Like a Rolling Stone

             
"A rolling stone gathers no moss"-Publius Syrus (attributed)

A picture taken from the top of Nantes' only skyscraper, the Tour de Bretagne (my picture pales in comparison). Several of us went to the bar at the top called "Le Nid" (The Nest); view's only thing you get for free, but what a view it is...

House Wolves and Tram Duels

Unlike the girl in Dylan's epic contribution to rock and roll (Edie Sedgwick?), I'm trying to take the ancient wisdom of that age-old adage to heart. As much as I do love fast-moving things, I'm doing my best to establish a life here, whether it lasts one year, two years, or indefinitely. Ha, as the British might say, I'm getting stuck in.

I have much to report, but I'll save the text heavy posting for next week (my first holiday, Toussaint, French All-Saints). One amusing encounter I must share though comes from my time on the trams. As  I was riding home from meeting my friend Rachel's wonderful new dog, Ty Loup (Ty=house in Breton Loup=wolf in French, fine name for a fine dog), I found myself surrounded by a pack of drunk French teenagers. One of them politely asked me if they could take over the previously empty tram car where I was situated, and after smiles and back pats, his friends were involved in what I can only describe as something resembling combat in the Thunderdome of Mad Max lore. Two of the group were swinging from overhead handrails, kicking each other while the others chanted (about like this, only in French http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmRAiUPdRjk). The TAN officer near the conductor's compartment took a single glance at the mortal combat and shot me a look, a mixture of fear and disgust, that practically cried out "I don't get paid enough for this shit" as he retreated into the compartment and sealed the door. Haha, Vive la France, a fine place to root oneself.        

As for their game, I can't tell you who won, but considering that they were all drunk and riding illegally, "when you ain't got nothing, you got nothing to lose."

Cordialement,

John



P.S:

(A more terrestrial view of the same bridge, the Éric Tabarly)

("Armored" blinds deployed)

(Our entry gate)

(Outside corridor...the closet that once held the rat is ahead to the left)

("Living Room" haha...)

(My purple and white bed arrangement...I burned my beloved Sewanee blanket in a dryer, so it doesn't "glow" like it used to, but it's still warm).

 (Far cry from five star dining, but this is the staple of my diet)

 (Rebecca and Jonathan's blessings, my Cheerios, and Mr. Hyde's Sewanee shot glass...blessings indeed)

(My secret supply of peanut butter, an exotic commodity in France that I'm saving it for fellow ex-pats. Good vintage on those Cliff Bars). 

(Easley and Dan Dan....)

(:37....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7X5s5vacIU)