since she hasn't seen her boyfriend in awhile.
Me: As much as I would like to I am not sure I could, knowing about her boyfriend.
Reunion: It would make me happy if you fucked her.
Me: (pause, not sure how to follow that up)
Reunion: For that matter you should fuck A too. You should fuck them both that would make me comfortable.
Me: How does me fucking A make you "comfortable"?
Reunion: Well I meant happy, the only way I would be comfortable was if I joined you two.
Me: (At this point I really had no idea what to say and was clearly showing my innocence by even blushing a bit)
Reunion: (unconvincingly saying) Oh I was just joking....hope you don't get an erection in class that would be embarassing.
Later on in class I made a joke to Reunion as someone seemingly said somethinig completely random, so in return I turned to her and said a completely random word. She then turns to me and says, "blowjob."
This was without alcohol in our systems. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring when there will be lots of alcohol consumed, but Reunion has said she is going to try and hook me up with either A or S or both.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Random Rants
Today I witnessed a fight at a Metro stop. Two guys were really going at it with fists flying, then one fell to the ground and the other started kicking him. When I thought someone was gonig to intervene he actually aided the fight by holding the guy who was kicking the guy on the ground so that the guy on the ground could get up and continute fighting. There was at least 20 or so people watching and no one doing anything. I had thought about intervening but then two others joined the fight including one with a shovel who was swinging it at the head of another guy. At this time it was 3 on 1. When I left it ended up being 4-2. Ahh the Holiday Season, always filled with joy.
I have been reading a lot of different blogs of people being down/depressed/in a funk. Although I am sure some of this is due to seasonal depression, I would just like to add that I am the King of Funks. It has been 3 years since I kissed someone...before that it was 21 years. (Side note: When I say kiss it is not a euphamism I really mean kiss. This is not meaning make-out either I am including all forms of kissing with the exception of family and the french bisou.) I think you get the hint. And now I hang out with girls who talk nothing but sex with me. I feel like one of the musical/movie/comedy guests on Lovelive that has no idea what the hell he is saying, instead having Dr. Drew correct everything.
Thanksgiving is obviously coming up. The French only import whole turkeys at Christmas, have no idea what stuffing is, and sure has hell have never had pumpkin pie. If anyone wants to send me either pumpkin pie or homemade chex mix feel free. Okay Chex Mix must be homemade with extra garlic salt and with only original ingrediants in it meaning: wheat chex, corn chex, rice chex, pretzels, and cheerios. Sadly I have the entire recipie memorized by heart. I won't go into my full rant about Chex Mix brand Chex Mix in bags but needless to say in the late 1990's they changed their recipie for the worst, I am sure it was to compete with Gardetto's.
And on that useless bit of info I end my post.
I have been reading a lot of different blogs of people being down/depressed/in a funk. Although I am sure some of this is due to seasonal depression, I would just like to add that I am the King of Funks. It has been 3 years since I kissed someone...before that it was 21 years. (Side note: When I say kiss it is not a euphamism I really mean kiss. This is not meaning make-out either I am including all forms of kissing with the exception of family and the french bisou.) I think you get the hint. And now I hang out with girls who talk nothing but sex with me. I feel like one of the musical/movie/comedy guests on Lovelive that has no idea what the hell he is saying, instead having Dr. Drew correct everything.
Thanksgiving is obviously coming up. The French only import whole turkeys at Christmas, have no idea what stuffing is, and sure has hell have never had pumpkin pie. If anyone wants to send me either pumpkin pie or homemade chex mix feel free. Okay Chex Mix must be homemade with extra garlic salt and with only original ingrediants in it meaning: wheat chex, corn chex, rice chex, pretzels, and cheerios. Sadly I have the entire recipie memorized by heart. I won't go into my full rant about Chex Mix brand Chex Mix in bags but needless to say in the late 1990's they changed their recipie for the worst, I am sure it was to compete with Gardetto's.
And on that useless bit of info I end my post.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Apparently I am the walking dead
I finally went back to the law firm today to work again. It has been a week and a half since I have been there. My lawyer was in Prague then South Beach and finally back in Paris.
