Beginners for French!

In an effort to be a better Canadian and public servant, I have registered for a French Language Training program offered through my employer.  That’s how my application reads anyway.

In truth, I wonder how long it will take to become moderately proficient in the exercise of sarcasm in a second language.  Do the French even “do” sarcasm?   I’ll keep you posted.

If nothing else, a rudimentary grasp of French will remove that sense of frustration I often feel when trying to find the English ingredient list, or cooking instruction on food I am looking to buy or prepare.  No more cursing at the boxes and cans as they tumble through my hands as I seek answer to the question, “Is there meat in this soup?”

Sans meat!  Sans meat! I will read (or something like that) and I will reflect on the usefulness of my budding bilingualism.

I’ll visit my friends in Montreal and this time when the guy I accidently bump on the Metro says, “F*ck you!”  I will respond, “F*ck you, aussi!”

That’s what it’s all about isn’t it?  Growing understanding.  Tearing down those walls of miscommunication one brick at a time. . .

Exercising Ignorance: Muskrat Falls and Me

To date I have not read a single article or column inch on the controversial Muskrat Falls development proposal.   I am not proud of my ignorance or crippled with shame.  I promise to learn more.  In the meantime. . .

My ears have been christened with chatter of The Falls.  This has to count for something.  I have heard it spoken of amongst co-workers.  On my brief morning and evening commutes to and from the office I listen to CBC Radio 1 and hear, again, the chatter.

Based on these subjective and non-scientific sources, here is what I think I know:

It’s sure going to cost a lot!

Here is what I feel I do know (Muskrat Falls or not):

the people who can afford their monthly electricity bill now will be able to afford it then;

the people who find it difficult to manage their monthly electricity bill now will find it difficult to manage it then;

the people who cannot afford electricity now will not be able to afford it then.

                                                    ***

There is room for error in the above conclusions.  There will be some movement between and within categories.  For example, some of the people who cannot afford electricity now will be dead then.  Death by hypothermia perhaps. . .

AARH - The Concept of "Stuff"

Two households, both alike in . . . some ways, in “the fair hood” where I lay this scene. . .

Blending independent adult lives into one home step 1:

AARH - The Concept of “Stuff”

i.)                  Accept that you both have stuff.  A whole lotta stuff.  Some of the stuff is alive with four legs and weighs in at over 100 pounds.  Add another one just to see what happens!  Living stuff should have its own post in the future (see future post).

ii.)                 Assess your stuff.  Is that stuff as important as the space that it occupies?  Probably not.  Garbage, donation, bonfire, for sale, box in the basement (last resort)?  These are your options.  Choose wisely.  May the stuff be with (or without) you.

iii.)               Respect that their stuff is as important to them as your stuff is to you (even if that six-inch candle with its googly-eyed face gives you the heebie-geebies each time you walk into its room).   Embrace its story of origin and significance.  Seek therapy.

iv.)               Hide bits of their stuff.  If they don’t miss it in a few months consider your disposal options.

These points may help you as they have helped me, in my transition into shared home coupledom.  Remember:  love the stuffer, hate the stuff. :)

To be continued. . .