Long time no blog

I heard myself say in the weekend that I crave writing.

Considering my increasing knowledge of grammatical tenses, I feel I should perhaps correct this statement.

I craved writing. I use to crave writing.
One of these, perhaps both of those are correct.

Not sure what happened. But it really is turning into a long forgotten past time at the moment. I think alot of things are becoming long forgotten sadly. As I sit down to write this, I can honestly say I have no idea what I am about to write about. I can't think of anything entertaining, or interesting, or remotely exciting. I bet some people are beginning to even wonder if I actually am living in Paris.

Patrice (the owner of the pub downstairs) continues to feed me beer, and not allow me to leave the pub when planned. This has resultingly meant drunken haze's are acquired, trains almost missed but some fantastic times. It's amazing how you can enjoy your time with someone so much, when you cannot speak the same language. Although he has managed to teach me a few bits and pieces. Usually through faults in my french I have learnt new words as he cracks up laughing at me, and then explains. And then continues to take the piss out of me the next time I see him. And then often, the next time again. Good thing he gives me free beer.

Work is... well, work. With the more teaching I do, the more organised I am for lessons, therefore the easier it is becoming to prepare. Usual teaching story, you just repeat lessons with different people, adjust to level etc. I do have a 1 week camp with kids soon however. Oh god. Children. I have organised it through Erick and Linda who are becoming much like my adopted family here, and my home away from home. They are fairly casual people, and I am thinking this camp is going to be equally casual. Still, there is nothing worse than entering a classroom unprepared and so at this stage I am a little worried about the prep work. Espcially considering I haven't actually done any yet really.

It is through Erick and Linda that I am playing Touch. We had a tournament a couple of weeks ago which was fantastic. Gorgeous weather, fantastic pitches and an awesome after party. Of which I managed to completely write myself off at. Matt rang, or so he claims, while I was at the party. Memory loss isn't usually my style when drinking so that gives some idea of the state I was in. The winners of the tournament were a kiwi team from London who were awesome to watch. We ended up coming 4th. or 5th. Actually can't remember now. But we started strongly, however faulted towards the end of the day.

With the arrival of summer, comes the arrival of visitors from afar. Awesome. Summer offically began on Sunday just been. In celebration of this, Paris had the Festival of Music. Which bascially consists of music (shock horror) out on the streets, in bars and generally where ever one can go with music making abilities. Denis was down for the weekend so we spent the day walking around central Paris, drinking, watching and generally drinking some more. Contrary to our previous luck of beer drinking where we have paid 18euros for 2 beers, we found the cheapest Happy Hour rate ever. At 2.50euro for a pint, we were two happy people at the happy hour. God bless the irish pub. God bless the irish pub again for having an Oasis Tribute Band play, who then covered Oasis's version of Hey, Hey, My, My, which for those who don't know, is indeed Neil Young. And we do love Neil. And when I say 'we', I mean 'me'. And Nevster. Hi Dad. Bet you're not even reading this.

This weekend brings the arrival of Thorno. And I do love Thorno's world and Craig himself. Can't wait to hang out with him and attempt to stay out of trouble! It will be interesting. Tammy and Kate are also visiting and coming to stay this weekend, but staying for a whole week. They leave next Friday, and then Chanel arrives on Saturday leaving Tuesday, although I will have started my camp on the Monday. I get back from the camp on the Friday, then Mike and Ro (YAY BURGER) arrive on the Saturday for the weekend. Then its a short week at work and hopefully a trip to the North of France and Belgium the weekend after. Busy times people, busy times.

As for tonight, lets bring it back to the present time, I'm meeting a friend Alex for drinks and perhaps some food. There were plans of a picnic under the Eiffel Tour but its started raining. Boo. And I did just demolish a baguette so not so phased about the food part in the picnic now. Perhaps we shall visit Patrice. Yessss. Lets.

And so. Even more present, I got clothes to wash and feel like treating myself to a Leffe at the Tabac around the corner. Yet another lovely owner who is super smiley and friendly and shouts a 'Bonjour' each day I walk past. Never fails to make me smile.

And I like smiling. Smiling is good for the soul.