I am stuck in the library where the other stagieres (interns) are. This is the first time they acknowledged my prescence even though I had been there three other days with them. After doing the basic greetings and exchanging the different approaches on how to become a lawyer, we started talking about what every Parisien talks about Paris and sex. It is incredible. We were working at a prestigious international law firm and an intern who doesn't even have a job there starts openly talking about sex with me.
They wanted to know if I had seen the TV program where a French, strike that, a Parisien journalist poses two questions that only someone from Paris would ask and of which every person in Paris thinks is normal: Is there really any life outside of Paris in France, and can you live without sex?
Apparently this was an entire hour long program where two lawyers debated these topics. So of course the interns asked me what I thought. I of course told them I preferred Bretagne over Paris (really any French countryside, but Bretagne most of all) and I think we all know the answer to the second question. Oh wait any normal person would know the answer to the second question but this is the Furry we are talking about so I will reassure everyone and I told them that of course there wasn't life without sex. So either I am a ghost or just in hell, but with all the conversations about sex I have had with women here and no action I am going with hell.
I am stuck in the library where the other stagieres (interns) are. This is the first time they acknowledged my prescence even though I had been there three other days with them. After doing the basic greetings and exchanging the different approaches on how to become a lawyer, we started talking about what every Parisien talks about Paris and sex. It is incredible. We were working at a prestigious international law firm and an intern who doesn't even have a job there starts openly talking about sex with me.
They wanted to know if I had seen the TV program where a French, strike that, a Parisien journalist poses two questions that only someone from Paris would ask and of which every person in Paris thinks is normal: Is there really any life outside of Paris in France, and can you live without sex?
Apparently this was an entire hour long program where two lawyers debated these topics. So of course the interns asked me what I thought. I of course told them I preferred Bretagne over Paris (really any French countryside, but Bretagne most of all) and I think we all know the answer to the second question. Oh wait any normal person would know the answer to the second question but this is the Furry we are talking about so I will reassure everyone and I told them that of course there wasn't life without sex. So either I am a ghost or just in hell, but with all the conversations about sex I have had with women here and no action I am going with hell.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
MMM North American Tasty
So I didn't exactly post the entire conversation I had the other night when I went out with my two attractive female classmates.
Two glasses of wine and 2 very strong rhum drinks into the conversation we raised our glasses and said "Tchin Tchin" French equivalent to "cheers". Apparently here in France if you don't look someone in the eyes while doing this you get 7 years of not enjoying sex. (Arbusto insert joke about the Furry here). Anyways that is how we got started talking about sex. Then they started talking about blowjobs, and they asked if I knew cum tasted different depending on what I ate. I said I didn't know from experience but had heard of that. They then wanted to know if North American or cum from the USA tasted different than French cum.
Now for all of you expecting this to lead somewhere...SHAME ON YOU. Have you not read my blog. Do you not know that I am the master of either women leading me on or me just not knowing whatsoever. Remember the Seinfeld episode where George turns down "coffee" in the lady's apartment. That is my life over and over and over again. So no nothing happened. I am just a sad pathetic Furry.
Two glasses of wine and 2 very strong rhum drinks into the conversation we raised our glasses and said "Tchin Tchin" French equivalent to "cheers". Apparently here in France if you don't look someone in the eyes while doing this you get 7 years of not enjoying sex. (Arbusto insert joke about the Furry here). Anyways that is how we got started talking about sex. Then they started talking about blowjobs, and they asked if I knew cum tasted different depending on what I ate. I said I didn't know from experience but had heard of that. They then wanted to know if North American or cum from the USA tasted different than French cum.
