girl at large

the barrier is coming down...the

the barrier is coming down...the little lady next door, whom i see at the same time every morning with her little dog as i'm walking my little dog actually nodded to me this morning! that is a very big thing....and the young gals at the cyber cafe recognize (and acknowledge) me on the street, but only of course, if the so very popular miss ruby is with me. its a good start!

i had another haircut this morning, a little shorter this time. i don't know what is more exciting...the gorgeously detailed do, or the matter of having made the 'rendez-vous' in french! i have a busy afternoon today, two flats to help clean. i have a few little odd jobs here and there for spending money...but i must say, i do miss work that uses ones mind. i'm working on that though. one thing at a time. its only the start of month two.

i just read that the phrase i was using to say "thank you" in a way other than the usual 'merci' actually means 'your welcome'. imagine, for a week, i've been proudly saying 'you're welcome"..like they should be thrilled to have served moi, the queen of sheba! at least i think thats what it means...each english/french book has it different. or maybe it means both. i have no earthly idea. must ask a frenchie.

Mom

Mom
-international adventurer and proud Capitaine of sailboat Tishie Mae (her childhood nickname), living in Antibes in the south of France. does not speak French. mother, advisor, supporter and occasional tormentor.

ok, no more worrying about

ok, no more worrying about that damn envelope. nothing to be done about it now. the checks can be re-sent, i can manage my bills online. the irs will just have to believe me about the tax write off. deep breath. ok. there.

i have a proper date on Saturday! we are meeting at the train station in Nice (halfway point for our respective residences) for a stroll and dinner. that singles night was not a bad idea...i hear they are having another (ages 40+) soon, mom and uncle Bert must attend! mom and Bert...they can't speak a lick of french, but we are going to have them cooking and dressing smart by damn! (mom and i are teaching uncle Bert to cook, one meal at a time...Friday nights at his place for intensive instruction, and my new friend Maria and i are 'defrumping' moms wardrobe...one new hat down, now just have to get rid of those riduculous old lady shoes, Ballys or not!).

catastrophe, disaster, un grand faut.....a

catastrophe, disaster, un grand faut.....a classic Kate. the envelope i mailed priority-next day-insured-signature-required-delivery-confirmation the day before i left Savannah has never been received by the accountant in Chicago. quelle surprise! jesus, it took me hours to compile those renovation receipts...ask Ryan. the internet tracking says it was in GA on the 14th, but on the phone, they said it was delivered in Chicago on the 2nd. regardless, the accountant doesnt have my bill statements, Tessa's rent and deposit checks, etc. what a mess. and there is not a damn thing i can do about it from here. just try getting through to the postal service on the phone.

Uncle Bert

Uncle Bert
-man-about-town, dapper, dashing and a bit of a dandy. residing on a sailing yacht on the Mediterranean despite concerns of the aging effects of the sun on skin. eats like a teenage boy during a growth spurt. fabulous head of hair. really my blood uncle, not my "uncle".

Sister Margaret

Margaret
-over-qualified, highly-educated ex-pat currently living in London with well-mannered and gentlemanly husband Ryan (not pictured). aspiring novelist, private investigator and Agatha Christie Look-Alike contest winner. younger sister, frequent victim of my competetive streak.

Brother Thomas

Thomas Noe
-soft-spoken, geeky young "hottie" recently relocated to Hollywood, California USA to take up dream job in production company run by ex-NYC gay club kids. has quickly become office favorite. younger brother and computer/internet advisor and fellow lover of all things VW.

The Old Man

The Old Man
-living somewhere in the wilds of middle Wisconsin, USA, tending to own garden and surgical needs of local population. likes to putter about in woodshop, risking loss of highly-important digits. known to drive three-quarter ton pick up trucks and other vehicles grossly oversized for his stature.

Rydog

The Rydog
-also known as Ryan. giver of authentic Burberry bags, english reading material, raspberries and the occassional std. dearest companion, world's best wedding and funeral date, bar none. living in middle Wisconsin god help him.

last night, i went to

last night, i went to a ....singles night. i wasn't sure what i had gotten myself into when i accepted the invite, i never pass up the chance to go out for a drink with folks my age. but a singles night?

it was fabulous! i met more eligible, dateable men in three hours than i had met in the last three years! all had jobs, lives, flats, personalities, and manners! (and the all important EU status) i should receive an email later today letting me know who is interested...oh, the possibilities!

Miss Dawn

Miss Dawn
-also known as "little sip of champagne", dear friend, motion graphics designer and excellent apartment caretaker. passing her retirement years in the warmth and charm of Historic Savannah, Georgia. enjoys golf, playing bridge, charity fundraisers and a snifter of brandy at bedtime. makes outstanding chicken gumbo.

