And then there was Matt

Well, well well, internets, what have we here...



It's been crazy lately! Sebastien's parents came to town, as did his aunt and uncle. Matt and Tara were around for a spell. I started a new job last week AND I leave for Tunisia on Monday morning. This smells like a photo opportunity!















You'll probably see pictures soon, but I met a new rucksack. Yeah, picked him up for 10 Euros. Down on his lot. Hanging out in an ally. I knew as soon as I saw him though that we were going to go places together.
Finally had my first Fete de la Musique on Tuesday, too.  It was the thing I wanted most to see when France first started filling my imagination. It's hard to believe that my adventures here might come to a screeching halt on the 4th when I try to reenter France. But if they do, I have to remind myself that I've learned so much, and I've come so far with French. Lets see where fate takes me next. Cuz I'ma be on time when my stars align. -Cudi

PEACE.

Video Montage



Featuring Michael Vick, Joe Flacco, Brady Quinn, 
Dick Vermeil, Jaws & Mike Missanelli

Cloud cover over all that you do

And so, my fine, feathered friends I have come at last to roost.
I know you're as involved with my ongoings as I am so I shall share them with you forthwith!.
I've been busy. As earth shattering as it is surprising, I know.
Well, I did the introduce myself v-log and another one for the KROD and my travel and work plans have been in a state of perpetual flux.
I was going to go to Munich last weekend but my friend decided to take a train instead of driving. I just couldn't drop that kind of dinero on a ticket to voyage to a place I could walk to in a weeks time. Less, if I'm feeling skippy. Plus, if Germany is anything like I imagine it, it's totally dark there 24/7.

I almost went back to the District WILLINGLY to teach summer school but I didn't want to have to cancel my trip to Tunisia. I told them I would, but judging from their lack of response, they wanted to hear yes the first time.
It's a good sum of money to have to pass up. But what's cash to a Gypsy Rover? (I'll just whistle and sing till the green woods ring)
I went on a job interview with Sebastien for a language school and we were both told he'd let us know by Wednesday. Their website is spunky and the chief seemed to enjoy my zest.  But I really have a lot to learn if I'm going to be a better teacher. (Those vagaries speak to my wanting to gouge my eyes out with a grammar spoon.) But I'm willing to try. (Read as: I am so tired of being broke.) It's exhausting.

My cash cow (such as it is) is gone for the summer as all three of my children students are going to go out of town for holiday. If things work out and I'm still here in the fall, we will allegedly pick up where we left off.  But I am not terribly optimistic at this point since they texted me this morning to cancel our final meeting before we call it quits. No ice cream for the kid-oz. Dez-o-lay.
That's just two of them though, the other is a high school student who doesn't want to learn english. She is pretty much the worst to work with ever. But I get a lot of reading done to and from her apartment.

Speaking of which, I'm rereading Angle of Repose. The framing story is just as interesting as the actual narrative--a fact which I feel speaks to the rarity of Stegner's capacities. Honestly, the first read through I was convinced it was autobiographical--but that's how dope he is.
Basically it's about a historian confined to a wheel chair, living in the souther california durring the sixties. Obviously he's a curmudgeon who doesn't understand these long hair freaky people.  And yet, he spins quite a tale of the west when it was still young and muddy based on grandmother's correspondences, art, and interviews.
You've heard me mention Edward Abbey, a few times, if you've been paying attention. Wallace Stegner was a major influence on his writing. (He was, in fact, his professor) So if you like engineering, ecology, art, displaced New England intellectuals, building shit, or letter writing, this is a great book for you.

I've been cleaning like a mad villain because Seba's parents are coming into Paris for three days starting tomorrow. I think they'll be bringing me that good, good floss, so I owe them.
Two of my coloc are moving out on Friday. We are thusly having a party for them that night. It's funny because one of my coloc has this long list of things which he keeps emailing us about and updating. I'm like, no one is surprised you're taking your own things.  You don't have to keep emailing me about it!
Anyway, it's made things a little sillier around here. You have to admit, it's kind of hilarious that he's telling us how many spoons are his. I personally can't decide if he was feeling vindictive or just wanted to practice writing in French. Neither would surprise me.
Sebastien teaching me the fundamentals of how best read in French. 
I am also going to be meeting up with a blogger friend, Matt, from, normally, I wouldn't say this but.. And he's going to be crashing at our place with a friend of his for the weekend. Check out his trip blog here.