Now for all of you expecting this to lead somewhere...SHAME ON YOU. Have you not read my blog. Do you not know that I am the master of either women leading me on or me just not knowing whatsoever. Remember the Seinfeld episode where George turns down "coffee" in the lady's apartment. That is my life over and over and over again. So no nothing happened. I am just a sad pathetic Furry.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Red Peppers and Anal Sex
Yes you read the title right. Tonight I went out with one of the girls I have been hanging out with. We met up with her boyfriend (bummer). After drinking together and getting to know each other a little he told me a story about one of his friends. (This is translated from French). He told me saw his friend smiling one morning, and BF asked the guy why he was smiling. The guy told BF that he had just got done butt fucking a girl. He then went on and when he was done he found out that the girl had eaten red peppers the day before because he found a piece of red pepper on his dick.
I hope no one was eating red peppers while reading that story. What is weird about this relationship between this girl I know and the boyfriend is that she is 22 and he is 35. Yes you read it right. Plus he has a 6 year old. This is a very attractive, smart, and confident 22 year old too. And the guy isn't all that charming and looks more like 45 then 35. Although my parents have 18 years between them not 13 I don't understand this relationship whatsoever.
Well off to bed, I am slightly drunk, tired, and just got done eating some greasy food, is there a better combination?
Oh yeah I am below 100 kilos finally. Which in US terms means I am below 220lbs. When I got here I was over 250lbs. Go me. And have fun eating red peppers.
I hope no one was eating red peppers while reading that story. What is weird about this relationship between this girl I know and the boyfriend is that she is 22 and he is 35. Yes you read it right. Plus he has a 6 year old. This is a very attractive, smart, and confident 22 year old too. And the guy isn't all that charming and looks more like 45 then 35. Although my parents have 18 years between them not 13 I don't understand this relationship whatsoever.
Well off to bed, I am slightly drunk, tired, and just got done eating some greasy food, is there a better combination?
Oh yeah I am below 100 kilos finally. Which in US terms means I am below 220lbs. When I got here I was over 250lbs. Go me. And have fun eating red peppers.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Last Night
Last night I drank quite a bit. It started off when one of my classmates called me over to study at a cafe. I wasn't going to say no to two beautiful ladies asking me to come study with them, so of course I went. I felt like drinking a bit at the cafe, while they started with coffees. I ordered a Kir framboise, which was extraordinarily strong for a Kir. After that one was finished I had another one this time a Kir banane, which was strong again. Finally one of the other girls joined in and she got a drink while I ordered another Kir; this time a Kir poire, which was by far the best of all 3.
We then decided to go to a bar, since we had finished studying. The original bar we went to was completely dead and overpriced so we found another one called "le Rhumarie". It was great and as you might guess filled with rum drinks. I had 2 very very strong rums there as did the two girls. While there they had talked me into skipping a play I had bought tickets to, so that I would instead spend the evening with them. We also got to talking about sex. One of the more funnier moments was when they said I had to experience sex with a French woman, so that I would know more than just the missionary position because American girls were so boring in bed. We talked about oral sex for awhile, then decided we needed something to eat.
We went back to one of their apartments had some dinner, drank a glass of wine and then ended with 2 more Martini Cokes (sounds weird I know but was pretty damn good). Anyways, for all of you hoping that this story leads somewhere....you have to remember who is writing this. The evening ended uneventful. We all went home. And as always over here in France, I woke up without a hangover.
We then decided to go to a bar, since we had finished studying. The original bar we went to was completely dead and overpriced so we found another one called "le Rhumarie". It was great and as you might guess filled with rum drinks. I had 2 very very strong rums there as did the two girls. While there they had talked me into skipping a play I had bought tickets to, so that I would instead spend the evening with them. We also got to talking about sex. One of the more funnier moments was when they said I had to experience sex with a French woman, so that I would know more than just the missionary position because American girls were so boring in bed. We talked about oral sex for awhile, then decided we needed something to eat.
We went back to one of their apartments had some dinner, drank a glass of wine and then ended with 2 more Martini Cokes (sounds weird I know but was pretty damn good). Anyways, for all of you hoping that this story leads somewhere....you have to remember who is writing this. The evening ended uneventful. We all went home. And as always over here in France, I woke up without a hangover.
Friday, November 10, 2006
I HATE FRENCH WOMEN
Okay so I was going to include this in my last post, but thought it deserved a post of its own.