Mike Dear

Mike Dear
-a trainer of Arabian show horses in a previous life, currently focusing teaching abilities on the needs of the Boston area night life devotees. voted "Best Smile" and "Most Likely to be Arrested Wearing Chaps" in highschool. long time friend and constant cheerleader. excellent dinner companion, adored by mothers everywhere.

ahh...sitting at a very little

ahh...sitting at a very little table, drinking a very little coffee in my new very little french jeans, getting a little sunshine with my little dog. all i need are boots on very little heels and i'm all set...i have been working very hard on being as little as possible in every way...all things here are petite...the flats, the cars, the portions, the clothes, the voices....life is slower and smaller in every dimension imaginable.

its a lovely little life.

Miss Angel and Dan

Miss Angel and Dan
previous morning coffee-clutch partner and expert questioner of the 'If you were a tree what kind would you be?' variety. recently wed to Dan who hails from my homestate of Wisconsin, i witnessed their first date in Savannah, Georgia. currently the mighty duo have relocated to the Chicago area and are devising fiendish plans to persuade me to return to the land of bratwurst, ice and snow.

The Custard

The Custard
-also known as Chris, Balls, Wanker, Spanker and Linguini. living in California, smogville (L.A.) to be precise. broke my heart a few years back, but maintains status of good friend by virtue of great sense of humor and great distance.

KrissyKristan

KrissyKristan
writer, soulful thinker and avid animal-lover---rescues lost pets and dateless weekends with warm smile, big heart and gentle ways. recently re-located to Santa Monica, California after falling for another set of big brown eyes.

Kevin Darling

Kevin Darling
dashing, charming and absolutely FABULOUS in every way. outstanding dancer and sweet-natured if slightly high-strung friend. fond of disappearing at odd moments. flaming of course. currently saving lives in Atlanta.

why is there always one

why is there always one ugly american to spoil everything? i was moved up a level in my french language courses this morning, very pleased, mostly because i thought for a blessed moment that the annoying, loud, obnoxious, idiot new american arrival would then not be in my group. but, alas, he barged in, loud and stupid, half an hour late. he got advanced too! no, it cannot be! (we believe our prof. wanted him out of her class!) tomorrow, we are demanding he be moved or made to shut the hell up...he wastes so much of our time and really doesnt have a clue as to what we are working on!)

"en greve!" (on strike) how very french of us!

obnoxious is obnoxious anywhere. and tell me, why is it that a queen is a queen in any language? (i'm going dancing with Philipe and the 'boys' this weekend, of course...how do they find me??)

Mr. Grant Nelson

Mr. Grant Nelson
artist, entrepeneur, and a big hit wid' da ladies. packs a lot of punch in a little package. currently holding down the fort in Savannah, Georgia.

Affable Dan

Affable Dan
designer, slick life-style leader, and source of endless enthusiasm for new life experiences. moved west as a young man to persue dreams of fabulous-ness. adds spice to any occassion, peppers communication with liberal exclamation points!!!!

How to Look and Act French (or "There is a Roasted Chicken in My Purse")

>wear a scarf at all times. this applies to the male gender as well. arrange it with flourish. note: this is the only item that is allowed to be a color other than black or gray.
>carry a bag at all times. again, this applies to both genders as well as children. purses, totes, satchels and baskets are all acceptable.
>take up as little space as possible when walking: hands in pockets, elbows in, feet together. learn to balance on cobblestones with heels together, practice at home.
>when seated, also take up as small a space as you can whilst still breathing. bags under your chair, legs crossed tightly, arms down, hands in lap.
>when walking, do not 'blink' as someone approaches directly in your path, it is much like playing "chicken", but you both turn your shoulders just a bit at the last minute and manage to pass each other by while keeping all feet involved on the four inches of sidewalk. do not stop in your path to 'let' someone "by" regardless of age, size, stroller, packages or trolley!
>smoke. always. everywhere. it is very important to smoke in restaurants, cafes, train stations and most importantly, when in the pharmacy.
>have a small dog with you. (the older you are, the smaller the dog: age 65=4 lb dog) the dog goes where you go. never, ever "pick up" after said dog. leashes are optional. a dog carried in your requisite bag is even better.
>also, in your bag, carry at least three packs of cigarettes for the day (but never a lighter or matches, that is what the tourists are for!), your daily baguette, a back up scarf, and the occasional roasted chicken.
>do not wear a watch. what do you care what time it is? you are French!

Miss Maria and Little Grace

Miss Maria and Little Grace
-colorful (in every way) chef, sailor and mother enjoying the Frenchy life in Antibes with Captain Hubby Phil (not pictured). fearless, forward and always to be counted on for a good laugh and great shoes---both of them. first is great friend, second is from time to time subjected to my somewhat sub-par babysitting skills.

