shoes, ships, sealing wax

[freckles_and_doubt]

I think I may have just arranged to ship two boxes from Auchs to Cape Town, but the conversation was entirely in sort of French, so it's quite possible I've just arranged to have my aunt, her chihuahua and an assortment of cookies shipped to Albuquerque. Only time will tell. I'm becoming extremely quick-draw on my pocket dictionary. Generally speaking the French people in this area are lovely, very willing to repeat things "un peu plus lentment, s'il vous plait", and only laugh a little bit when I hunt frenziedly through the dictionary for the French for "suburb". (Banlieu. Rondebosch, c'est une banlieu du Cap, oui? Cape Town is "Le Cap". This always sounds a bit over-familiar to me.)

There was a massive storm through this part of the world in January, and there are still trees down everywhere, and piles of neatly-sawn logs all over the show. The Frenchman loves his chainsaw, god wot. I'd show you photos, but the USB ports on my dad's computer seem to connect only to an alternate dimension. I hope the alternate dimension appreciates all the shots of Scabby!Cat. (In true feline fashion, the instant we gave up and let him in the house, he decided he didn't really need to be inside anyway - I haven't seen him all day. Dear little perverse thing that he is).

I am very covered more or less continuously in very dusty dust, which means I'm sneezing and my eyes are streaming. Also, hands in shreds from cleaning. But we're nearly there.

Comments

[bumpycat.livejournal.com]

Banlieu is actually one of the few French words I know, thanks to the excellent film Banlieu D13. It's a cyberpunkish film with an absolutely amazing parkour scene. Watch it just for that.

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

Ooh, looks interesting. I love watching parkour. Thanks for the recommendation. Now, of course, I shall also never forget the French for "suburb".

[(Anonymous)]

Funny to think you're all the way over there in France, going through the same process I am here, what with the packing up house and all. Only we haven't a Scabby!Cat. Probably just as well...
everymoment

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

I thought of you while I packed up kitchens - hope yours went OK. You can console yourself that you didn't actually have to fit everything important into one 1mx60cmx50xm trunk, and a suitcase. (I think the kids would have ended up somewhat compressed).

[wolverine-nun.livejournal.com]

Ailing parent, houses to transport in a foreign language, yadda yadda, but what's REALLY important is that today is the last day of Fug Madness. Be there or be square!

Fug Madness

[first-fallen.livejournal.com]

Tilda Swinton for evar!!!

Re: Fug Madness

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

I kinda hoped Tilda would win it, she dresses with such deadpan insanity, but still retains serious class. Aubrey O'Day, on the other hand, is (a) who? and (b) tacky.

Re: Fug Madness

[first-fallen.livejournal.com]

(a) The Mayoress of Skankville, apparently, as well as Chairwoman of the Silicon Appreciation Society and also a founding member of Madamoiselles Sans Panties

Re: Fug Madness

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

You can't really say she's a founding member of Mademoiselles Sans Panties, she's more a bandwagon leaper, post the Paris Hilton/Lindsay Lohan thing. I think Mademoiselles Sans Panties seriously predates recent upstarts such as Aubrey O'Who? On the other hand, mad props for the society title. It has a ring to it.

Re: Fug Madness

[first-fallen.livejournal.com]

"it has a ring to it"

Urgh :(.