As the title "implies" (Yes Arbusto, implies) I hate French women, okay maybe hate is too strong of a word.
So I had three potential targets since the last time I posted. One during my clown internship (don't worry will explain it in a later post, but yes I took classes in Paris on how to be a clown) and two from my current classes.
All three acted the same way and oddly enough all three ended the same way. I think what it comes down to is me being completely unable to read signs from women whatsoever. I might be able to read US Supreme Court Cases and understand them; US Army interrogation logs and be able to cite what article they are violating in international treaties; or Candide in French and understand Voltaires word games or satire of Leibniz; but for fuck's sake I am like a Elaine trying to figure out why Ziggy is so funny when it comes to me and women. Normally just stating my record of 24 years and only one 2 month disasterous relationship or getting my first kiss at the age of 22 would suffice. But no I will go on.
All 3 of the above mentioned attractive French ladies were friendly at first. Just in a normal friend type of way, but as time progressed they became more friendly. Now I always read more into things than anyone ever should, but here is what happened in all 3 cases. After awhile they began to open up more; they would either wait for me or tell me to wait to walk 3 blocks together before we split for the day; would sit next to me and whisper things to me during classes; would be over "complementative" (not sure if that is a word but it is now) on things I would tell them about me; would always be extremely close to me; and all 3 would touch me lightly on my arm or shoulder when telling me things or laughing together. They all 3 would said we should do such and such together or go to such and such and place. Now I wasn't thinking they were madly in love with me, I might be stupid but not retarded, I was just thinking that maybe they were giving me signs that they would be interested in hanging out together and seeing where things went from there.
What did all 3 have in common, they all had boyfriends ranging from 3-6 year relationships. Oddly enough all 3 lived with their boyfriend too. One of them is even dating a French Air Force jet pilot, and she has asked me to go out drinking and dancing with her. (Fearing retaliation from Maverick and Goose I am not sure if I am willing to go).
Anyways I think I prefer life in the States where I am not confused about women because it is clear none are hitting on me whatsoever.
As the title "implies" (Yes Arbusto, implies) I hate French women, okay maybe hate is too strong of a word.
So I had three potential targets since the last time I posted. One during my clown internship (don't worry will explain it in a later post, but yes I took classes in Paris on how to be a clown) and two from my current classes.
All three acted the same way and oddly enough all three ended the same way. I think what it comes down to is me being completely unable to read signs from women whatsoever. I might be able to read US Supreme Court Cases and understand them; US Army interrogation logs and be able to cite what article they are violating in international treaties; or Candide in French and understand Voltaires word games or satire of Leibniz; but for fuck's sake I am like a Elaine trying to figure out why Ziggy is so funny when it comes to me and women. Normally just stating my record of 24 years and only one 2 month disasterous relationship or getting my first kiss at the age of 22 would suffice. But no I will go on.
All 3 of the above mentioned attractive French ladies were friendly at first. Just in a normal friend type of way, but as time progressed they became more friendly. Now I always read more into things than anyone ever should, but here is what happened in all 3 cases. After awhile they began to open up more; they would either wait for me or tell me to wait to walk 3 blocks together before we split for the day; would sit next to me and whisper things to me during classes; would be over "complementative" (not sure if that is a word but it is now) on things I would tell them about me; would always be extremely close to me; and all 3 would touch me lightly on my arm or shoulder when telling me things or laughing together. They all 3 would said we should do such and such together or go to such and such and place. Now I wasn't thinking they were madly in love with me, I might be stupid but not retarded, I was just thinking that maybe they were giving me signs that they would be interested in hanging out together and seeing where things went from there.
What did all 3 have in common, they all had boyfriends ranging from 3-6 year relationships. Oddly enough all 3 lived with their boyfriend too. One of them is even dating a French Air Force jet pilot, and she has asked me to go out drinking and dancing with her. (Fearing retaliation from Maverick and Goose I am not sure if I am willing to go).
Anyways I think I prefer life in the States where I am not confused about women because it is clear none are hitting on me whatsoever.