Miss Liz

Miss Liz
-avid skier, domestic goddess, and generally in charge of wherever she is currently situated. at home on any warship. currently living in Antibes, France for close proximity to both beach and ski slopes. likes her gin and tonic, prepared to bring her own as necessary. keen friend and frequent chauffeur.

my olive man is on

my olive man is on vacation! ! you have no idea what a problem this is...i only have a handful of olives left! the "Marche Provincial" is just a few blocks away..a few mornings a week mom is there to do the shopping (i join her when i don't have class)...fresh produce, cheese, meat, bread, flowers...gorgeous stuff. and the best damn olives you have ever had...dozens of varieties and this particular one with olive oil and herbs provincial...oh man, i could eat them all day everyday. and the olive man is gone for two weeks or more! what to do?!?

the monsieur at the Tabac shop pulled out my brand when i walked in today after class...he didn't make me ask! that is quite a feat, a little victory. of course, i've been in there every day at the exact same time for 9 days, buying exactly the same thing. but it took mom a good part of a year to get the same response! (he's kind of crabby).
its the little things!

there are too many English

there are too many English speakers here! now i know mom's secret! it is hard to practice my French when everyone speaks English! and mom keeps introducing me to English speaking friends! at English pubs! ugh! "I'm knackered, fancy some bangers and mash?" NO! NO! NO! i am going to have to make an effort to find French friends, to go to the cafe rather than the Pub. Je n'aime pas de "white coffee", je prefere d'espress.

Miss Ruby and i met Napoleon today, the dog i will be taking care of during my flat-sitting job in early February. "Nap" is a cinnamon colored Griffin mix with big, luscious brown eyes, older and calm. believe it or not, Miss Ruby's manners have improved greatly...she no longer jumps about when meeting another dog...i believe she is overwhelmed..there are chiens everywhere! she is laying on the floor by my side, nice and quiet as i write in the 'cyber espace' as we speak...ma bonne chienne!

Salue! it is chillier in

Salue! it is chillier in Antibes today, the Mistral wind is swirling down the mountains, dropping the temperature and making a mess of everyone's laundry. no colder than the coldest days in Savannah, but enough to warrant hot toddies in the evenings. you know, after the midday biere, vin rouge with dinner and porte apres dinner.

i've begun my French language lessons, and do not mind at all being in the beginer (a "debutante" at last!) level for, as mom says, it is easier then to be the best in the class! my only mistake thus far was repeating the names of nearby towns, markets, etc. to others the way mom has pronounced them to me...not wise! lets just say dear mere is "pronunciation disabled". but that aside, she makes her way about town like a native...it really is something to see.

oh, and how the French love the dog! they won't smile at you, but they will smile at your dog! (and kiss her!) the first phrases are coming easy as i have to repeat them every walk...Elle s'appelle Ruby. Elle est deux ans. Elle est sage. Oui, elle est si mignon! Mais, elle ou moi? (my first little French joke..."Yes, she is sooo cute, but did you mean her or me?"

Bonjour from Antibes! you know,

Bonjour from Antibes! you know, as much as i admire and adore the French, popular music is just not their forte. the techno/disco/euro-rap/godknowswhat that is playing at the cyber cafe at the moment is a hoot. the moment we loaded up into the taxi at the airport for the seaside drive from Nice to Antibes, the driver turned up the radio and sang along in passable English to, I swear to god, an REO Speedwagon number. now, for those who know that i lack musical integrity myself, this is doubly amusing. at least i have one thing in common with the French!

well, most of you should have received my "made it here alive!" email earlier and will understand if i keep todays entry short. i'm so wiped out...must be the traveling, the sardine can airplane, the heavy box lifting and the general stress of the last few months finally being released...i feel as if i could sleep the sleep of the dead. good thing i brought my favorite pillow!

pets are people too

Miss Ruby
-flirtacious, slightly hyper-active young pup. fearful of trains, commercial refrigerators and vacuum cleaners. looks great in red and loves to dance. constant companion.

Miss Jack
-night owl with monthly moodswings fond of naps and window sills. able to handle her own with people and dogs but occasionally (and rightfully) lashes out at the latter if pestered too much. drinks out of the tap. currently in my care.

Tishie Mae
-previously abandoned in Port Vaubon shipyard drydock, rescued and put in the water by Mom and Uncle Bert early spring of 2003, still subject to final refurbishments. the only true Frenchy of the bunch, now fully equipped--including the all important refrigerator. currently home to Uncle Bert. that's his laundry hanging over the side if you ever go by slip 150.

11 hours and counting. too

11 hours and counting. too many tears this week, i'm wiped out! (no pun intended). much appreciation to everyone who had a hand in making my big move so much easier...the empty cardboard box carriers, the heavy cardboard box loaders and unloaders, the visitors, the well wishers, the last minute errand runners, the drink buyers and the long goodbyers. i'll miss Savannah some, but i'll miss a whole lotta somebodies in Savannah more.