Fall is around the corner..oh my!

My android virtual assistant kept waking me up every 7 minutes from 8:30 on this morning... For the better of me I finally rose up at 9:15 and made my way to Maguelone Beach via bus 32 from Garcia Lorca new Tram 4 station.  I was told the sad news when "renting" the free TAM bike to continue the journey to the unspoiled beach: next Wednesday will be its last day of operation.  Time to find another route.  My skin does not allow 2 consecutive days on the beach,, umbrella and 50 SPF sunscreen or not, one melanoma suffice!  On Friday I will experiment the same beach from Palavas-les-Flots, bus 131.  Not a part of TAM, ergo no free transfer,expecting an extra Euro if bought by 10 trips and another 1,50 for a bike.  Hopefully Palavas bike rental's will last past September (to be determined,) otherwise I will need to rough it up and head to the easier accessible "textile" beaches this fall until I can afford to save up to buy either a bike or a scooter later on.  NYC and Montpellier are similar this way, one has Labor Day, the latter September first as their unofficial end of summer dates. Life isn't fair ...LOL

Not searching for help nor apathy.... Why, as a total atheist, I often ]think (for a second) I should end it all to be reunited with my Wayne? WTF? I WILL NOT, wondering why the thought..... Anyone?

Administration headaches are universal

Welcome to the famous French administration,,,, Was told to be at a location at 8 AM,,, Yet it opens at 8:30... No big deal, yet once there and having waited for 3 hours I am politely told I was not sent to the right local.. It is imperative to be heard prior the weekend. I left, hand written note in hand to the new location which of course will only open after 2:30 PM....I am there, oops, closed on Thursdays... Arrrghhh... See you on Friday at 8:30 then. After making my mind to go to my grandmother's funeral, the French government decided otherwise. C;est la vie..........

I am a loony without a tune

Few days ago I had my first session with a French

"shrink," no coach...LOL.... It has been a long while since I was in therapy. The initial meeting was fruitful, nothing deep, A simple introduction, yet prior the end she mentioned she felt I was in exile, less French and more American adding I am in mourning, not only for my darling Wayne, but also for NYC, America, the way of life and my love of the English language (I did not mention Tiger our cat whom I miss on a daily basis) Although I am privileged to be able to live in Montpellier,  I sure wished I could have lived the rest of my life in what I will forever consider home, the beautiful United States of America.  

Seafood Place

After more then a month I finally the best seafood place around.  Chez le pecheur,  16 rue Subleyras, located in a quiet small street, a ten minute walk  Olivier, the owner an ex- professional fisherman, welcomed me with a broad smile and was eager to help me with his knowledge. I opted for this morning fresh lined caught mackerel which he filleted  on the spot. not omitting his favorite preparation: on a really, really hot pan, 2 minutes on each side to be drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper. Perfect.....

Fresh, reasonable, and welcoming, what more can a fish lover as I am can ask for? Unfortunately my next trip will have to wait 10 days, he will be closed next week. 

The "Games"

I am watching some of the Olympic Games on the French TV.  As in the US, most of the aired events only involve the homeland flag.. Judo, Kayak, Table Tennis, Fencing, Archery............Yawn...... I realize nothing has changed since I moved to the US in 1991: sore looser, always finding excuses: the weather (oops, your opponent had the same handicap,) the infamous injury from 2 or 5 years ago, the umpire was unfair or the latest, she had 1/2 hour less rest than her opponent ... I am rooting for ...........changing the channel, MSNBC, hello sanity, lets hear what Trump had to say today...

PS

One the biggest outrage here: the main events air late (3 to 5 AM) due to NBC controlling the games' schedule. 

French TV: can I also please add to your viewers: BRAZIL IS ON ANOTHER TIME ZONE!!! FCOL

Complains, complains and more complains.....Welcome to France, not that I am complaining. ;-)

F..k I love the English language

I am going crazy not being able to speak English on a daily basis. I am not f..king kidding, I now have out-loud conversation with myself while CNN is airing in the background.

WTF? I woke up, 8:30 It's gonna be a warm day today. Heading to the beach. I am all ready, umbrella, water, beach towel. Starting to walk when I realize it is much darker than usual. Wait a minute, I took a nap last evening, did I sleep 16 hours? It is now 9, 9 PM.!!!! Really Laurent, what The Ef. is wrong with you? I am still laughing while preparing my DINER! That was a POWERFUL nap ;-) Maybe I need to change my clock to the 24 H format

Ooops, I am in trouble.  August 1st starts tomorrow and already, my fish monger and baker posted the infamous sign, Ferme pour conge anuel. (Closed for Annual Leave,) will be back August 28.  All are allowed to go on vacation yet can't a business run without its owner?  For the next month more than half of my neighborhood stores will be closed. I will resign myself to the supermarket chains.  Ahhhh the French and their conges payes, this entitlement of paid vacation of at least 5 weeks a year. In a very thick French accent a la "I Love Lucy" by a man with a funny mustache, I can hear, "But it is a trrrradition Monsieur, we all go on vacation in August..."

Headed to the local gay bar around he corner to lift me up and see happy people dancing around When it hit me, I really don't care I am turning 45, Since 1999 my best present was having Wayne next to me. No unwrapping needed. I really, really, REALLY miss my present.