Okay...Okay Sorry Part II
HA two posts in one day....if I keep this up I should be caught up by March.
In Part 1 I mentioned a conference, well yesterday I went to said conference and two things happened. First off one of my profs was there. Yep traveled 2k + miles to give a talk, didn't tell me he was going to be there (found out from my French profs), and when I introduced myself he said Hi....that was it. Maybe it is because I am from small town Iowa, but when a student is studying abroad and a represenative from the university travels that distance don't you think it is rude not tell the student that this prof is coming. Plus, he is here for 3 or 4 days and didn't invite me for coffee or lunch. Now I guess I am probably alone on this, but wouldn't you think as a member of the university they would want to know how the student is doing, is he having any problems, how is semester is going, concerns, etc. Nope, Hi and that is it. Bastard.
Also at this conference I randomly got myself into something that I am not sure I should have. I said hi to a lady that I thought I had in one of my mediation classes last month. I had already saw another one so thought maybe a couple had come to this conference. After the conference we chatted some and I saw her name on a business card she gave me. I began thinking maybe this wasn't who I thought it was, she looked slightly different and had a different name then I thought she had. We chatted some more then she asked me to give a presentation to her law firm about the American mediation process. I said that I wasn't sure, I hadn't really taken any classes on the subject, etc. but she kept on insisting, so I gave her my card and she said she would call me. When I returned to my apartment I looked up the classmates name and sure enough it wasn't her. So to recap everything...I met a random person thinking she was someone else, was invited to give a presentation to a group of French lawyers, on a subject I don't know. Yet I am still going to go and give the presentation. I just have to find out what the hell Transitive Mediation is.
In Part 1 I mentioned a conference, well yesterday I went to said conference and two things happened. First off one of my profs was there. Yep traveled 2k + miles to give a talk, didn't tell me he was going to be there (found out from my French profs), and when I introduced myself he said Hi....that was it. Maybe it is because I am from small town Iowa, but when a student is studying abroad and a represenative from the university travels that distance don't you think it is rude not tell the student that this prof is coming. Plus, he is here for 3 or 4 days and didn't invite me for coffee or lunch. Now I guess I am probably alone on this, but wouldn't you think as a member of the university they would want to know how the student is doing, is he having any problems, how is semester is going, concerns, etc. Nope, Hi and that is it. Bastard.
Also at this conference I randomly got myself into something that I am not sure I should have. I said hi to a lady that I thought I had in one of my mediation classes last month. I had already saw another one so thought maybe a couple had come to this conference. After the conference we chatted some and I saw her name on a business card she gave me. I began thinking maybe this wasn't who I thought it was, she looked slightly different and had a different name then I thought she had. We chatted some more then she asked me to give a presentation to her law firm about the American mediation process. I said that I wasn't sure, I hadn't really taken any classes on the subject, etc. but she kept on insisting, so I gave her my card and she said she would call me. When I returned to my apartment I looked up the classmates name and sure enough it wasn't her. So to recap everything...I met a random person thinking she was someone else, was invited to give a presentation to a group of French lawyers, on a subject I don't know. Yet I am still going to go and give the presentation. I just have to find out what the hell Transitive Mediation is.
Okay...Okay Sorry Part 1
Well sorry I haven't posted in awhile. Basically I was just lazy like usual. But since some of you have so "politely" pointed out that I should post, looking at you MONA, here it goes:
Hmm, how to catch everyone up. Well I have an internship FINALLY. It is at an international law frim with about 20 or so lawyers. It is great. They have 3 divisions an English speaking division, a German division, and an insurance division (one of their big clients is a very large American insurance company). Oh they are doing pretty well for a law firm too. They are in the richest part of Paris, with a huge building gated and all, across from the Algerian Embassy, and next door to the Rolex building (yes Rolex has an entire building rather than just a normal store like every other company). They also have a patio overlooking an awesome park.
I am working with an American who has been in Paris for 20 years now. Basically he is just using me for my Westlaw, but it is all good because I am just using him for my resume. There are two extremely hot associates too, including one who has the whole sexy librarian look down to a T.