I have two more classes to teach on Friday, and after that just one more week slash chance to save money for my trip to Africa before I am off. It is entirely possible that I won't be able to reenter France from Tunisia. But I'm still planing to try, and I'm hoping for the best.  I have a layover in Italy, which is pretty cool because I've never been there.

July should hold some upcoming fun for me. I want to go camping in the Alps and visiting in Germany. (Hey, it could happen). I wanna do more bike trips and tons more cook outs. I'll also visit la sud because I have important people to see in Nice and in Bordeaux. And they have pools.
J't'ai cassé !

I've never read Game of Thrones but I am totally digging the series. In all seriousness, I by no means go for long hair dudes. But it must be said: HBO is the best place to go for high production soft core porn. And Game of Thrones even throws in English accents! (Yes, I know; Rome) Well, think of it as part two. With less red and gold more snow and black.

Sebastien and I have started a second edition D and D game with some peeps and it's going pretty sweet.  It was weird at first, since we're not 45 or whatever they are. But I'm bubbly as a mo-fo when I'm nervous, so we soon won them over.
In game, I'm a spell caster. It's great when your conjurations always work. Makes you feel like you didn't just waste your action. Take that 4th edition!

Also, I tried donkey meat this weekend. I'm gunna be that guy who says it tastes like chicken. Cuz it does. But to be fair, it looked like turkey.
Gotta say, I love eating with the French. I'm all the time like, 'Oui, I will have a different alcohol with every course. I'm pretty sure it makes me more fluent in your language!' Doesn't do shit for my enunciation, though.

I am Erin's complete lack of enunciation.
Ah well, I guess a lot of those rotten tomatos I made mention of in my last post are still up in the air, but even if they break on me, I bet I'll enjoy slipping around in the mess. That's just how I roll. (As in around in a mess) YUP.

Hey, you can check out my tumblr if you feel like it. I started it so I could post pictures and basically just be an ass. It's working out pretty well so far.


Sebastien's b day is coming up...but what do you get for the guy who already has me?

Bonus Coverage

More photos from the 27th annual Ron Jaworski Celebrity Golf Challenge.

Click the Photo Gallery for all the action.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco's Sweet Follow-Through

Patriots QB Brian Hoyer & 
South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier


Buffalo Bills TE Jonathan Stupar 
Straight Down the Middle

Cabana Boys & Girls

Cabanas are always the life of the Pool Party. Here's a look at some of the popular places to hang out.

Subaru Cabana
Garo & Maritza Yepremian
Vicky & Dan Salazar
Erin Swain
Lauren Concklin
Curt & Cindy Allen
Pete Palcone
Chick & Evelyn Lee

 
Code Green Cabana
 Charles Kartsaklis, Jonathan Seibert, Alicia Ulerick, 
Tom & Frances Cleary, Linda & Steve Schmitz

KROD forever. (For ever eva? )

It's the ring of death time once again. You can head over to Sara's page to check out my entry and also to see the master list. (It's a daddy thing.)
I'm hosting Kandace from One Red Wall. This is a nice little treat for me because I had my video posted over on her page back for an earlier KROD. I absolutely loved her post because she captures on camera that moment when you and your friend realize you're on stage to do Karaoke and between the both of you, you only...
Well, watch the whole thing and see. It's priceless. Take it away, lady!


Hey there! I'm Kandace from One Red Wall. First, I need to start out with my sincere apologies to Erin for the video she had to host. And to all of you for what you are about to hear and see.
I have noticed that karaoke days are bad days for me. Last time we had a hazmat scare at work. This time I had gone to the gym, done yard work, and then got a call telling me not to go in to work  again ever. I was laid off starting immediately. Not fun. Rather than being stressed and pissed I said fuck it. We weren't going to wait for showers or trying to look nice. We decided to just have fun and forget the whole dirty & cranky bit. That meant we needed a fun song.
This song was one we all heard if we turned on the radio back in the day. This was from the summer between junior & senior years for me. Not sure if it was the same stateside, but I was overseas so I checked top played songs from 2001 and we had to do this one. It was fun and we hadn't heard it in years. Plus I figured I'd have a better chance of my baby sister not trying to hump me on video. Cause she's weird and does that.
The downside to this song it's that I am not sure if I every knew more than the chorus and a few random lines. My sister says she didn't even know a few. So we have lots of blank stares (me) and weird dancing (her) as we try to figure it out.
Again, I apologize for this. I'm sorry Erin. I'm sorry viewers. And I'm sorry Ms Jackson.