In more class related news... My dick of a professor over here keeps blaming me for all of the problems. Thankfully my prof back home knows that it is not my problem and the French Prof is just one big ass. He told me he couldn't find me an internship (he had 3 months before I got there and 2 months afterwards) because I missed one meeting with him that would have lasted a half hour on a Saturday in September. Apparently that was the only Saturday in the entire two months that I have been here that would work to find me an internship.
I have started daily classes though, with people my age. It is going pretty well. My French has improved a hundred times over, and I am able to contribute in class. The other day we had to split the class, 21 people, up into groups for a conference. Each person was supposed to listen, take notes, and report on a speaker. Then as a group we would take all of the notes and condense it into 2 pages of what the conference was about. This was being done during the class that is focusing on "team building" (I use quotations because those are the same words the French use and it is hilarious to hear them say team building). We had an hour and a half to figure out responsibilities, roles, and when people were attending. The prof told let us do it all by ourselves and he observed.
What he ended up observing was 45 minutes of French babble with absolutely nothing decided. I constantly was looking at him trying to get him to stop the neverending talk about absolutely nothing. I had a massive headache to boot. Finally he stopped it and then to my surprise asked me how this all would have gone down in the States. I told him someone would be the leader, direct the talk, asked focused questions, and make sure everyone stayed on task. He then completely caught me off guard and asked me after observing the 45 minutes of bullshit who I would think would be that leader. I told him who, he told that person to take over, and everything was done 15 minutes later. I lauged because the American way took 15 minutes and the French way would probably be still going on as I am typing this, even though the conference is already over.
Anyways, hopefully I will post more often and the cat that is lying next to me will stop snoring.
Hmm, how to catch everyone up. Well I have an internship FINALLY. It is at an international law frim with about 20 or so lawyers. It is great. They have 3 divisions an English speaking division, a German division, and an insurance division (one of their big clients is a very large American insurance company). Oh they are doing pretty well for a law firm too. They are in the richest part of Paris, with a huge building gated and all, across from the Algerian Embassy, and next door to the Rolex building (yes Rolex has an entire building rather than just a normal store like every other company). They also have a patio overlooking an awesome park.
I am working with an American who has been in Paris for 20 years now. Basically he is just using me for my Westlaw, but it is all good because I am just using him for my resume. There are two extremely hot associates too, including one who has the whole sexy librarian look down to a T.
In more class related news... My dick of a professor over here keeps blaming me for all of the problems. Thankfully my prof back home knows that it is not my problem and the French Prof is just one big ass. He told me he couldn't find me an internship (he had 3 months before I got there and 2 months afterwards) because I missed one meeting with him that would have lasted a half hour on a Saturday in September. Apparently that was the only Saturday in the entire two months that I have been here that would work to find me an internship.
I have started daily classes though, with people my age. It is going pretty well. My French has improved a hundred times over, and I am able to contribute in class. The other day we had to split the class, 21 people, up into groups for a conference. Each person was supposed to listen, take notes, and report on a speaker. Then as a group we would take all of the notes and condense it into 2 pages of what the conference was about. This was being done during the class that is focusing on "team building" (I use quotations because those are the same words the French use and it is hilarious to hear them say team building). We had an hour and a half to figure out responsibilities, roles, and when people were attending. The prof told let us do it all by ourselves and he observed.
What he ended up observing was 45 minutes of French babble with absolutely nothing decided. I constantly was looking at him trying to get him to stop the neverending talk about absolutely nothing. I had a massive headache to boot. Finally he stopped it and then to my surprise asked me how this all would have gone down in the States. I told him someone would be the leader, direct the talk, asked focused questions, and make sure everyone stayed on task. He then completely caught me off guard and asked me after observing the 45 minutes of bullshit who I would think would be that leader. I told him who, he told that person to take over, and everything was done 15 minutes later. I lauged because the American way took 15 minutes and the French way would probably be still going on as I am typing this, even though the conference is already over.
Anyways, hopefully I will post more often and the cat that is lying next to me will stop snoring.
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