I loved that post. I am for real. To all you Red Wall readers, thanks for stopping by! To anyone interested in participating next month, make sure you have a little sit down with Sara. You shall know her by her snuggy. 

20sb Vlog day

Alooooha
Sorry for all my wayward glances in your non-direction, internet. There have been many balls aloft and I naturally was waiting for the rotten tomatos to rain upon me before I mentioned them. More about that just after a short message from our friends at 20sb:


This video post is part of 20SB’s Vlog Day and the topic is “Introduce Yourself”…anyone can participate! Details are here."


Ok, that was me. But if you're a blogger and you're looking to get more looks and you're looking to make more cool online friends, *sucks the spit from retainer* then you really should be on 20sb.


My next post will be the KROD but I promise a full disclosure after that. There is much to say. As the Dude would put it, "Lots of ins, lots of out...lots of what have yous."  There may even be some photographic evidence!

Afternoon Winners

With a round of 53 (-17), Team Subaru, captained by South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier, wins the afternoon session.

Team Subaru
Pete Falcone, Steve Spurrier, Jaws,
Subaru President Curt Allen, Randall Clouser & Chick Lee


Click here for a list of award winners

Supporting the Cause

The Jaws Youth Playbook and the entire Jaworski family thanks all of the event sponsors. Without their support it wouldn't be possible for the foundation to raise nearly $3.5 million over the last 27 years.

Thanks to the following:




Media Frenzy

The Mike Missanelli Show Broadcasting Live

Former NBA Player Gerald Henderson Chats with Mikey Miss

Broncos QB Brady Quinn Sits with ESPN

Good Times

Sonny Canesi Celebrates with Jaws

WIP Radio Host/Former Eagles LB Ike Reese (l)
and Flyers Broadcaster Steve Coates

Anthony Falco & Ken Bartee Enjoying Rocky Patel
Cigars and a shot of Johnnie Walker

Nike Nirvana

The Nike Gifting Suite is buzzing with business as players use their Nike Bucks to buy the latest Nike golfing gear and apparel.

Nike Tent

Ed Suydam & Mike Leber Cashing in their Nike Bucks

NFL Network Analyst Mike Mayock Grabs Nike Golf Balls

Miss NJ Gets Around

After spending a few hours at the the Viking Cooking School Class with RJCGC guests and professional chefs, Miss New Jersey Ashleigh Udalovas makes an appearance at the awards ceremonies of the Kick-Off tournament.

Viking Cooking School Class

Miss New Jersey with third place finishers Rowson Electric Inc.
(l-r) Bob Holdstein, Bob Goodwin, Miss NJ, Dave Rowson & Larry Dalton


Bob Goodwin Gets an Autograph from Udalovas

After being razzed by his teammates, Goodwin says, "it's no problem, my wife is sitting right here."

Morning Winners

With a round of 55 (-15) Team Fieldstone, captained by Terry Bradway of the NY Jets, is the winner of the morning session.

Award Presenter Sal Paolantonio (l) and Terry Bradway (r)
sandwich the rest of the winning team of Art Corsini Jr., Rob Corsini,
Steve Cara & JohnTomasssetti

Jaws Attack

Team Jaws
(l-r) Charles Geib, Sonny Canesi, Jaws,
Tim Hutchinson, Louis Kuchler

Iron Strikes

Jaws Watching Clutch Hutch

Vick's Sticks

Michael Vick Pulls Out the Driver

Media Session

Posing Before Play

Afternoon Action

Corral of Carts

The second shotgun start features more big names including host Ron Jaworski. Some of the names joining Jaws on the ACCC include:

Eagles QB Michael Vick
Falcons QB Joe Flacco
Patriots QB Brian Hoyer
Cardinals DE Calais Campbell
Bills TE Jonathan Stupar
South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier
Super Bowl Winning Coach Dick Vermeil

Hoyer & Spurrier